GG VS DA MATCH 20

That is it then from this game and the group stage of the Lanka Premier League 2022. The action now moves on to the playoffs as on Wednesday, the 21st of December, Kandy Falcons take on Jaffna Kings in Qualifier 1. The team that wins will go straight to the final and that game will begin at 3 pm IST (9.30 am GMT). This will be followed by the Eliminator in which Galle Gladiators will face Colombo Stars at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) and the loser of that game will be sent packing. Do join us early for the build-up of both those games. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Dambulla Aura's skipper, Sikandar Raza says that he is proud of the performance but tells that this win feels like a loss. Tells that it was a good performance from them with the ball minus the last over and he is proud of the win as they did it without some of the big boys. Informs that he bowled the last over seeing the ball stick on for spinners and it was a combination of good batting and poor bowling. Says that had they restricted Galle to 115, things could have been different. Mentions that personally he had a pretty average tournament and he would like to take this lesson and try to perform better wherever he plays in the world.

Kusal Mendis, the captain of Galle Gladiators says that it was a great match and they got early wickets and gives credit to the opposition batters who batted really well. Adds that it is about someone from the top 6 getting a fifty-plus score and that will help them a lot. Adds that they have played enough matches in Colombo now and hopes to get the win in the Eliminator and go through.

Matthew Forde (4 for 11 and 52 off 32 balls) is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant all-round showing. Forde says that at the fall of the first wicket he had no shoes on and then the coach came to him and said that he will be promoted up the order. Says that he is happy to put on a good performance but gutted to not qualify for the playoffs. Mentions that it has been a great experience for him to play in Lanka Premier League and though the results have not gone their way he has learned a lot.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Kusal Mendis opted to put runs on the board but his side struggled to gain momentum throughout their innings. It was Nuwanidu Fernando who stayed on till the end and used his time at the crease to perfection in the final over and that made a huge impact on the outcome. With the ball, Nuwan Thushara was brilliant upfront but the decision to bowl him and Wahab Riaz for 8 overs in a row wasn't the right one as both leaked runs in their final overs. Nimesh Vimukthi changed the game when things were going downhill for Galle as he got rid of Jordan Cox and from there it was only about getting to 11.2 overs for Galle. They did lose the game but managed to scrape through to the next round.

With a required rate of almost 2 runs a ball, Dambulla Aura needed a quickfire start but lost a couple of early wickets that put them on the back foot. Then came the counterattack from Matthew Forde and Jordan Cox who put on 79 runs for the third wicket and just about kept Dambulla in the game. Once Cox fell, they lost Forde and then Raza before eventually running out of balls that were required for them to chase down the target within. Dambulla did get the win but finished last on the points table. Earlier in the game, their bowlers came to the fore in a high-pressure situation with Forde standing out with a four-fer but Raza's last over that went for 25 runs proved way too costly for them.

Wow, what a finish to the group stage! A bitter-sweet victory for Dambulla Aura who were down and out for most of the league stage but almost made the mother of all comebacks in this game. It wasn't meant to be though as Galle Gladiators managed to hold their nerves and have sealed the fourth spot on the points table due to a better net run rate.

SIX! That's a fine way to finish off the game! Tossed up delivery on off from Wasim, on off. Sachitha Jayathilake gets under it and tonks it straight down the ground for a maximum. Dambulla Aura win by 4 wickets with 34 balls to spare!

Slower through the air, on middle. The ball turns and hits Lahiru Madushanka high on the pads as he tries to defend. The ball goes towards the off side off his pads and a leg bye is taken.

Serves a very full delivery on middle and leg. Lahiru Madushanka tries to flick it but mistimes it onto the turf and a single is taken as the ball rolls towards the leg side.

A slower delivery again, on a length and around off. Lahiru Madushanka works it through mid-wicket for a couple.

A slower short delivery on off. Sachitha Jayathilake pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Bangs it short and on off. Sachitha Jayathilake calmly ducks under it.

Back of a length, on off. Sachitha Jayathilake dabs it towards the leg side.

Short and outside off. Lahiru Madushanka guides it to third man for a single.