Match 9, Kandy, December 12, 2022, 03:00 PM
153/6(20.0ov)
141/7(20.0ov)
Galle Gladiators beat Kandy Falcons by 12 runs
Right then, that is all we have from the first game. However, the action continues and we have Jaffna Kings going up against Colombo Stars in the second game of this Super Monday. That game will start at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). So, switch tabs and enjoy the coverage of that game. Cheers!
Kusal Mendis, the skipper of Galle Gladiators says that he decided to bat first because he knew it was a slow wicket. Tells that when fast bowlers used their cutters it was difficult to hit them and credits Lakshan Sandakan for the way he bowled. Also applauds Thanuka Dabare and Nuwanidu Fernando for their knocks.
Wanindu Hasaranga, the skipper of Kandy Falcons says that they got 4 wickets early but were not able to claim wickets in the middle overs. Claims that they lost a couple of wickets in the middle overs to spinners and that cost them the game.
Thanuka Dabare is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his 70 off just 51 balls. He speaks in his local language and he says he was planning on building a partnership and they were targeting a score of around 140.
Time for the Presentation..
Kandy Falcons were right on the top in this game when they reduced Galle Gladiators to 10 for 4 in the first half. Carlos Brathwaite and Isuru Udana bowled brilliantly in the Powerplay for them but ater that two young batters from Galle Gladiators fought hard with both scoring fifties and Galle Gladiators got to a good enough total on this pitch with over 150 runs on the board. In reply, Kandy Falcons just could not find any momentum in their chase until the late flourish by Chamika Karunaratne and Ashen Bandara and were pretty poor with their intent in the first 15 overs of the run-chase. That kept losing wickets at regular intervals and left too much to do for the end and despite handy cameos by Ashen Bandara and Chamika Karunaratne they fell short in the end.
Galle Gladiators had a decent total on the board and things were always going to be difficult for Kandy Falcons with the slowish nature of the pitch in the second innings. However, Galle bowlers made it even tougher with some disciplined bowling and gave away only 29 runs in the Powerplay which included a big wicket of Andre Fletcher by young and impressive Nuwan Thushara. Kandy batters failed to get going even after the Powerplay and when they tried to up the ante, Galle spinners got into the act and eventually, Kandy were restricted to 70 for 6 in the 15th over. Things did get a bit tricky for Galle Gladiators in the end with Chamika Karunaratne and Ashen Bandara putting up an inspired fight but some clever death bowling took them over the line in the end.
Galle Gladiators have notched up their second win in a row and have made a huge statement here by handing Kandy Falcons their first defeat of the season. Galle Gladiators would be pretty proud of this effort as they showed great character and skills to fight it out whenever they were put under pump in this game.
In over# 20
1
1
1
1
1
6
Nuwan Pradeep 34/0(3)
19.6
1
A single to end the game! Nuwan Pradeep nails the yorker just outside off, Ashen Bandara digs this out towards deep mid-wicket for a run. Galle Gladiators win by 12 runs!
19.5
1
Bowls this on a fuller length outside the off pole, Isuru Udana eases this down to long on for a single.
19.4
1
Just a single and this will seal the deal for Galle Gladiators unless there are no extras. A fullish delivery on middle Bandara tries to go down the ground but hits it off the inside half of his blade to deep mid-wicket for a single.
19.3
1
On middle and goes fuller again. Udana fails to get under it and hits it along the ground to long on. 16 needed now from 3 balls!
19.2
1
Just a single! A full delivery on off. Bandara drills it hard but straight to mid off and a single is taken.
19.1
6
SIX! Oh, what a shot under pressure from Ashen Bandara! A fullish delivery on off. In the slot and Bandara tonks it down the ground for a biggie. 18 needed now from 5!
Nuwan Pradeep to bowl the last over! Galle Gladiators are late in starting the last over and by the rules they need to have five fielders inside the ring now. Kandy Falcons need 24 from the last over!
In over# 19
1
2
1
1W
4
4
Wahab Riaz 34/0(4)
18.6
1
Nails a yorker this time just outside off, Ashen Bandara digs this out towards short third man and takes a quick run to keep strike. 24 runs are needed in the last over.
18.5
2
Bowls this back of a length and outside off, Ashen Bandara pulls this towards deep mid-wicket and takes a couple of runs.