Kelani Cables and Star Garment via for Honda Trophy today
Kelani Cables PLC led by Roshan Balasuriya wil meet Star Garment Group Katunayake led by Isuru Abeygunawardena in the Mercantile ‘G’ division 25 over league cricket tournament final which is scheduled to be held today at MCA grounds Wijerama Mawatha from 10 a.m
Both teams have maintained an unbeaten record on this tournament and keen tussle can be expected at this final .In the league stage Kelani Cables PLC finished on top from group ‘ E’ recording five wins in a row beating Regnis Appliance , Metropolitan Group ,Orient Finance ,Sysco Labs and RR Donnelly also have maintained 15 points with net run rate +4.72. In the knock out stage Kelani Cables beat United Tractors in a thrilling super over in the pre quarter final while at the quarter final Kelani Cables beat MAS Active by 7 runs and semi finals Kelani Cables defeated CDB ‘ C’ by four wickets to enter the final.
Star Garment Group on top of group’ B’ recording five wins in a row while beating Incube Global ,ACL Cables ,MD Gunasena,Ceylon Biscuits and Pearson Lanka maintaining 15 points with the net run rate +2.07. At the knock out stage they beat Aitken Spence by 3 wickets in the pre quarter final while they beat Information Systems by 4 wickets in the quarter final and beat Amanda Bank by 3 wickets in the semi final to reach the final.
Kelani Cables have well balanced side packed with experience Ajith Ekanayake who was a former Sri Lanka leg spinner opens the bowling for Kelani Cables still among the wickets taking highest wickets 13 while equal highest by Mohammed Azeem also from Kelani Cables.Omesh Vidyarathna ,Dinuka Wanniarachchi also having 8 wickets each are the main Kelani Cables bowlers Deshan Jayakumara most successful Kelani Cables batter having 218 runs in 8 matches while Lahiru Jayasuriya (195) and Ushan Imesh (184)Tharusha Nethsara,,Risith Ishara ( 142) and Thilina Dilshan( 138) are their top order batters.
Skipper Isuru Abeygunawardena ,Viraj Jayanagar, Chathuranga Dilshan and Nimantha Perera and wicket keeper Shakila de Silva are key players of Star Garment Group. Mercantile Cricket Association ( MCA ) organised this G division tournament for the Honda Trophy whil Stafford Motor Company sponsored this tournament for 12 th consecutive year .
The match referee of the final U.S.E Perera will officiate the game.
Two teams
Kelani Cables from Roshan Balasuriya (Capt),Deshan Jakakumar, Isith Ishara,Tharusha Nethsara,,Thilina Dilshan, Lahiru Jayasuriya, Ushan Imesh, Omesh Vidyarathna, Mohammed Azeem, Dinuka Anupamal, Ajith Ekanayake, Piyumal Bandara, Chandima Ratnayake, Sampath Gunawardena, Suranga Pathirana
Star Garment Group from Isuru Abeygunawardena (Capt), Viraj Jayamaha, Chathuranga Dilshan, Nimantha Perera, Savindu Perera, Kanishka Gamage, Vinila Perera, Shakila de Silva, Ashan Nimantha, Asitha Palihakkara Dimantha Ruwanga, Sasindu Niranga, Manjula Sampath, Suresh Pathirana, Vishantha Anushka.