2020 Lanka Premier League – Dambulla Viiking vs Kandy Tuskers Preview & Prediction

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THE FACTS

When is Dambulla Viiking vs Kandy Tuskers taking place? Thursday 3^rd December, 2020 – 14:00 (UK)

Where is Dambulla Viiking vs Kandy Tuskers taking place? MRIC Stadium, Hambantota, Sri Lanka

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

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

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

THE LOWDOWN

DAMBULLA VIIKING

• ● Dambulla’s start to the tournament has been intriguing with two victories and a defeat but one of those victories was the result of the Duckworth-Lewis method in a match that could easily have gone the other way.
• ● A comprehensive bowling display against Colombo in the last match gave them victory in their most recent game as Anwar Ali, Samit Patel and Malinda Pushpakumara spun Dambulla to victory in that match.
• ● The concern for Dambulla is the potentially growing over-reliance on their middle-order hitters of Samit Patel and captain Dasun Shanaka as they desperately need their openers to start contributing more.

KANDY TUSKERS

• ● Kandy are proving to be one of the more unpredictable teams in the competition so far as they have managed one win and three defeats from their opening four games but their performances have fluctuated between brilliant and poor.
• ● Unfortunate defeats to Colombo and Dambulla were put right with a well-executed and ruthless victory over Galle but then a crushing 54-run defeat to Jaffna has set them back again.
• ● The biggest concerns for Kandy would be the death bowling as two of their three matches has now involved the Tuskers allowing sides to get away to decent scores after being pegged back in the powerplay and they will hope to be able to count on Dale Steyn following his arrival in the country although much depends on the length of his quarantine.

THE PREDICTION

Kandy sit with just one win from their four games so far but some of their performances have been better than that record suggests. In the first match between these two, a rain-affected match gave Dambulla a fortunate result as Kamindu Mendis got out 6 balls before the curtailment leading to the Viikings then being pushed ahead on Duckworth-Lewis. The Tuskers will want to avenge a poor start to the tournament and, in particular, this defeat to Dambulla. As the one of the early favourites, they will be backed to do so but that pre-tournament credit and trust in Kandy us thinning. More of their players have reasonable form while Dambulla are relying heavily on some key players with many out of form. Kandy are capable of avenging the early loss and getting back to winning ways here.