Kandy vs Stars, 2nd Match at Hambantota, LPL, Dec 06 2022 - Ball by Ball Commentary

And with that comes to an end our coverage of a day where Jaffna Kings and Kandy Falcons came through victorious at the expense of Galle Gladiators and Colombo Stars. Be sure to join us tomorrow for another double header. But until then, on behalf of Abhimanyu and Ranjith, it's Madushka saying good night!

Winning captain Wanindu Hasaranga: "I'm really happy how everything went in my first game as captain. Credit to our batters especially. [hattrick?] That was my second T20 hat-trick, I'm really happy. That's what leg spinners can do, and I think they can change the game at any time. [responsibility as captain?] Yes I wanted more responsibility, and experience in handling pressure situations. That's why I chose the Kandy captaincy. I always try to do my best for my team regardless of what role I play."

Losing captain Angelo Mathews: "I thought the decision to bowl first was right, it's just that we were horrible in the field. Probably one of the worst performances a cricket team can have on the field. But it's good that it happened in the first game, probably an eye opener for all of us. [new Angelo, opening the bowling and batting?] It's a new challenge, I'm trying my level best to keep fit and do my talking on the field. Whatever the team needs me to do I'll try and do my best."

Andre Fletcher is the Player of the Match: "We spoke about starting off with a win in the team meeting, I'm happy we did that. Nissanka played well, I'm happy to contribute. And the way our bowlers came out and bowled, it was totally a team effort. [surface?] In the start it was a bit difficult, the ball was seaming around quite a lot. I'm happy to have got a few chances, but as it went on it got a bit easier and I tried my best capitalise on the chances that I got. [did you expect this kind of score?] From getting feedback from the first game we thought it was a 130-140 wicket. The way we started we never wanted to take things for granted, we just wanted to take it to the bowlers and keep them under pressure."

Time for the presentation ceremony...

10.40pm So a statement of intent then from the Kandy Falcons, a franchise that has struggled in the past two editions of the LPL but have come out all guns blazing to down the Colombo Stars! While Wanindu Hasaranga picked up a hat-trick on his way to figures of 4-14 and Andre Fletcher blazed a chance-filled century, the tone for this game was really set in the field. It started with Fletcher being dropped by Seekkuge Prasanna when he had yet to score a run - he would then proceed to be dropped a further three times - and then that lethargy spread through out the Stars' body language for the rest of the game! In contrast, the Falcons jumped out of the blocks in the field, with Hasaranga leading from the front to dismiss Niroshan Dickwella in the very first over with a direct hit. They also held on to whatever catches came their way. And with the bat, Fletcher along with Nissanka capitalised on the lax work in the field and plundered away, to set up a well above par - and ultimately match-winning - total.

Lakmal is the last man in.

So Lakshan coming to the crease at number 10 is quite interesting, as Mathews seemed to rate him quite highly as a batter. Quite the depth in batting for the Stars it seems, though it doesn't seem to have done them much good tonight. Here's Allen in any case with the ball.

Tinura: "@Manda: This edition's theme is about reserving oceanlife, thus the blue centered jersey..."

JOYDEEP GILL: "For sure stars can't win from here but can reduce the losing margin in order to keep nrr safe for crucial stages"

Paul very unhappy with himself at not going after the previous ball

Udara back into the attack

Manda : "I'm still struggling to find out why all these teams wearing like to like colors.. 4 teams wearing blue 1 wearing purple. Very poor organizing. "