2020 Lanka Premier League – Colombo Kings vs Dambulla Viiking Preview & Prediction

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THE FACTS

When is Colombo Kings vs Dambulla Viiking taking place? Friday 11^th December, 2020 – 14:30 (UK)

Where is Colombo Kings vs Dambulla Viiking taking place? MRIC Stadium, Hambantota, Sri Lanka

Where can I get tickets for Colombo Kings vs Dambulla Viiking? No tickets are available as this tournament is taking place without spectators

What channel is Colombo Kings vs Dambulla Viiking on? This match will be televised live on Sky Sports Cricket

Where can I stream Colombo Kings vs Dambulla Viiking? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live via the Sky Go app

THE LOWDOWN

COLOMBO KINGS

• Colombo’s six-run victory against Jaffna Stallions on Wednesday means that the Kings have the opportunity to win the group as this game will decide who tops the inaugural LPL ladder.
• That victory was inspired by a devastatingly impressive unbeaten century from Englishman Laurie Evans as he scored 108 off just 65 balls as Dinesh Chandimal, Daniel Bell-Dell-Drummond and Angelo Mathews scored a combined 38 runs with Mathews’ strike rate of 107.14 being the only one of the three to get above a run a ball.
• Russell contributed 21 not out from 14 balls before taking an expensive but decisive 3-46 to take the wickets of Shoaib Malik and Thisara Perera in particular and the likelihood is that they go unchanged for this game.

DAMBULLA VIIKING

• Dambulla will top the group with a win in this game or, as was the case against Jaffna, a rain-affected match leading to no result.
• The Viiking may be without Oshada Fernando for this match as he is a doubt although they did confirm after the last game that they are fully fit now but they decide not to risk him. They still haven’t necessarily settled on a top order as Paul Stirling has failed with the bat in each of the three matches he has played including in their last game in which he was bowled by Mohammad Amir for the first ball of the innings.
• An all-rounder is likely to come into the side whilst Tharanga moves up to open with Dickwella and Perera moves to three with Shanaka at four and Patel at five. That all-rounder is likely to be Anwar Ali as he was dropped after that 7.2 over game against Jaffna despite not bowling or batting.

THE PREDICTION

This is a match between the top two sides in the competition and it is fitting that it is the final match of the league stage. It adds extra importance that either side can win the group and that would set up a semi-final with the Galle Gladiators; a side that had lost their opening five matches. Colombo’s extremely settled top and middle order makes up for a sometimes inadequate bowling line-up so the Kings’ will be confident of progressing to the semi-finals as group winners.