*Official* Sri Lankan Domestic Season 07/08

[chaminda_00]

Fixtures

Sat 29  
Wayamba v Basnahira South
R.Premadasa Stadium, Khettarama, Colombo
 
Sun 30 
Basnahira North v Ruhuna
Galle International Stadium
 
January 2008 
Wed 2 
Basnahira South v Kandurata
Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo
 
Wed 2  
Basnahira North v Wayamba
R.Premadasa Stadium, Khettarama, Colombo
 
Sat 5 
Ruhuna v Wayamba
Welagedara Stadium, Kurunegala
 
Sat 5  
Basnahira North v Kandurata
R.Premadasa Stadium, Khettarama, Colombo
 
Tue 8 
Basnahira North v Basnahira South
Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo
 
Tue 8  
Kandurata v Ruhuna
R.Premadasa Stadium, Khettarama, Colombo
 
Fri 11 
Basnahira South v Ruhuna
Galle International Stadium
 
Fri 11 
Kandurata v Wayamba
Welagedara Stadium, Kurunegala
 
Sun 13  
Final - TBC v TBC
R.Premadasa Stadium, Khettarama, Colombo
Team No 1 v Team No 2

Our main domestic season, Inter Provincial One Day Championship started about a week ago. Here a link to last season poor attempt of an official thread. Here is link the thread that talked about the change to domestic structure.

 

[chaminda_00]

Squads

Basnahira North: Avishka Gunawardene (vc), Ian Daniel, Shantha Kalavitigoda, Kaushal Silva (wk), Thilina Kandamby, Gayan Wijekoon, Malintha Gajanayake, Chaminda Vaas (c), Shanuka Dissanayake, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dammika Prasad, Dhanuka Pathirana, Ruwin Peiris, M Pushpakumara, Angelo Mathews

Basnahira South: Tillakaratne Dilshan (c), Dilruwan Perera, Malinda Warnapura (vc), Chamara Silva, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Hasantha Fernando, Ranga Dias, Malinga Bandara, Nuwan Zoysa, Ruchira Perera, Tharaka Kottehewa, Nisal Randika, Milinda Siriwardene, Suranga Lakmal, Chanaka Komasaru

Kandurata: Kanchana Gunawardene, Tharanga Paranavitana, Kumar Sangakkara (c/wk), Sajith Fernando, Chamara Kapugedera, Thilan Samaraweera, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Thilan Thushara, Suraj Mohamed, Akalanka Ganegama, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chinthaka Jayasinghe, Nadeera Nawela, Chaminda Vidanapathirana, Nisitha Rupasinghe

Ruhuna: Sanath Jayasuriya (c), Upul Tharanga (vc), Saman Jayantha, Indika de Saram (wk), Anil Rideegammanagedera, Gihan De Silva (wk), Kosela Kulasekara, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Sajeewa Weerakoon, Lasith Malinga, Sujeewa de Silva, Tillakaratne Sampath, Supun Nirmala, Sachithra Senanayake, Tharanga Lak(s)hitha

Wayamba: Mahela Udawatte, Michael Vandort, Jehan Mubarak (vc), Mahela Jayawardene (c), Lanka de Silva (wk), Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Farveez Maharoof, Shalika Karunanayake, Rangana Herath, Chanaka Welegedara, Ishara Amerasinghe, Harsha Vithana, Jeevantha Kulatunga, Sameera de Zoysa, Ajantha Mendis, Lakmal Perera

 

[chaminda_00]

Preview

Basnahira North
One paper probably one of weaker sides in the comp. They don't really have the high profiled batsmen that other sides have, but do have depth with some a lot all rounders. Bowling attack is probably as good as any side in comp, with the pace options of Vaas, Kulasekera, Prasad, Wijekoon and Matthews the best in the competition.

Key Man: Kaushal Silva, the star keeper batsmen that is trying to push for Prassana spot in the Test side. His probably the best batsmen in this team and a big series from him and he will go a long way keeping a below par batting line up on track.

Player to Watch Angelo Mathews, former SL Under 19 Captain. His yet to truely established himself at domestic level for Colts. But he has shown signs of brillance that could help turn this side from a decent side to a contender. Might find it hard to get a inital spot with the strength of this pace attack.

Basnahira South
A fairly strong batting line up which like most sides will rely a lot on their all rounders.But they do have a every strong top order lead by Dilshan and Chamara Silva. Bowling attack is pretty strong lead by Zoysa and Bandara. They should be there and there about, but might lack the star power to win the series.

Key Man: Prasanna Jayawardene, the improving keeper batsmen is likely to bat pretty high up the order for this team. His performance with the bat to support Dilshan, Silva and Warnapura key to get competitive scores with this side lacking specialist.

Player to Watch: Tharaka Kottehewa, the former SL Under 19 seamer, has had a massive season in the U23 comp and Limited Order competition. His started to reach his potential and turned from a player with potential to a contender for the national team. Will be looking to continue his form from earlier year and push for a Sri Lanka A spot.

Kandurata
Probably the only side in the comp that has a decent number of specialist batsmen and wont have to rely a lot on all rounders for the bulk of their runs. The bowling attack also has a fair few options and quality. Probably the best all rounder side in league, with depth as well. Will be hard to go past this side as favorites.

Key Man: Tharanga Paranavitana, the SSC opening batsmen, has a lot of pressure on his shoulders to get his side off to good start to get the most out of Sangakkara and Kapugedera. The only real weakness in this side is they don't have an experienced opening combination like most of sides. Paranavitana will be looking to have a big series to push for regular Sri Lanka A spot and prove his not FC specialist.

Player to Watch: Thilan Thushara, the fastest bowler in Sri Lanka cricket, yes faster then Malinga. His had some massive issues with no balls, wides, injuries and line and then over the last couple season after making his Test debut. But after an off season move from Colts to SSC, he looks like his getting his career back on track. He could be the x factor that takes this pace attack to another level.

Ruhuna
Not a great deal of depth or quality in the batting line up after Jayasuriya and Tharanga. A lot of pressure will be on experienced middle order of Jayatha, de Saram and Sampath (Dilshan bother btw) to score a lot of runs. But the key maybe all rounders Rideegammanagedera, Gihan De Silva, Kosela Kulasekara and Dilhara Lokuhettige to fill the gaps in this side. A strong bowling line up lead by Malinga and Sujeewa de Silva who have the potential to get on top of most batting line ups.

Key Man: Anil Rideegammanagedera, one of most consistent players in the domestic cricket over the last couple season. Mainly an all rounder but will play as pretty much a specialist batsmen, a role his played successful over the last couple seasons. Batting at about 4, he needs to score plenty of runs for his team to have a chance.

Player to Watch: Kosela Kulasekara, a talented young all rounder who like Matthews has struggled to consistently perform at domestic level. Has shown some signs of his potenetial to be an out and out all rounder in the last 12 months especially in the shorter form of game in both Twenty20 and 50 Over. Explosive batsmen when he gets going.

Wayamba
A very well balanced side with strong top order, strong middle order, good lower order, decent seam attack and soild spinners. Looking at their potential starting XI they do have the strongest side in the league, but they have little depth compared to other sides.

Key Player: Lanka De Silva, the experienced keeper batsmen, is probably the glue to the balance from their strong top order of Udawatte, Vandort, Muburak, Jayawardene and their all rounders.

Player to Watch: Shalika Karunanayake, the young SSC seamer is seen as one of the next big thing of Sri Lankan cricket. Started to reach his potential this season with both bat and bowl and will be looking to continue on his recent form.

 

[NUFAN]

Hey Chaminda could you tell me why Mahela Jayawardene isn't there?

 

[Prince EWS]

Hey Chaminda could you tell me why Mahela Jayawardene isn't there?

If you have a look at the draw, there's more than four teams. Obviously not all the squads have been released.

 

[chaminda_00]

Hey Chaminda could you tell me why Mahela Jayawardene isn't there?

Cus I forgot to post the last team Wayamba. He is there with the rest of his side now.

 

[NUFAN]

OK thank you. Hard to pick who'll dominate.

 

[chaminda_00]

All previews up now.

 

[chaminda_00]

Game One: Wayamba v Basnahira South
Wayamba 9/253: M Udawatte 55(66), L De Silva 48(44), J Muburak 43(64), J Kulatunga 44(56), M Bandara 4/41(10)
Basnahira South 126 All Out: M Siriwardene 32(39), S Karunanayake 5/58(10)

A classy knock from Mahela Udawatte set up a decent total for Wayamba. Udawatte was given very good support from De Silva, Muburak, Kulatunga. The South seamer got regular wickets, but struggled get wickets in a row and could never slow the rate run. The pick of the South bowlers was Bandara with four wickets. The chase for started in the worst possible with young seamer Karunanayake ripping through the Wayamba top order with five wickets. Wayamba never could recover from Karunanayake early burst and got rolled for 126.

Game Two: Basnahira North v Ruhuna
Ruhuna 102 All Out: Jayasuriya 27(33), C Vaas 3/11(5), Wijekoon 3/29(8), D Prasad 3/27(9)
Basnahira North 2/104(28.2): K Silva 39(50), T Kandamby 32(60),

Lead by North captain Vaas, Ruhuna's batting line up got ripped apart. Supported well by Wijekoon and Prasad, Ruhuna could never get back into the game. Ruhuna took three quick wickets to give themselves a chance, but Silva and Kandamby came together and guided North to an easy win.

 

[Dazza_20]

Udawatte and K.Silva should tour Australia for the One Dayers IMO. Both should push for test selection in 08' as well. Great to see a few good young fast bowlers in Sri Lanka at the moment also. Karunanayake has a great record for a 20 year old.

Currently, Sangakkara is pushing towards yet another century. 85 not out.

 

[chaminda_00]

Udawatte and K.Silva should tour Australia for the One Dayers IMO. Both should push for test selection in 08' as well. Great to see a few good young fast bowlers in Sri Lanka at the moment also. Karunanayake has a great record for a 20 year old.

Currently, Sangakkara is pushing towards yet another century. 85 not out.

Welcome to the fourm mate

Yeah I love for Udawatte to get into the squad ahead of MDK Perera, but Perera started to score some regular runs so he will be hard to get ahead of. Looks like Tharanga spot backup spot is up for graps. Silva looks like his got more chance to get a spot as middle order batsmen then a keeper batsmen these days. His probably next in line after Kapugedera.

Karunanayake has to be close to spot as backup bowler in the squad, mind you he should play a couple months with the A side first like all the other have done in past. Great prospect though.

 

[chaminda_00]

Game Three: Basnahira South v Kandurata
Basnahira South 7/271(50): D Perera 64(87), C Silva 98(127), N Zoysa 48(33), A Ganegama 3/66(10)
Kandurata 5/274(48.2): K Sangakkara 109(117), T Samaraweera 44(55), C Jayasinghe 64(60)

In the past these Inter-Provincial tournment have been known to unearth some talent that have being playing some decent cricket in domestic cricket for many seasons without ever getting notice due to the fact they might not be explosive batsmen, they don't bowl at express pace or spin the bowl a mile. Just your average cricket that knows how to get the most out his limited talents.

Last time we had this tournment Gayan Wijekoon stepped up with bat and bowl for North Central to push for eventually Test and Twenty20 call up. This match we saw the emergence of Chinthaka Jayasinghe with 1/25 with the ball off 10 overs and 64 not out with the bat. The match might be remembered for the classy knocks from Chamara Silva and Kumar Sangakkara, but this unheralded medium pace all rounder won the match for Kandurata.

The day started off with a brace of wickets from national team hopeful Ganegama who knocked over Daniel and Prassana Jayawardene for ducks. A quick cameo from South captain Dilshan got innings started for home team. But it was Perera and Silva who got South into a decent position with 90 wicket stand. Perera played what is fast becoming his tradition innings. He started off slowly after the lose of early wickets and then started to go after the bowlers as Silva played an anchor role.

Neither could get after Jayasinghe so instead they went after Muralitharan. These two weren't alone in their attack of Murali with Zoysa batting at 7 going after Murali as well in his innings 48 off 33 balls including two sixes. Zoysa innings was probably the difference between South posting a score of under 250 and 271 they finished with. A sign that Zoysa is reaching his potential he showed as youngster with his bat.

The chase for Kandurata didn't start off well for the vistors with both openers departed with the score at 2/40. It was left to experienced duo of Sangakkara and Samaraweera to lead the chase. Putting together a partnership of 97 they put the vistor in a comanding position with Sangakkara in great touch. Dilshan kept to thes two batsmen in check with tight bowling and eventually got the big wicket of Sangakkara on 109 caught behind.

Needing 8 an half an over in the last 5 overs, Kandurata needed something special. Up stepped Jayasinghe, who at one point in his innings had 30 odd of 50 balls. He eventually finished with 64 off 60 balls. In a partnership of 42 with fellow all rounder Weeraratne he scored 80% of runs, to guide Kandurata to an easy win with 10 balls to spare.

 

[chaminda_00]

Game Four: Basnahira North v Wayamba
Basnahira North 6/298(50): A Gunawardene 73(62), R Peiris 77(89), S Dissanayake 88(85), A Mendis 4/50(10)
Wayamba 198 All Out: J Muburak 57(82), M Pushpakumara 3/37(7.1)

Another professional performance from Chaminda Vaas lead Basnahira North, lead to an easy 100 run win for the home team. The day started with aggressive innings from forgotten man of opening batsmen debate Avishka Gunawardene. Gunawardene came out with all guns blazing Welegedara, Karunanayake and Maharoof to all parts of the ground during his innings of 73.

But once Gunawardene feel North found themselves in a spot a trouble at 4/105, with three out of the four wickets going to Sri Lanka's answer to Chris Harris, Ajantha Mendis. The in form slow medium bowler, who finished the domestic one day club season as leading wicketer, got Wayamba back in the match and on top.

Lead by 37 year old veteran batsmen Ruwin Peiris and in form all rounder Dissanayake, North started to rebuild their innings. The pair put together 120 runs for 5th wicket and took the game away from Wayamba. On the back of these three fifties North scored 298, 20 to 30 runs higher then a par score on the ground this season.

Wayamba chase started in the worst possible way with captain Chaminda Vaas taking 2 wickets in his first four balls. Udawatte and Jayawardene looked to steady the innings but with the run rate required increasing Jayawardene lost his wicket after seeing off Vaas.

With Vaas and Kulasekera both proving had to score off Udawatte and Muburak decided to go after change bowlers Prasad and Wijekoon. Prasad however got his man the important wicket of Udawatte for 38 off 39, caught behind. After being taken to by Udawatte in his first two overs for 18 runs, Wijekoon hit back with two wickets of Kulatunga and Maharoof.

At 6/114 all seem lost for Wayamba, but someone forgot to tell seamer Karunanayake, who came out and smashed a quick fire 29. But Wayamba needed a bigger innings from him to support Muburak, who feel soon after Karunanayake.

Off spinner Pushpakumara finished off proceeding with three tail end wickets, including Karunanayake. But it was the all round bowling performance of North that won them this match. Wayamba kept build decent partnerships throughout the innings. But as soon as they looked like getting back in the match. North took a couple wickets to put them back square one. Two very professional wins make North look like a tough side to beat.

 

[chaminda_00]

Points Table

Basnahira North: 2-0, 10 Pts
Wayamba: 1-1, 5 Pts
Kandurata: 1-0, 4 Pts
Basnahira South: 0-2, 0 Pts
Ruhuna: 0-1, 0 Pts

 

[Dazza_20]

with three out of the four wickets going to Sri Lanka's answer to Chris Harris, Ajantha Mendis. The in form slow medium bowler, who finished the domestic one day club season as leading wicketer, got Wayamba back in the match and on top.

His domestic one day record is outstanding. Averaging just 12 with the ball! Surely he can't be far away from higher honours in One Day cricket.

Sangakkara simply superb yet again.

 

[chaminda_00]

His domestic one day record is outstanding. Averaging just 12 with the ball! Surely he can't be far away from higher honours in One Day cricket.

He was a bit of a suprise selection for this comp and probably only made the starting XI cus Lokuarachchi is injuried. Will be interesting how he develops cus he has potential, but the way they use him will be the most interesting thing. He's to slow to play as seamer and he doesn't spin the bowl enough to play as spinner. He not great with the bat, so you won't play him as an all rounder. Maybe he will fill a similar role to Dharmensena.

 

[chaminda_00]

Game 5: Ruhuna v Wayamba
Wayamba 5/149(22): J Muburak 47*(47)
Ruhuna 104 All Out: K Lokuarachchi 4/24(4), F Maharoof 3/19(3.4)

Game 6: Basnahira North v Kandurata
Kandurata 5/296(50): K Sangakkara 96(84), T Paranavitana 75(114), C Kapugedura 60*(47)
Basnahira North 104 All Out: T Mirando 3/18(6)

Game 7: Basnahira North v Basnahira South
Basnahira North 9/207(50): R Peris 64(102), K Silva 43(62), M Siriwardene 6/40(10)
Basnahira South 4/175(28) Target 175 off 36 Overs: I Daniel 74(75)

Game 7: Kandurata v Ruhuna
Kandurate 8/284(49): T Samaraweera 71(96), C Kapugedura 63(65), T Mirando 47(27), S Senanayake 5/59(9)
Ruhuna 238 All Out: I de Saram 52(44), U Tharanga 50(33), T Mirando 3/29(8.4)

 

[chaminda_00]

Points Table (Going into final round)

Kandurata: 3-0, 13 Pts
Wayamba: 2-1, 10 Pts
Basnahira North: 2-2, 10 Pts
Basnahira South: 1-2, 5 Pts
Ruhuna: 0-3, 0 Pts

Kandurata have qualified for the final with either Wayamba or North to join them. With a game in hand Wayamba are the favorites but they are playing Kandurata.

 

[chaminda_00]

Turns out games have finished...

Game 9: Basnahira South v Ruhuna
Match Abandoned with a ball being bowled

Game 10: Kandurata v Wayamba
Wayamba 79 All Out: J Muburak 36(47), T Mirando 4/10(4), K Weeraratne 3/29(6)
Kandurata 2/80(19): T Paranavitana 31*(59), K Weerarante 26(42)


Nothing official but going by NRR I would say it will be a Kandurata/North final. Kandurata are the massive favorites.

 

[chaminda_00]

The jury probably still out on the success of this tournment, which was hampered quite a bit by rain and poor whether. Even playing some matches in dry areas didn't help things. The series once again should it has potential to allow players to push for national selection and improve the standard of competition. But it also should the massive gap in standard of the top players and the lesser players, with main established players dominating and only a few one off performances from unknown players. The lack of depth in batting in Sri Lanka was really exposed, mind you the pitches didn't help things, especially outside Colombo.

With the bat the quartet of Sangakkara (251 runs), Muburak (183), Kapugedera (142) and Silva (124) dominating with the bat. The likes of Udawatte, Paranavitana and Dilu Perera should selectors they might have what it takes to make it as Jayasuriya long term replacement. But all three lacked consistency to really put their name infront of selectors, with Daniel, Tharanga and Gunawardene also producing a couple quality innings. The 2nd openers spot and reserve postions are truelly up for graps and it wouldn't surprise me if Kapugedera or Muburak open in Australia to get both in the side.

Bowling wise spots are wide open with a couple players namely Thilan (Thurshara) Mirando putting their hand up for selection. With De Silva and Welegedara failing to make the most of their chances, Malinga still not in the best form. Maharoof still looking very underdone and lacking match fitness and Dilhara injuried. The seamers spot are wide open with only Vaas a certainty for Australia. Malinga and Maharoof will go on tour on the back of past performances. But that leaves two spots up for graps.

Going into the final Mirando is the leading wicket of the comp with 11 wickets. The selectors have been waiting a long time for him to mature and have given him plenty of chances in rep sides. He still rated as the fasted bowler in Sri Lanka and along with Zoysa has worked hard on getting more out his batting for SSC. His form with SSC and Kandurata with bat and bowl makes him the Noffke of Sri Lanka cricket ATM. I for one would be surprised if he doesn't get a run in Australia.

The last spot is the one that is anyone for the taking. Zoysa was player going into this tournment, but only had an above par series. Along with Mirando; Weeraratne and Ganegama lead the Kandurata attack exceptionally. Both have played for Sri Lanka before and it would surprise me if they got a chance. Ganegama extra pace may get him the nod over Weeraratne. But Weerartne all round ability with give the option of playing five bowlers.

The last guy that comes into the mix is youngster Karunanayake. If Vaas, Maharoof, Dilhara and Malinga were all fit. I wouldn't be surprised if they took him as 5th seamer. But with one or two maybe out it would be a big risk to take someone so inexperienced.