CS VS JK MATCH 10

Right then, that is all we have from this close encounter, and Jaffna Kings find themselves at the top of the table. Colombo Stars have to figure out how they can get the best from their batters really soon if they want to remain in contention for the playoffs. The action will continue at the same venue on Tuesday, 13th of December as we have yet another doubleheader in store. In the first game of the day, Dambulla Aura will take on Kandy Falcons and that game will begin at 3 pm IST (9.30 am GMT). After that, Galle Gladiators will go up against Colombo Stars at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). You can join us early for the build-up of both those games. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Thisara Perera the skipper of Jaffna Kings says that they always back their bowlers and more than 20 runs in one over is always hard to get. Mentions that it was tough with the dew coming in and credits James Fuller for the way he bowled. Claims that he always talks to the bowler and tells them to do what they want and not worry about the results.  Adds that if they do good things then they don’t have to take the pressure. Informs that they have one more game in Pallekele and says that they will give chances to everyone on the team.

Angelo Mathews the captain of Colombo Stars says that he had to come down to the middle order as they were missing Ravi Bopara. Mentions that it is unfortunate that they could not get over the line but they did well. Claims that he does not want to give too much away and he will see where he bats going forward. Explains that the bowlers did really well on a tough wicket and they lost a few wickets early which cost them the game. Informs that they were never really in the game and the opponent had many good bowlers. He credits Benny Howell for playing a wonderful knock toward the end.

James Fuller has been adjudged as the Player of the Match and he says that the game looked like it was dead after 10 overs and adds that Colombo Stars did well to bring back the game. Mentions in the end it was all about sticking to the plans and he tried to take the pace off and bowl back of a length and yorkers. Tells that he took the pace off to Benny Howell and then did more of the same. Goes on to add that Angelo Mathews hit those two sixes in the last over and brought them back in the game. Mentions that he tried to bowl yorkers but he could not because of the dew.

Time for the presentation...

Jaffna Kings put on a combined batting performance to reach a par total in the first inning with all their batters contributing with significant cameos. Thisara Perera played a quickfire knock toward the end to get the team close to the 180-run mark. Benny Howell picked up two wickets with Naveen-ul-Haq and Dominic Drakes chipping in with one each for the Colombo Stars. The target seemed to be achievable but a burst of wickets at the start meant that they were always chasing the game.

Colombo Stars are not able to get a strong top-order combination working and the fact that they do not have all their players at their disposal is making the task tougher for them. Apart from Dinesh Chandimal, none of the other top five batters were able to reach a double-digit score. Dominic Drakes looked good and got off to a decent start but was unfortunately run out before Benny Howell came to the wicket to play a counterattacking inning. He scored 43 runs in just 20 balls to give his team the required momentum and provided Angelo Mathews with the right kind of support. The skipper took the game right till the last ball and remained unbeaten on 73 in just 38 deliveries but his effort went in vain.

That's it! Jaffna Kings win this game by 6 runs! Fuller bowls it on the shorter side, on off. Angelo Mathews tries to launch it over the fence towards the leg side. However, he does not get the timing this time and Angelo Mathews also did not bother to complete a run with disappointment all over his face. However, the man has shown yet again, why he is such a quality player!

Jaffna Kings came out and bowled right on the money with the skipper Thisara Perera taking a wicket in the very first over. There was a flurry of wickets thereafter as all the bowlers executed their plans to perfection reducing their opponents to 67 for the loss of 7 wickets. The dew seemed to set in later in the game and the ball was skidding towards the boundary. They managed to hold their nerves though and get over the finish line. James Fuller and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth had identical figures as they took two wickets each for 32 runs in their respective four overs. Thisara Perera, Maheesh Theekshana, and Asitha Fernando chipped in with one wicket each.

Angelo Mathews has played a gem of a knock and Colombo Stars have fallen just short of the target despite the late resurgence! The Jaffna Kings bowlers have delivered at the highest level in conditions that were really difficult towards the end of the game and have given the team a close 6-run victory. This takes the reigning champions top of the table and they continue to grow in strength as the tournament progresses. Colombo Stars will need to take a close look at their top order batting combination and the large number of changes in their side, did not help their cause.

Two taken! This means Stars now need a six off the last ball to take this game to the Super Over! A full delivery on middle. Angelo Mathews whips it off his pads and hits it right of the long off fielder. However, Dunith Wellalage runs to his right and dives to save two runs for his team.

SIX! Oh, Angelo Mathews has deposited another one over the fence! 9 needed now from 2 balls! Fuller gets predictable and bowls it shor again. Angelo Mathews is ready for it and pulls it hard and over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

SIX! Angelo Mathews with a timely blow! A shortish delivery, around off. Angelo Mathews slaps it and even though his hand comes off the handle he manages to hit it straght over the bowler's head for a maximum.

Back of a length, around off. Kasun Rajitha pulls it wide of long on but just a single is taken. Angelo Mathews will be on strike now.

Kasun Rajitha is the new batter to walk out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Benny Howell holes out in the deep! James Fuller strikes and he has been absolutely brilliant in the death today. Bowls a slower short delivery, around off. Howell pulls it but fails to get the middle of his blade. The ball goes aerially towards deep mid-wicket and Shoaib Malik there takes a fine catch. The equation now becomes even tougher for the Stars.

Jaffna Kings have been penalized for slow over-rate. They will now have to bring an extra player inside the circle for the last over.