SLC Invitational T20 League 2022 concluded yesterday (16th August), with SLC Reds crowned champions of the tournament. The finalists SLC Reds and SLC Blues were the dominant forces throughout the tournament, thus ThePapare.com’s Team of the tournament features a number of their key players.
1. Kusal Mendis (C)
4 Matches | 206 Runs | SR 123.35 | HS 86
SLC Reds’ skipper Kusal Mendis had an excellent tournament with the bat. His 86 runs off 60 balls against SLC Blues in a must-win encounter that secured his team’s place in the final was his standout performance in the tournament.
2. Lasith Croospulle
4 Matches | 113 Runs | SR 129.88 | HS 54
Mendis’ opening partner at SLC Reds finds himself opposite Mendis in our team of the tournament as well. Croospulle and Mendis consistently produced brisk openings stands for the Reds setting the foundation for big scores.
3. Niroshan Dickwella (WK)
3 Matches | 103 Runs | SR 122.61 | HS 76*
The left hander was prolific with the bat for SLC Greens. His match winning knock of 76 runs off 56 balls against the star-studded SLC Reds bowling lineup was one of the best individual batting performances of the tournament. Dickwella will also don the gloves in our Team of the Tournament.
4. Thanuka Dabare
3 Matches | 104 Runs | SR 140.54 | HS 66
Croospulle taking the opening slot and Dickwella slotted at No.3 position means that opening batter Dabare has to slip down the batting order in our team. The fourth highest run-getter of the tournament, Dabare maintained a strike-rate above 140 throughout the tournament and his stroke-play with the bat was pleasing to the eye. Playing for the unfancied Greys, his 40-ball 66 against the strong bowling outfit of SLC Greens was a treat to watch.
5. Wanindu Hasaranga
4 Matches | 99 Runs | HS 69 | 3 Wickets | BBI 2/18
Leg-spinning all-rounder Hasaranga, who usually bats lower down the order for the national team, got a promotion in the SLC Reds batting order, slotting in at No.5. Renowned for his magic with the ball, Hasaranga stood up with the bat in the tournament, playing two crucial knocks for the Reds. His match-winning knock of unbeaten 69 runs off 41 balls in a must-win game against SLC Blues was his standout performance.
6. Ashen Bandara
4 Matches | 134 Runs | SR 117.54 | HS 40*
The second highest run-getter of the tournament behind Mendis, Bandara was a consistent performer with the bat for SLC Blues. He made some invaluable contributions in the middle order for Blues, helping his side reach the final of the tournament.
7. Suminda Lakshan
4 Matches | 5 Wickets | Average 17.20 | Econ 6.14
The third highest wicket-taker of the tournament, Lakshan was a key to SLC Blues’ success with the ball throughout the tournament. As a bowling all-rounder, he didn’t have much luck with the bat but was one of the vital cogs of Blues’ bowling lineup who could get them key strikes while maintaining a decent economy rate.
8. Chamika Karunaratne
4 Matches | 4 Wickets | Average 23.25 | Econ 7.54
Karunaratne was the most successful seamer for SLC Blues in the tournament with some impressive spells. As a bowling all-rounder, he too didn’t fire with the bat, but was a key pacie who was reliable in the wicket-taking department. The spell (2/22) against SLC Greys was his standout performance with the ball.
9. Maheesh Theekshana
4 Matches | 5 Wickets | Average 17.60 | Econ 5.86
Since SLC Reds’ main spin weapon Hasaranga didn’t have the greatest of tournaments with the ball, Theekshana was their go-to bowler. Tasked with bowling in the powerplay, Theekshana was masterful in providing early breakthroughs for the Reds in their title winning campaign and finished as the 4th highest wicket-taker of the tournament.
10. Asitha Fernando
4 Matches | 10 Wickets | Average 11.00 | Econ 6.87
A tournament that was dominated by the spinners, speedster Asitha Fernando stood above the rest to win the Player of the Tournament award becoming the highest wicket-taker of the tournament. Fernando is more associated with being a red-ball specialist, but showed his skills with the white-ball, providing much-needed venom to SLC Reds’ bowling lineup.
11. Praveen Jayawickrama
4 Matches | 7 Wickets | Average 15.28 | Econ 6.68
Jayawickrama who finished as the second highest wicket-taker of the tournament, was SLC Blues’ main striker with the ball. The left arm spinner had the knack of getting wickets regularly and was instrumental in controlling the run rate of the opposition batting lineup. His match winning spell (3/13) against SLC Greys which earned him the Man of the Match award was a perfect display of left arm spin bowling.
12. Pulina Tharanga – 12th Man
3 Matches | 4 Wickets | Average 11.00 | Econ 5.61
The wrist spinner Tharanga was once again impressive with the ball and was SLC Greys’ main spin weapon. He caught the eye with a match changing spell (3/12) against the strong batting lineup of SLC Greens which gave the Greys an unexpected chance of making it through to the finals.
Would you make any changes to our Team of the Tournament? Tell us in the comments!
, with SLC Reds crowned champions of the tournament. The finalists SLC Reds and SLC Blues were the dominant forces throughout the tournament, thus ThePapare.com’s Team of the tournament features a number of their key players.){kind=link}