Aura vs Kandy, Final at Colombo, LPL, Aug 20 2023 - Ball by Ball Commentary

Madushka Balasuriya's match report will be up shortly. That's it from ESPNcricinfo on the 2023 LPL.Take it easy.

And that's it. B-Love Kandy have won the fourth LPL, breaking the Jaffna's stranglehold on the trophy. Hasaranga a very fitting lifter of the tournament, but don't forget the likes of Angelo Mathews who played a key role in the final as well.

Wanindu Hasaranga is back as the tournament winning captain: "The foreign players played well. We started badly, but then we went to Kandy and won three out of three there and came back and did well here."

Kusal Mendis, captain of Dambulla Aura, the runners up: "We thought the wicket was good because it was a fresh pitch. Maybe in the first few overs if Avishka and I had scored more runs in that period it would have helped us. The bowlers did well. But in this match we weren't able to do well. I think this fourth season was the best so far, in terms of the LPL.

I've said earlier that the pitches need to better and I stand by that. In international cricket we need to usually hit around 180-190."

Player of the tournament is obviously Wanindu Hasaranga: "I'm very happy to have contributed with the bat. Our head coach Mushtaq Ahmed asked me to bat at the top of the order, and I also wanted to do something with the bat. Whether I'm captaining or not I try to do my best. This is very special because i contributed with the bat too."

Angelo Mathews is player of the match: "It was a bad day for Wanindu who single-handedly brought us through, so we had to play for him as well. He asked me to bowl a few overs and I happily did it. I am happy I was able to contribute in all three departments.

Dambulla had a fantastic tournament as well. It was a good toss to lose because I would have batted as well. Backing is sometimes just a word but they created an environment where we could express ourselves.

Thanks to the fans as well. We didn't play in Kandy in the final, but we had a lot of support."

***

The presentation has started. There is pretty much a whole XI of men standing side by side on the dais. Well done to them.

Rushan Kodikara: "The presentation gonna late. Who's gonna get the player of the final award?" Not started yet. Still setting up. Suspect it's Mathews, who also bowled two cheap overs in addition to seeing the chase through.

JR: "Two captains to take the trophy eh!" I'm sure Wanindu Hasaranga, who has probably been the MVP of every single LPL tournament, will lift the trophy I'm sure. It' been en epic performance from him across the season. What a guy.

Chamal Perera: "Anjelo Mathews!! What a Player. A perfect demonstration of the value of experience. Well done B-Love Kandy!!"

Chandimal: "After we lost the first two games it was tough, but credit has to go to the captain and coach. In this game we talked about playing the first six overs like a one-dayer, so credit goes to the openers."

Mathews on the sideline: "I though Asif Ali and Lahiru Madushanka were brilliant towards the end. Mushtaq Ahmed, the support staff, and the captain created an environment that was amazing. It wasn't a 147 wicket. The odd one stayed low but it was a brilliant wicket.

The last three games were kind of back-to-back for us. It was a great effort by the entire group."

Scores are tied. Kandy will take it to a Super Over at the very least.

Madushan to bowl the last. B-Love need six.

two boundaries for Kandy ends this. Can Mathews deliver?

Madushanka is the new batter.