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After three successive defeats to start the 2024 Lanka Premier League season, the Dambulla Sixers are looking to build upon a much-needed victory as they face a strong Galle Marvels side at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Tuesday.
DATE & TIME: Tuesday 9th July, 2024: USA ET – 7:00am / USA PT – 10:00am / UK – 3:00pm / South Africa – 4:00pm / Pakistan – 7:00pm / India – 7:30pm / Sri Lanka – 7:30pm / Bangladesh – 8:00pm / Wednesday 10th July, 2024: Australia – 12:00am
VENUE: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla, Sri Lanka
WEATHER: 27c or 80.6 F with clear skies
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: USA – Not Televised / West Indies – Not Televised / UK – Not Televised / South Africa – Not Televised / Pakistan – Star Sports / India – Star Sports / Bangladesh – Star Sports / Australia – Not Televised / Sri Lanka – Star Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: USA – Not Available / West Indies – Not Available / UK – Not Available / South Africa – Not Available / Pakistan – Tapmad / India – Fancode / Bangladesh – Not Available / Australia – Kayo Sports / Sri Lanka – Dialog TV
DAMBULLA SIXERS FORM: FINDING THE RIGHT PACE
The Dambulla Sixers, as mentioned, had started with three successive defeats but then they faced the Colombo Strikers the other day and pulled off an excellent win. Restricting the Strikers to 185-6 in 20 overs, Kusal Perera continued his improved form by making 80 off 50 balls and helping the Sixers to reach their target in just 17.5 overs.
LAST THREE: WLL
GALLE MARVELS FORM: DEPTH IN THE BATTING
The Galle Marvels have had three wins and one loss in their opening four matches but their previous encounter was a similarly emphatic run chase. They held the defending champions Kandy Falcons to just 175-7 in 20 overs before Tim Seifert’s unbeaten 82 from just 48 deliveries saw them over the line and showed some much-needed depth to their batting lineup.
LAST THREE: WLW
DAMBULLA SIXERS BETTING ANALYSIS
The Dambulla Sixers have had an issue in starting slowly. For example, they scored 179-4 and gave up that in just 17.2 overs against Kandy before then hitting 191 in 20 overs but for the loss of just two wickets with that also being chased. Kusal Perera has begun to get going, though, with that aforementioned 80 as well as an unbeaten century and it would be foolish to back anyone bar Perera to be their top batter at this stage.
With the ball, Galle have actually had difficulty with seam bowling so far, which is an unusual occurrence for a tournament being held in Pallekele and Dambulla. As a result, backing Mustafizur Rahman to take two or more wickets in the match would be a worthwhile bet.
GALLE MARVELS BETTING ANALYSIS
As mentioned, Seifert getting in on the act and providing some middle order hitting is a major boost to the Marvels with a previous over reliance on opening pair Niroshan Dickwella and Alex Hales. If that top three fails, though, then Galle do not have a lot of late order hitting so either of those three to remain as their top scorer is a good bet with Hales consistently getting runs at the moment. That said, only Avishka Fernando of the Jaffna Kings has more runs than Seifer in the competition, with Seifert also scoring an unbeaten century before his match-winning 82.
Bowling-wise, Galle Marvels have two of the top three wicket takers. Colombo Strikers’ Shadab Lhan is currently on nine wickets with Galle duo Zahoor Khan and Isuru Udana level on eight. Since Dambulla started to score more quickly, though, pace has been their biggest weakness with both Asitha Fernando and Taskin Ahmed going well, at least in terms of wickets, so Khan or Udana to take another two wickets each would be a good value bet.
DAMBULLA SIXERS VS GALLE MARVELS EXPERT PREDICTION
A result in this one may well be a bit difficult to predict because the Dambulla Sixers started slowly, both in terms of the way in which they were trying to bat and also their results. However, the Kusal Perera-inspired adaptation does mean they are a little more unpredictable and, frankly, more fun. Galle have an excellent squad, with bat and ball, but are top heavy with the bat. That top heaviness, though, does mean they are always likelier to finish a game with the highest opening partnership and Dickwella and Hales to combine well, yet again, would be the best tip here – especially with Perera’s gung-ho nature likely to bring about a hit or miss element to the Sixers’ first-wicket stand.
DAMBULLA SIXERS VS GALLE MARVELS TOP TIP: GALLE MARVELS TO HAVE THE HIGHEST OPENING PARTNERSHIP