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Dambulla Sixers began their 2024 Lanka Premier League campaign with a fairly heavy defeat to Kandy Falcons, whilst the Jaffna Kings also started with a loss, albeit by a much slender margin, against Galle Marvels.
DATE & TIME: Wednesday 3rd July, 2024: USA ET – 2:30am / USA (CST) – 4:30am / USA PT – 5:30am / UK – 10:30am / South Africa – 11:30am / Pakistan – 2:30pm / India – 3:00pm / Sri Lanka – 3:00pm / Bangladesh – 4:00pm / Australia – 7:30pm
VENUE: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla, Sri Lanka
WEATHER: 32c or 89.6 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 / Sri Lanka – Dialog TV Bangladesh – Not Available / Australia – Kayo Sports
DAMBULLA SIXERS FORM: BOUNCING BACK
The Dambulla Sixers were carried through to a total of 179-4 in their opening game against defending champions Kandy Falcons by New Zealand international Mark Chapman, who notched 91 not out from 61 balls. However, that score seemed very light by the end of the game when Kandy chased it down in just 17.2 overs.
LAST THREE: LLW
JAFFNA KINGS FORM: RECOVERING QUICKLY
Unlike the Dambulla Sixers, Jaffna Kings will consider themselves unfortunate to have been beaten in their opener, losing by five wickets to Galle Marvels off the final of the ball of the match. They scored 177-7 in their 20 overs before Sahan Arachchige managed to score a boundary off the final ball of the match with the Kings requiring three to win.
LAST THREE: LLL
DAMBULLA SIXERS BETTING ANALYSIS
In their opening match, the Dambulla Sixers were without Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran, who enjoyed an excellent ICC T20 World Cup. That meant only two of their six batters scored over 11 runs after falling to 25-4. There is an expectation that Zadran does come in, though, and him to be their top run scorer would be worth a bet if he does indeed replace someone at the top.
As for the bowling department, the Strikers pretty much all went around the park with the exception of Akila Dananjaya, who took 1-29 off his four overs. With spin expected to be the dominant force in this tournament, backing Dananjaya to once again be their best bowler would be worth a bet.
JAFFNA KINGS BETTING ANALYSIS
The Jaffna Kings’ opener saw three of the top five score over 30 runs, with both Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando getting half-centuries. Surprisingly, the two to miss out were Kusal Mendis and Rilee Rossouw. In such a volatile format, though, getting on a bad trot for players of that quality seems unlikely and Mendis to be the Kings’ best bat here would be good value.
Dhananjaya de Silva was controlled in his four overs, leaking just 16 runs and taking one wicket, but their best threat may be with pace after Dambulla lost all four wickets to seam bowling in the powerplay last time out. That means Jason Behrendorff to take two or more wickets in the match may well be worth a punt for this one.
DAMBULLA SIXERS VS JAFFNA KINGS EXPERT PREDICTION
This one seems like it could be quite an even contest after the two sides both started with defeats and both sides will be looking to bounce back. Dambulla Sixers looked a little light with the bat, whereas the Jaffna Kings scored quite steadily before falling to the impressive Alex Hales, who scored a match-winning 65 for Galle. Given the nature of their losses, leaning towards Jaffna Kings would appear the way to go for this one.
DAMBULLA SIXERS VS JAFFNA KINGS TOP TIP: JASON BEHRENDORFF TO TAKE 2+ WICKETS