Jaffna vs Stars, 10th Match at Kandy, LPL, Dec 12 2022 - Ball by Ball Commentary

11.30pm So that's a wrap from this game. We have more action tomorrow, with Dambulla Aura taking on the Kandy Falcons and Colombo Stars returning to face Galle Gladiators. For now, this is Abhimanyu Bose signing off on behalf of Madushka Balasurya, K Vairavan and Binoy George!

11.25pm Presentation time

James Fuller is the player of the match.

Fuller: "The game looked like it was dead after 10 overs, but they did really well to bring the game back, Angelo, Benny and Drakes. We tried to stick to our plans at the end. I was bowling to my good mate Benny Howell [in the final over] so I was thinking wouldn't it be nice to get him out. And after that tried to follow the same plans, taking pace off but Angelo slammed two huge ones. Tried to bowl the yorker as well but it was slippery in the dewy conditions."

Losing captain Angelo Mathews: "Unfortunately we couldn't get over the line but credit to the boys, they tried really hard. [On whether he will continue in middle order] Let's see how it goes, don't want to give too much away. We did well to keep Jaffna to 178. I thought that was a good over. Benny was brilliant."

Thisara Perera, the winning captain: "I always back my bowlers. More than 20 [in the final over] is really hard but on this surface, I really give credit to my bowlers. I told Fuller just do your best, never think of the end result, just do your best. If you are doing good things you don't need to take pressure. We are all professional cricketers, we have experience like Shoaib Malik. We have players who have played for the national team so they are guiding the youngsters. Definitely will give chance to new faces in the coming games."

11.22pm Afeef: "I thought Mathews was about to do a Brathwaite. Still a good fightback from him and Howell." Indeed, that was a brilliant recovery and the two nearly pulled off a highly unlikely win for their team. Mathews was at fault for Drakes' run-out, but made up for it with that blitzkrieg innings.

11.18pm Right then, what a finish that was. Colombo Stars looked done and dusted at 67 for 7 in the thirteenth over. But an incredible display of hitting by Mathews and Benny Howell took the match to a thrilling finish. Mathews hit two sixes in the final over, but in the end it was not enough as the Jaffna Kings secure a slender win. Fuller and Viyaskanth both returned figures of 2-32, while Asitha Fernando, Thisara Perera and Theekshana took one wicket apiece.

Earlier, a great team effort with the bat saw them post 178 for 5. They stalled in the middle after a good start by their top three, before Shoaib Malik, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Perera upped the ante to finish strong.

With that win, the Jaffna Kings go on top of the table with eight points from five matches

While no one batt

Angelo Mathews pulls out at the last minute of Fuller's delivery stride and the bowler falls on the follow through. Mathews points to the sightscreen and thankfully Fuller looks fit and fine to bowl the final delivery

9 needed off 2 now!

Kasun Rajitha comes out to bat. He will look to get Mathews on strike for sure

22 needed off the final over. Jaffna Kings will have to keep an extra fielder inside the ring due to their slow over-rate. With the way these two are batting, we are in for a thrilling finish!

Just eight runs off that over, leaving the Stars needing 38 off the final two. Asitha Fernando to bowl the 19th over. He has been very economical today.

The Jaffna Kings face the possibility of being penalised for slow over-rate. Fuller to bowl his third now. Stars need 46 off the last three