LPL 2021: Match 2, Review: Phil Salt shines as Dambulla Giants thump Kandy Warriors

Phil Salt peppered a breath-taking 27-ball 67, laced with five sixes as Dambulla Giants defeated Kandy Warriors in the second fixture of the Lanka Premier League on the second day of the mega tournament at the R. Premadasa Stadium today.

The England born 25-year-old right-hand wicket-keeper set the tone in a pulsating 97-run partnership for the first wicket off 46 balls with Niroshan Dickwella (39).

The six power play overs realised 74 with Salt contributing 39 and Dickwella scoring 30. What would have been a magical three figure opening partnership was broken when Dickwella was caught trying to hit over mid-on by Angelo Perera off Lahiru Kumara. He hit 5 fours and a six.

Ramesh Mendis dominates for Dambulla Giants

Ramesh Mendis, who made an unbeaten 21 off 11 balls inclusive of 2 sixes and a boundary, came back to bamboozle Kandy Warriors to decimate the frontline.

The 26-year-old right arm off spinner struck double blows removing Kamindu Mendis for 17 and the Warriors skipper Angelo Perera for 24 in the space of three balls in the second and fourth deliveries of the 10th over to finish with figures of 3 for 21. Quickie Nuwan Pradeep chipped in with 3 for 31.

Dambulla Giants ran up 190 for 8 off 20 and had a tight rein over Kandy Warriors. Rovman Powell’s 42 off 21 with 4 sixes and a boundary, Sachindu Colombage’s 27 not out and Ishan Jayaratne’s 18 weren’t enough.

Phil Salt had done enough to rub salt into the opposition for the Englishman with three career ODIs to take the Player of the Match award.

The Warriors’ net run rate has been hampered big time as it is at -1.000. They are next scheduled to lock horns with the Galle Gladiators on December 7 at the same venue. The Warriors will be looking to bounce back in the competition and improve their net run rate to some extent.

The Giants, on the other hand, went to second on the points table in the championship. They have a tough challenge at hand in their next game as they will be facing Jaffna Kings, the defending champions.