NSL 4-day tournament resumes today sans national players

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Following a near one month break for the National Super League 50-over tournament, the National Super League 4-day tournament resumes today with front runners Galle (51.680 points) and Kandy (49.695) clashing against each other at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Hambantota.

Both teams have played four matches each and only two points separate them. These two sides hold onto a 12-point advantage over the rest of the teams and will hope to broaden the margin further.

The other game starting today is between third placed Jaffna (37.630) and bottom of the table Colombo (16.955) at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

All four teams involved will be sans several national players who are on duty in Bangladesh playing in the three-match ODI series which began yesterday.

Galle are without all-rounder Dunith Wellalage and fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka, Kandy will miss the services of skipper Pathum Nissanka, his deputy Sahan Arachchige, all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne and fast bowler Lahiru Kumara, Jaffna will be sans batsmen Janith Liyanage and Sadeera Samarawickrama and fast bowler Pramod Madushan, and Colombo will have to do without opener Avishka Fernando, captain Kusal Mendis and vice-captain Charith Asalanka.

Defending champions Dambulla (35.055) who are without a game today are minus skipper Kamindu Mendis and spinner Akila Dananjaya. Dambulla who won the double last year – 4-day league and 50-over, retained the 50-over title last week defeating Kandy in a high scoring final at the R. Premadasa Stadium. They are currently not too happily placed at fourth position in the 4-day league but are gradually coming back to form having run up the highest total of the tournament so far – 619-8 against Jaffna at R. Premadasa Stadium before the tournament was halted to make way for the NSL 50-over tournament. 

The top two teams in the league standings qualify to play in the 4-day final at Pallekele starting 30 April.