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The defending champions the Kandy Falcons started their campaign well but are now badly struggling and underperforming as we head through the mid-way stage of the league campaign as they now take on an impressive Galle Marvels top order.
DATE & TIME: Wednesday 10th 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 / Thursday 11th July, 2024: Australia – 12:00am
VENUE: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla
WEATHER: 32c or 89.6 F with clear, sunny 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
KANDY FALCONS FORM: BIG WIN LAST TIME OUT
The Kandy Falcons began the defence of their title with a comfortable six-wicket victory over the Dambulla Sixers before suffering back-to-back losses against the Colombo Strikers before being hammered by the Galle Marvels. However, last time out, they chased 225 in just 18.2 overs to re-establish some batting dominance and boost their confidence.
LAST THREE: WLL
GALLE MARVELS FORM: FALTERING LINEUP
The Galle Marvels’ most recent outing was a very different experience as they suffered a 25-run loss to a poor Dambulla Sixers side in Dambulla, being bowled out for 135 and 72 of those 135 runs being scored by eight, Isuru Udana. The Marvels had, as mentioned, defeated the Falcons, though, and have won three of their opening five matches.
LAST THREE: LWL
KANDY FALCONS BETTING ANALYSIS
The Kandy Falcons won the 2023 Lanka Premier League with their captain Wanindu Hasaranga being the top run scorer and leading wicket taker in the tournament. Hasaranga hasn’t been at his scintillating best but has had his moments. Other leaders within the side, though, such as Dasun Shanaka and Dinesh Chandimal, have consistently stepped up. Chandimal scored 89 from 37 balls the other day and is in fine touch so him to go big again with a 30+ score is worth backing.
With the ball, the Falcons will be looking to expose the top order of Galle early and get through to the weaker middle-to-lower order. Shanaka will once again be key ad he took 3-40 as he continues to open the bowling for the Falcons with Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis going wicket-less against Jaffna Kings. With the likes of Niroshan Dickwella, Alex Hales and Tim Seifert likely to go after Shanaka, chances will be there so Shanaka to be the Falcons’ best bowler in the match seems a good bet.
GALLE MARVELS BETTING ANALYSIS
As mentioned, the Galle Marvels have a bit of an over-reliance on their top three with Niroshan Dickwella, Alex Hales and Tim Seifert a top three that is both formidable on paper and all three in generally good nick. However, with the pressure on them to take things deep, that may mean only one goes hard and the likelihood that is Dickwella so either Hales or Seifert to end up as their best batter in the match would seem a better bet for this one.
With the ball, the Marvels have the leading wicket-taker in the tournament in Isuru Udana, who is on ten. The Marvels have been reliant on pace with some fairly weak spin bowling and that may not be the best method with Kandy ending pace to all parts against Jaffna the other day. A spinner from Galle to take advantage would be Maheesh Theekshana, albeit out of form. The Sri Lankan international to take two or more wickets may be worth a bet for this one.
KANDY FALCONS VS GALLE MARVELS EXPERT PREDICTION
This one is a little unpredictable. The Kandy Falcons have been by no means as formidable as they appeared last season and even in their opening game of this tournament but their recent chase of 225 at a canter has helped the perception of their quality to rise once again. If they can get through the Galle top order then, as showed the other day, there isn’t much left to go at and that is even with some heroics lower down the order. Given that, the Falcons should be able to outscore the Marvels whether they bat or bowl first.
KANDY FALCONS VS GALLE MARVELS TOP TIP: KANDY FALCONS TO WIN