Kandy Falcons vs Colombo Stars, LPL 2022, Today Match Prediction 22 December 2022

kdw vs cls Match Prediction & Analysis

The Lanka Premier League is now just one game away from the Final. While the defending champions have made it to the final, the Stars and Falcons will fight it out for the remaining Final berth.

Both of these teams have struggled to score runs at this venue and their batters looked comfortable only while chasing a low total. Kandy Falcons have lost only two games so far this season. Apart from the hiccup in Qualifier 1, they’ve been outstanding with 7 wins from 8 matches in the league stage. 

Colombo Stars who made it to the Eliminator with just 3 wins from 8 games look very promising with their overall squad strength. Their bowlers are in great touch and it seems like they would give the Falcons a run for their money.

Falcons’ bowlers are also consistent and have a good record against Colombo Stars in LPL 2022. It will be a real test of the batters as two in-form bowling attacks fight it out in Qualifier 2.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Kandy Falcons Preview

The table toppers who finished with 7 wins from 8 matches lost their Qualifier 1 bout against the defending champions, Jaffna Kings. Falcons chased down 108 runs against Colombo Stars in their first game in Colombo this year. Kamindu Mendis was unbeaten on 51 off 48 balls in that successful run chase.

Since then, Kandy Falcons have played two matches and there hasn’t been a single 50+ score in their innings. The pitch at Colombo hasn’t been easy for the batters lately as it got slower. New batsmen need to stay on the crease a bit longer before they can play their strokes.

And there hasn’t been anyone in the Kandy Falcons lineup who could convert the starts into impactful innings. After Fletcher was out cheaply in the Qualifier match, Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis built a 50+ runs partnership for the 2nd wicket.

However, neither of these batters managed to score big and were dismissed in the same Over. There is depth in this batting lineup with Wanindu Hasaranga, Fabian Allen, and Chamika Karunaratne in the lower order. 

All of these players are handy with the bat and can make some significant contributions to the Kandy total. The Falcons would be better off sticking with Oshane Thomas instead of Carlos Brathwaite. 

Before Brathwaite replaced him in the last game, Thomas had picked 6 wickets in two matches at an economy of below 6.00. Hasaranga and Karunaratne are other in-form bowlers likely to make a big impact in this game.

Kandy Falcons Predicted Playing XI:

Pathum Nissanka, Andre Fletcher (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Ashen Bandara, Najibullah Zadran, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Fabian Allen, Chamika Karunaratne, Chamindu Wijesinghe, Isuru Udana, Oshane Thomas

Kandy Falcons Actual Playing XI:

Kamindu Mendis, Isuru Udana, Ashen Bandara, Carlos Brathwaite, Fabian Allen, Pathum Nissanka, ADS Fletcher, Wanidu Hasaranga, Oshane Thomas, Chamindu Wijesinghe, Chamika Karunaratne

Colombo Stars Preview

Colombo Stars have progressed to the second Qualifier on the back of a brilliant all-round performance in the Eliminator match. Ravi Bopara’s unbeaten 43 off 28 balls headlined the Stars’ run-chase as they sealed a 7-wicket win over Galle Gladiators. 

Now, it will be an interesting contest between the Stars and the Falcons. Though the Falcons’ batting graph has seen a decline of late, Colombo Stars have lost both of their encounters against Kandy so far.

However, the recent performance with both bat and ball must have boosted their confidence. Sending Ravi Bopara at number 4 would be a good option for the Stars in this game.

The all-rounder looks in good touch and would carry the momentum from the last game. Asalanka and Chandimal are the impact players in the top order and their poor form is a matter of concern for the Stars.

Kasun Rajitha, Mohammad Nabi, and Benny Howell delivered with the ball as expected after Angelo Matthews won the toss and opted to bowl first. The result of the game prior to the Eliminator on the same ground may have affected the Stars’ decision after winning the toss.

It is not going to be easy for the batters and the spinners will be key. Matthews will expect his batters to rise to the occasion if Colombo Stars are put to bat first.

Colombo Stars Predicted Playing XI:

Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews (c), Charith Asalanka, Ravi Bopara, Nishan Madushka (wk), Benny Howell, Mohammad Nabi, Dominic Drakes, Kasun Rajitha, Jeffrey Vandersay, Suranga Lakmal

Colombo Stars Actual Playing XI:

Ravi Bopara, Nishan Madushka, Angelo Mathews, Benny Howell, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Dominic Drakes, Seekkuge Prasanna, Mohammad Nabi, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

Traditionally, the pitch has been batting-friendly. However, lately, the bounce has been low and the surface has become slower as the match progressed. It isn’t that easy to play strokes freely at this pitch and the bowlers are likely to have a great day. The weather is expected to be cloudy on the match day with a high of 24 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

R. Premadasa Stadium will host the Qualifier 2 match this season. The average 1st innings score at this venue in domestic T20s is 147 runs. It is definitely not a winning total as Kandy Falcons found out in their Qualifier 1 game against Jaffna Kings.

Toss: To Bowl

Teams batting second have won the last 4 consecutive games at this venue and a total of 5 of the 8 matches this season. Though a 160+ score seems like a winning total at this ground, it hasn’t been easy for teams to cross that mark. Bowling first would be the top choice of both captains if they win the toss.