DA VS CS MATCH 16

Right then, that is it from the game. Dambulla Aura have made it four wins in four games now and move to the top of the table! Colombo Strikers will have to win both their games now to have a slight chance of making it through to the next stage. B-Love Kandy managed to win their game earlier and became the second team to qualify for the playoffs. The action in the fourth edition of the Lanka Premier League continues as we have a doubleheader in-store on Sunday, the 13th of August. It will be Jaffna Kings vs Galle Titans at 3 pm IST (9.30 am GMT) and Colombo Strikers vs B-Love Kandy at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) but as you know, you can join us for the build-up well in advance. Until then, goodbye and cheers!

Kusal Mendis, the captain of Dambulla Aura speaks in the local language and says that he felt that the pitch was better today than yesterday. He added that he is happy with the team and that he would look to improve his form. Ends by appreciating his team for this victory.

Niroshan Dickwella, the skipper of Colombo Strikers says that they did well till the 15th over but could not execute their plans in the death overs. Claims that it was a winning score for them to chase but probably 20 runs too much. Explains that they were the best fielding side in the first two games but they dropped chances and that cost them two games just like in this match. Mentions that they want to take it game by game and they were doing well but losing by small margins. Ends by saying that as a unit they have done well chasing 180 and almost chased down 190 so he knows they have a good batting unit.

Ben McDermott is the Player of the Match for scoring 69 in 46 deliveries and taking his side to a good total. He says that it was a very challenging pitch and luck favoured him. He added that he felt that he had to bat through deep and had Alex Ross with him to keep the runs coming. He added that they didn't have any particular target in mind and just played to their strengths.

Time for the presentations...

Dambulla Aura were not off to a great start with the bat but half-centuries from Alex Ross and Ben McDermott got them to a competitive total. Matheesha Pathirana was the pick of the bowlers for the Colombo Strikers taking two wickets while there was one each from Naseem Shah, Chamika Karunaratne, and Jeffrey Vandersay. They will feel like they allowed the game to get away from them in the last five overs and will be hoping for a better bowling performance going forward.

Chasing 167 runs in 20 overs, the Colombo Strikers embarked on their innings but could muster only 116 runs and in the process, relinquished all their wickets. Their batting struggled for control throughout and none of the batters could go on to get a big score despite several of them getting off to good starts. They were consistently outpaced by the Dambulla bowlers who were a step ahead throughout the chase. The bowlers collaborated seamlessly to curtail the Colombo Strikers' pursuit with Hasan Ali's stellar three-wicket performance reflecting his continued excellence in the tournament. Binura Fernando, Noor Ahmad, and Dushan Hemantha all chipped in with two wickets each as they got over the finish line with ease.

What a triumph for the Dambulla Aura tonight as they clinch an additional 2 points and solidify their position at the summit of the table! This champion team delivered a brilliant all-round performance, impressively surmounting the initial game pressure that stemmed from losing early wickets. Ben McDermott and Alex Ross united their efforts to fashion a commendable total, steering the Dambulla Aura toward an unassailable position.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Chamika Karunaratne has not been able to make an impact as he edges one to the keeper! This is bowled full and wide outside the off pole. Chamika Karunaratne goes hard at the ball but only manages to get a faint nick through to the keeper. Kusal Mendis takes an easy catch as he goes running towards his bowler to celebrate. Colombo Strikers have been bowled out for a partly score of 116.

Bowls this full and at the stumps. Chamika Karunaratne smacks this towards wide long on and stands his ground.

Delivers this full and outside off. Chamika Karunaratne throws his bat at this one and gets an outside edge towards third man. No single taken again.

Binura Fernando bowls this full and outside the off pole. Chamika Karunaratne hits this hard towards long off and refuses to take a run.

Delivers this full and outside the off stump. Jeffrey Vandersay bunts this towards the fielder at mid on. 2 wickets and one run coming in this over.

Jeffrey Vandersay is the last man to walk in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and Colombo Strikers are one wicket away from being bowled out. Hasan Ali has his third wicket and is having a wonderful tournament so far. This is bowled on a good length and outside the off pole. Matheesha Pathirana makes room for himself and throws his bat at the ball. Hits the toe end of his bat and goes up towards backward point. Noor Ahmad runs to his left from point and takes a good running catch to send the batter packing.

Bowls a slower delivery full and just outside the off pole. Matheesha Pathirana pokes at this one and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Angles this into the stumps on a fuller length. Matheesha Pathirana clips this towards mid-wicket.