another wicket to polish off what has turned out to be a convincing win in the end! Length delivery on leg stump that hurtles through. Thushara has a nibble at it, more in hope than anything else, and feathers it through to the keeper. An apt way to cap off an outstanding bowling display! This is also the lowest total that has been defended at this venue in the history of the LPL!
Jaffna vs Galle, 1st Match at Hambantota, LPL, Dec 06 2022 - Ball by Ball Commentary
And, that will be a wrap from us for this game. But don't worry, the action comes thick and fast at this year's LPL, with Colombo Stars taking on Kandy Falcons in a few minutes' time. Till then, this is me (Shashwat) on behalf of Ranjith, signing off. Goodbye, take care!
Thisara Perera, Jaffna Kings captain: I am trusting my bowlers because I feel this wicket was a little sticky. I know I have wonderful bowlers. (On the pressure of being defending champions) This is another tournament and we are going game by game.
Kusal Mendis, Galle Gladiators captain: (Where did it go wrong) Opening partnership was good but after that we lost a lot of wickets. That is why we made 138 look like a big score. Earlier, it was easy to bat against the new ball. As the ball got old, it was tough to play normal shots. The wicket was a little slow and that is why we lost wickets in the middle.
Dunith Wellalage, Player of the Match: (On your performance) I was trying to play my normal game. My teammates gave me great support, as did my team management. I tried to keep things simple. The wicket was turning so I always tried to do my normal bowling.
Right. Time for the post-match presentation.
6:45pm Phew, that was some game! It ebbed and flowed throughout and up until the final five overs, it was anybody's game. The Gladiators were perhaps better in both powerplays and in the death overs of the first innings. But when it mattered, especially in the middle overs of the run-chase, the Kings came up trumps. They rode on their young spin duo of Viyaskanth and Wellalage, who caused the Gladiators all sorts of problems with their flight, drift and dip. The wicket also aided their endeavours and once Theekshana came back to outwit Mendis in the 16th over, the writing was on the wall for last year's runners-up. This contest, if anything, proved why the Jaffna Kings have won two LPL titles on the bounce and how they are equipped to win different types of games. Word has to go out to Wellalage too, whose cameo in the first innings possibly ended up being the difference today.
As for the Gladiators, there were plenty of positives, most notably how they bowled and how Mendis batted, despite being up against a turning track. Their bowling unit also did largely well, with Imad Wasim and Wahab among the wickets. On the night, though, it was not enough.
Thushara comes out to face the final ball
straight to the fielder at long on! Back of a length delivery on leg stump. Pradeep backs away and finally gets some decent contact. Such is his luck, though, that he arrows it straight down long on's throat. Been that kind of a day with the bat for the Gladiators!
a carbon copy of the previous delivery. Dug into the track and it cramps Pradeep for room. He tries to smash it away but is too late on the stroke
banged into the track at the batter on leg stump. Pradeep, well, has another swipe at it, and misses
Four sixes needed to tie the game now
another back of a length delivery outside off stump. Pradeep has another wild swing at it and only swats away a few flies in the process
length delivery on middle and leg stump. Pradeep has an agricultural hack at it and makes absolutely no contact
25 runs needed off the final over. The Gladiators need six boundaries, just to tie things up. Surely this is beyond their grasp now? Binura to bowl the last over
short delivery outside off stump that skids through. Tharanga continues swinging and to his frustration, continues missing
full delivery darted into the batter on leg stump. Tharanga backs away and drills it straight back to the bowler, who manages to rein it in
length delivery outside off stump. Tharanga swings for the hills but only connects with fresh air
full delivery on middle and off stump. Pradeep backs away and slices it towards deep cover point for just a single
back of a length delivery outside off stump. Pradeep throws the kitchen sink at it but misses the ball by an absolute mile
Pradeep joins Tharanga in the middle
back of a length delivery slanted into the batter on middle and leg stump. Wahab has a cramped swipe at it and miscues it towards mid wicket. He then hares back for the second and has to stretch to make his ground. But to no avail, because the throw and the keeper is quick enough to catch him short of his ground
27 runs needed off the last 12 balls. The Gladiators need five boundaries. Who is going to get them, though? Fuller to bowl the penultimate over
another bumper outside off stump. Wahab gives it everything he has but can only drag it towards long on for a single
dropped, oh my! Dug into the track just outside off stump. Wahab has a swipe across the line and shanks it towards long on. The fielder runs in and dives forward but can't hold onto the chance
Wahab Riaz on strike now
is there a nick? Yes, there is! This could be the game! Banged into the track and this one is angled into the batter. Imad tries to give himself room but is always cramped for it. He tries to slash it away but the awkward position he gets himself into means that he can only nick it through to the keeper
short delivery just outside off stump. Tharanga lets the ball come to him before guiding it down to third man for a single
Tharanga in at 8
back of a length delivery just outside off stump. Imad hops up onto his toes and runs it down to the sweeper at third man for a single
no, he can't! In the slot on middle and leg stump. Imad dances down the track and pumps it over the bowler's head for a maximum! What a shot under pressure!
Binura comes back into the attack. Can he get the better of Imad?
A lot rests on Imad now. He is the senior batter and has more batting pedigree than the others to come. So far, though, he has looked very scratchy at the crease. Something will have to change drastically for the Gladiators to get past the finish line now
edged and taken! Another batter bites the dust! Full delivery outside off stump and this one seems to move away very late. Ashan has a loose drive at it without any conviction and feathers it through to the keeper, who gobbles up the chance!
Required run rate up to 12 runs per over now. 38 needed off 19 balls
length delivery on middle and leg stump. Imad clears his front leg and slogs it down the ground towards long on for just another single
Over 20 • GG 113/10