Gladiators vs Stars, Eliminator at Colombo, LPL, Dec 21 2022 - Ball by Ball Commentary

And with that it's a wrap from us. There's just two games to go now before this season's champion is crowned, with Jaffna Kings already having secured a place in the final courtesy their rain-affected win over Kandy Falcons earlier today. Kandy will of course have another bite at the cherry to make the final when they meet Colombo tomorrow. So be sure to join us for that, but until then it's Madushka saying goodnight!

Winning captain Angelo Mathews: "It was a tricky wicket. I thought the bowlers were brilliant, especially Nabi in these wet conditions. We knew it wasn't an easy wicket to score straight away, so we were trying to get set, and run hard. [thoughts on Kandy?] They are a dangerous team in all departments, but let's see what happens."

Losing captain Kusal Mendis: "After the rain it was hard to bat on this wicket, it didn't help that we lost some wickets early. I think 130-140 would have been a good score."

Ravi Bopara is the Player of the Match: "There were tense moments, but we knew it would be difficult for new batters coming in. We told each other that the longer we stayed out in the middle the easier it would get."

11.43pm So Colombo Stars get over the line in the end, and book a date with Kandy in the second Qualifier tomorrow. For Galle, they can't make it three finals in three seasons, and will have to watch this one from the sidelines. All in all you have to say Colombo were good value for their win, even if Galle made a game of it right up until the final few overs. After rain intervened, a delayed start meant the game was reduced to 18 overs a side, but more than that it completely changed the nature of the pitch. A target of 109 seemed below par by some distance - especially since nearly half of those came off the bat of the outstanding Sahan Arachchige - but in the end it was only a poor over towards the death from the otherwise excellent Nuwan Thushara that eased the pressure on Colombo. Though credit should also go to the experienced pair of Bopara and Mathews, who took the game deep and backed themselves for one big over at the death, after earlier batters had thrown away their wickets looking for unnecessary boundaries. Galle will look at it as a missed opportunity but on the balance of play you can't begrudge Colombo.

Sam: "@Afeef: that's called a captain's innings"

Oh dear, Wahab looked to kick the ball at the striker's end on the follow through. Had he hit his target, that would have been gone.

Wahab Riaz is their final throw of the dice one would imagine

Well the last two overs have swung this game definitively back in Colombo's favour. Is there anyway back for Galle?

Ravi97 : "There was a vast difference between top 2 teams and bottom 3 teams in this tournament so far. Hopefully the Colombo Stars can change it around and give a really good fight in the Second Qualifier."

Run-a-ball now this chase.

Afeef: "Mathews playing a similar innings as Finch did earlier today in the BBL. Low strike rates but more importantly they held up one end and guided the chase."

And with that a strategic timeout is called. And well, what can you say about that? Thushara, who has been excellent this game, and all tournament really, gifts away 17 runs. Colombo's game to lose now, you have to imagine.

Manoj: "Two most experienced batsmen in the crease. So I have no doubt about the win predictor."

Thushara returns