Kings vs Aura, 8th Match at Kandy, LPL, Dec 11 2022 - Ball by Ball Commentary

That brings to end to our LPL coverage for today, be sure to join us tomorrow for another exciting double header! But for now, on behalf of Fidel and Ranjith, this is Madushka saying farewell!

Winning captain Thisara Perera: "I have to give credit today to the batters and bowlers as well. On this kind of surface they did a really good job for me. It's easy for the captain to be sidelined in this kind of surface. [opening partnership?] The way they played I can't expect anything more. They gave us everything, the momentum, a good start, and set up the middle order. [strong bench?] yeah definitely we'll give them a chance. Today also we rested three players. I'm always trying to give opportunities for the Sri Lankan players."

Losing captain Dasun Shanaka: "[In hindsight should you have batted first?] Um, no. We took a good decision, but it was just a really poor display of bowling. I think we bowled really poor lines and lengths, plus they batted really well. Especially Gurbaz and Avishka up front. [pressure after 3 defeats?] Until we play good cricket, we're going to lose. Everyone should realise that. As international cricketers we need to present our best selves in every game, and now just need to play better and focus on getting through to the Eliminator."

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is the Player of the Match: "Yeah I enjoy playing here, I'm pretty used to this wicket now [having played with Afghanistan recently]. [target?] I just tried to be positive, i practiced to find my zone, and that was the reason I was successful."

Time for the presentation ceremony...

TSB: "There are not much instances where a team is going to score 190-200 but still no one spares even a thought for them, but here is one of those few..."

11.32pm So the Kings bounce back following their loss to the Kandy Falcons yesterday, with a comprehensive victory over Dambulla Aura! It was a win set up by the batters, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz (73 off 35) and Avishka Fernando (54 off 30) leading the way at the top. Their middle and lower order then helped keep up the pace through the middle overs to push the total towards the highest ever in the LPL - 240! Then with the ball, despite Dambulla going hard from the get-go, their bowlers had more than enough to work with. Binura Fernando was the pick of the bunch with figures of 4 for 22, while the young leg spinner Suminda Lakshan also picked up a couple.

two balls for Binura to complete his five-for

Binura to bowl the final over.

55 needed from 6, as this game peters to its conclusion.

So Dambulla almost mathematically out of this now. They are fast reaching the point where only sixes will do.

The excellent Binura back into the attack