2020 Lanka Premier League Semi-Final – Dambulla Viiking vs Jaffna Stallions Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Dambulla Viiking vs Jaffna Stallions taking place? Monday, 14th December, 2020 – 13:30 (UK)
Where is Dambulla Viiking vs Jaffna Stallions taking place? MRIC Stadium, Hambantota, Sri Lanka
Where can I get tickets for Dambulla Viiking vs Jaffna Stallions? No tickets are available as this tournament is taking place without spectators
What channel is Dambulla Viiking vs Jaffna Stallions on? This match will be televised live on Sky Sports Cricket
Where can I stream Dambulla Viiking vs Jaffna Stallions? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live via the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
DAMBULLA VIIKING
- Dambulla Viiking have had a mixed tournament so far and their last group stage match summed up their performances so far as their batting was exceptional with some brilliant hitting but their bowling was far from stellar and they could not defend 203 against Colombo Kings.
- Their batsmen have combined for eight fifties in the tournament so far and three of their batsmen have scored more than 200 runs each – something no other team has managed – and they will be confident that their batsmen can match this strong Jaffna Stallions line-up.
- They are led by skipper Dasun Shanaka who has been a star with the bat coming in to finish strongly though they will hope for a bit more from their bowlers and it will be interesting to see if they start both speed merchants Rajitha and Kumara.
JAFFNA STALLIONS
- Jaffna Stallions started the LPL in sensational form winning their first four matches – one of which was an emphatic 66-run win against Dambulla - but they have faded in recent games with their batting struggling to produce.
- Avishka Fernando and Thisara Perera have been their two key men with the bat but their form has dried up a little and they desperately need that duo along with Shoaib Malik to produce the goods here.
- Dhananjaya de Silva has been held out of the last two matches due to an injury concern but he is fit to come back in and they will hope their elite bowling attack led by the impressive Wanindu Hasaranga can lead them to victory.
THE PREDICTION
This promises to be another fascinating semi-final encounter between two quality sides that have plenty of quality but some weaknesses that could prove to be their fatal flaw. Dambulla’s batting has been arguably the most solid and consistent in the tournament throughout but their bowling attack has struggled to back that up at times. Jaffna’s batting has been flaky of late but their bowling attack is the best in the tournament and can win any game. While their batting has struggled of late, they have big game players like Avishka Fernando, Thisara Perera and Shoaib Malik who should raise their game here. They can produce with the bat and the bowling unit will back them up. They dominated the first game against Dambulla and had them 42/3 in the second game before it was rained off, and their greater all-round strength should see them progress and reach the final.
