GG VS CS MATCH 12

Right then, that is it from this close encounter. It was the Colombo Stars who emerged victorious while Galle Gladiators will need to buck up and perform better in their next game. The action will continue on Wednesday, 14th of December as we have two games coming up. In the first game of the day, Jaffna Kings will take on Kandy Falcons and that game will begin at 3 pm IST (9.30 am GMT). After that, Colombo Stars will go up against Dambulla Aura 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!

Angelo Mathews, the winnng captain of Colombo Stars, says that it is challenging playing four days in a row but the team responed brilliantly. Feels that they conceded 20-25 runs more with the ball. Adds that there is a lot of pressure when there is dew as it is tough to grip the wet ball. Feels that his bowlers did a great job of bowling in wet conditions and the batters backed it up well. Ends by saying that him coming down the order and sending Dinesh Chandimal to open has worked well for them.

Kusal Mendis, the skipper of Galle Gladiators, says that dew did play a major role in the loss. Adds that the result would have been different had they not made mistakes in the field and had a few more runs with the bat.

Ravi Bopara is the Player of the Match for his match-winning knock of 31 runs from 12 balls. He says that the platform was set for him by the batters who batted ahead of him. Adds that considering the required run-rate, there was only one way to go. Feels that the target was always within their reach. Shares that Angelo Mathews messaged him in the morning saying that he needs him in this game and he started feeling well since afternoon.

Presentation time...

Earlier in the innngs, Galle Gladiators posted a huge total on board with fifties from Kusal Mendis and Asad Shafiq, but Naveen-ul-Haq bowled a brilliant last over conceding just five runs which shifted the momentum towards his side. The run chase had everything, but in the end Colombo Stars managed to get over the line.

Galle Gladiators were hot and cold while defending this total. They managed to pick up an early wicket, but then allowed the Stars to build up a solid partnership. However, once they broke that stand, they managed to pick up a few more wickets to put pressure on the batting side. Nuwan Thushara was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets and he was the one who brought the equation to 50 off 25, but then they missed their lengths at the death overs and let it slip away from them. Wahab Riaz had an off-day as he conceded 61 runs in his four overs and other bowlers also failed to keep the runs in check. This will hurt them, but they need to keep their heads up and comeback stronger in the next game.

Colombo Stars did not get off to a great start as they lost Niroshan Dickwella quite early. It was Dinesh Chandimal and Charith Asalanka who started to do the repair job and built a good partnership. They batted sensibly putting away the loose deliveries and changing strikes often. Both of them added 92 runs before Dinesh Chandimal got dismissed on 63 and he was soon followed by Charith Asalanka who tried to get to his fifty with a big shot. Then Benny Howell came in and scored a quick-fire 22 off just 9 balls to give them the platform to go on and chase it. However, it was the injured soldier, Seekkuge Prasanna and Ravi Bopara who played some lusty blows at the fag end of the inning to take the game deep. Things did become interesting in the last over, but Ravi Bopara got them over the line.

Colombo Stars win a thriller here! This game had everything in it and, it was very difficult to pick a winner till the last ball. Galle Gladiators will feel like they let this one go away from them. It was Ravi Bopara who kept his calm and took his side home.

FOUR! Ravi Bopara finishes it off for Colombo Stars! Short and outside off, Ravi Bopara stands tall and pulls this one wide of deep mid-wicket for a boundary. Colombo Stars win by 2 wickets!

Back of a length on middle, Kasun Rajitha pushes it to mid-wicket and takes a quick single. Scores level now.

Kasun Rajitha comes out to the middle now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Short and outside off, Muditha Lakshan fails to get on top of the bounce as he looked to pull, gets it from the upper part of the bat and spoons it towards deep square leg. Lakshan Sandakan there runs forward and completes the catch. Still 2 needed for Colombo Stars.

Banged in short and outside off, Muditha Lakshan looks to cut this one over point but misses.

Muditha Lakshan is the next man in.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Slower and short outside off by Anwar Ali, Seekkuge Prasanna moves across and pulls this one high in the air towards deep mid-wicket. Does not get enough on the bat and hold out to the man in the deep. Is there a twist in the tale?

SIX! Anwar Ali misses his length and bowls this one right in the slot outside off for the batter, Seekkuge Prasanna shuffles across and deposits this one over long off for a maximum. That should be it for Colombo Stars.

Anwar Ali to bowl the last over. Can he defend seven runs? Galle Gladiators have been penalised for slow-over rate. Now, they have to keep five fielders inside the circle.