Match 7, Kandy, December 11, 2022, 03:00 PM
Galle Gladiators
174/6(20.0ov)
Colombo Stars
149/7(20.0ov)
Galle Gladiators beat Colombo Stars by 25 runs
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Lahiru Udara
Commentry
Right then, that is all we have from the entertaining first game of this Super Sunday. Next up, we have Jaffna Kings going up against Dambulla Aura and that game will start at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). So, just switch tabs and enjoy the coverage of that game. Cheers!
Kusal Mendis, the skipper of Galle Gladiators says that they got a good start in the first six overs. Adds that Lahiru Udara batted well and their bowlers bowled very well. Mentions that if their bowlers continue to bowl well in the tournament they will continue to win games.
Angelo Mathews, the skipper of Colombo Stars says that they gave away too many runs in the last 5 overs or so but if they hadn't lost early wickets, they could have got to the score. On Niroshan Dickwella, he says that Dickwella was down with a virus and wasn't doing well but still he tried his best and applauds his effort.
Lahiru Udara is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his unbeaten knock of 45 from 30 balls!
Time for the Presentation.
In the first half of the game, Galle Gladiators managed to get a healthy total on the board courtesy of some good batting in the Powerplay and in the death. In the middle overs though Colombo Stars spinners bowled well but the partnership between Lahiru Udara and Nuwanidu Fernando took them to a very good total which proved more than enough in the end.
Galle Gladiators would be very proud of this effort. Nuwan Thushara was brilliant in the Powerplay and then Iftikhar Ahmed picked up two crucial wickets after the Powerplay to put his team right on the top. They kept the pressure on in the middle overs with some tight bowling and when Stars tried to up the ante, it was little bit too much to do in the end. Wahab Riaz and Nuwan Pradeep also picked two wickets each along with Iftikhar Ahmed and overall it was a complete bowling performance by the Galle Gladiators.
Colombo Stars had a stiff target in front of them and they needed a good start with the bat before the ball gets softer. However, they could not do so and lost two wickets in the Powerplay. Iftikhar Ahmed then broke broke the backbone of the chase with two quick wickets and Stars were suddenly reduced to 47 for 4 in the 9th over. It was always going to be difficult for them after that and though Bopara and Niroshan Dickwella build a partnership but they never were able to up the ante and by the time Bopara accelerated, it was all too late for Stars. Niroshan Dickwella walking off the field due to virus also did not help their cause and in they end they fell way too short of the target.
Galle Gladiators have registered their first victory of the season with a comprehensive win! They got a good score on the board with the bat and then backed it up with a solid bowling performace. Overall, Kusal Mendis will be very proud of this effort. Colombo Stars, well, they had their moments but could not sustain the pressure and need to get back to the drawing board and come back stronger.
In over# 20
4
0
0W
0
4
6
Nuwan Pradeep 52/2(4)
19.6
4
FOUR! It's a boundary to end the match but does not matter! Galle Gladiators win by 25 runs! A shortish delivery on off. Lakmal pulls it firmly down the ground for a boundary.
19.5
.
A yorker on off. Lakmal blocks it out.
19.4
W
OUT! CAUGHT! That's the end of Bopara and second wicket for Nuwan Pradeep! A slower short delivery on off. Bopara tries to pull it. However, he gets a top edge that goes high in the air towards long on where Kusal Mendis takes an easy catch.
19.3
.
Goes fuller and on the pads. Bopara tries to clip it but misses and gets hit on the pads.
19.2
4
FOUR! Pulled away! Shortish delivery, around leg. Bopara pulls it in the gap and the ball runs away towards the fine leg fence.
19.1
6
SIX! That's a good hit but it is little bit too late! A fullish delivery on off. Bopara stands stall and tonks it down the ground for a biggie.
In over# 19
0W
0
1
4
1wd
1
1
Wahab Riaz 21/2(4)
18.6
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Dominic Drakes holes out in the deep! A fullish delivery, outside off. Drakes tries to go downtown and hits it very hard. However, he gets a top edge and the ball goes high in the air towards long off where Nuwanidu Fernando takes a good catch. Niroshan Dickwella gets back to the middle now.
18.5
.
Back of a length and outside off. Drakes swings across the line but misses.