One drop batsman 24-year old Kamindu Mendis stole the show with a classy 58 off 40 balls packed with 9 boundaries in Kandy Falcons comprehensive 77-run triumph over Dambulla Aura in the D/N 11th match of the Lanka Premier League 2022 today. Mendis, a former Richmondite national youth discovery, taking strike with the Falcons on 48 for the loss of Pathum Nissanka’s wicket, dominated Dambulla’s attack being last out with the score 161 off 17 overs in fronting a second wicket partnership of 45 for the second wicket with Andre Fletcher (44 off 31) and 68 for the third wicket with Ashen Bandara (42 n.o.). West Indian import. Mendis, with 5 T20 internationals who last appearance was in 2021 against South Africa with a highest score of 41, did evoke the youth value he packs with a timely reminder to the selectors for a recall by his fluent effort. Fletcher hit 3 sixes and 4 boundaries while Bandara brought up his third consecutive 40-odd score in the tournament following his unbeaten 41 yesterday against Galle Gladiators. Dambulla Aura flopped for 116 in 14,2 against the foursome of Carlos Braithwaite who took 3 for 25, Chamindu Wijesinghe 3 for 25, Chamika Karunaratne 2 for 1 and Fabian Allen 2 for 5. Karunaratne was on song accounting for the first two wickets.
It was a fine come back by the Falcons following yesterday’s 14-run defeat to Galle Gladiators.
CHIEF SCORES: Kandy Falcons 193/3 (20 Overs) (Kamindu Mendis 58, Andre Fletcher 44, Ashen Bandara n.o. 42, Pathum Nissanka 26, Najibullah Zadran 16, Chaturanga de Silva 1/26, Pramod Madushan 1/39):Dambulla Aura 116 (20 Overs) (Hasaranga de Silva 25, Noor Ahmad 20, Bhanuka Rajapaksa 18, Paul van Meekeren n.o. 10, Carlos Braithwaite 3/25, Chamindu Wijesinghe 3/21, Chamika Karunaratne 2/1, Fabian Allen 2/5)