Unbeaten Greys take on in form Reds in SLC T-20 final

The Invitational T-20 series conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket in a bio-secure bubble at Pallekele has been a good opportunity for several young players and discarded seniors to showcase what they have got to offer just prior to the upcoming bilateral series against South Africa at home. The final game of the T20 series will take place today with SLC Greys skippered by Dasun Shanaka taking on SLC Reds captained by Dinesh Chandimal.

Rain and a Covid scare did threaten to derail the tournament but a lot of effort has been put in to successfully complete this event in these testing times and the selectors have been able to take a look at some young talents.

With Sunday’s penultimate group game between Greys and Blues getting washed out, Reds had to win their game against Greens to book their place in the final.

In a game reduced to 15 overs, Reds restricted Greens to 114 and then reached the target with six wickets and three balls to spare.

With Avishka Fernando and Chandimal adding 76 runs for the first wicket in 49 balls, the stage was set for rest of their batsmen to knock off the target and Asela Gunaratne with an unbeaten 14 guided his side through. Chandimal top scored with 40 off 32 balls with four boundaries.

Accordingly, Greys with an unbeaten record topped the group with four wins and two washed out games collecting ten points.

Reds, despite a poor start, finished with three wins and a no result game collecting seven points while Blues finished third with two wins, two losses and two no results. Greens failed to win a game.

Dasun Shanaka (210), Kamindu Mendis (193) and Dinesh Chandimal (169) topped the run charts while Himesh Ramanayake (7), Seekkuge Prasanna (7) and Chamika Karunaratne (5) topped the bowling charts. Interestingly, all three bowlers represent Reds.

For the finals, while Greys have got all their bases covered with a well drilled outfit, Reds have been gaining momentum in their last three games and they will be tough opponents to beat.

While skipper Dasun Shanaka is the key man for Greys, hard hitting opening batsman Avishka Fernando is the key player for Reds. While Greys have the edge in batting, Reds bowling is formidable.

Meanwhile the Proteas will leave for Colombo on Wednesday and will resume training here once their quarantine is over.

The tourists will play three ODIs and three T-20 Internationals. This series was set to be played last year but was pushed back due to COVID.

The first ODI begins on 2nd September.