Match 19, Colombo, August 14, 2023, 07:30 PM
162/7(20.0ov)
142/10(19.4ov)
Dambulla Aura beat B-Love Kandy by 20 runs
Right then! Dambulla have cemented their spot at the top of the table while B-Love Kandy's losing streak continues. We have one more matches to go in the group stages of the fourth edition of the Lanka Premier League and the final encounter will decide which two other teams qualify for the playoffs. We return on Tuesday 15th August for match number 20 where Colombo Strikers lock horns against Galle Titans at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) but as you know, you can join us for the build-up well in advance. Until then, goodbye and cheers!
Dhananjaya de Silva, the skipper of Dambulla Aura and Player of the Match for his four-wicket haul says that a strong bench strength helped us get over the line in this game. Adds that they have a bunch of guys that can match up to every player and that is always a good thing for any side. Mentions that the slowness of the track helped him bowl the way he did.
Wanindu Hasaranga, the captain of B-Love Kandy says that their bowlers did a good job. Adds that they are also humans and cannot play cricket after such a quick turnaround. Mentions that it is a fast format so to play back-to-back games is difficult. Claims that he can't ask more from the players as they did not get even 24 hours of rest which makes it tough. Ends by saying that their bowlers did a good job and if one or two batters score they are in the game.
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Earlier in the day after being asked to bat first Dambulla Aura batted really well and scored posted a good total of 162. Avishka Fernando was brilliant today with the willow in his hands while he was well helped by Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ben McDermott, and Hayden Kerr. The pitch was duel paced but the Dambulla Aura took great advantage of the shorter side and scored big. The bowling from B-Love Kandy was decent with Nuwan Pradeep being their top wicket-taker and was well complimented by Mujeeb Ur Rahman who took a couple. Chaturanga de Silva and Wanindu Hasaranga took a wicket each.
The bowling for Dambulla Aura was on point as they broke the backbone of the run chase right from the get-going and kept taking wickets on a regular basis. Dhananjaya de Silva was superb with the ball in his hands today with figures of 4 wickets giving away just 6 runs is commendable. He was well helped by Pramod Madushan as he closed the game by scalping a couple while all the other bowlers chipped in with a wicket each. Dushan Hemantha remained wicketless today.
It's a wrap as Dambulla Aura have won this game by 20 runs. B-Love Kandy started off the run chase a bit sluggishly as they lost both the openers in the powerplay itself but a counterattack from Wanindu Hasaranga and Dinesh Chandimal saw them score 47 for the loss of 2 wickets in the powerplay. But soon the wickets started falling like a deck of cards and the task kept getting bigger and bigger and got the better of B-Love Kandy making them fall apart in the chase. Dinesh Chandimal was the top run-getter scoring 50 runs.
In over# 20
0W
0
0W
4
Pramod Madushan 27/2(3.4)
19.4
W
OUT! BOWLED! Pramod Madushan wraps it up as he hits the blockhole with precision! A pin-point yorker bowled at the stumps. Nuwan Pradeep plays all over the delivery and the ball hits the base of the middle stump. The last B-Love Kandy batter is dismissed as they have been bowled out for 142 runs. This has been a remarkable bowling performance by Dambulla Aura despite a number of changes made to their side.
19.3
.
Bangs this in short and just outside off. Nuwan Pradeep sways out of the way and allows the keeper to collect this.
Nuwan Pradeep walks out last to bat.
19.2
W
OUT! TIMBER! Pramod Madushan strikes as he disturbs the stumps with a straight delivery! This is bowled a fraction fuller and in line with the stumps with pace taken off. Isuru Udana goes for the almighty swing into the leg side but is early into the shot as he is deceived by the speed of the delivery. He does not connect and the stumps are shatters. B-Love Kandy are one wicket away from being bowled out now.
19.1
4
FOUR! What a start to the over and B-Love Kandy still have a mathematical chance of achieving this target! This is bowled full and just outside off. Isuru Udana swings and gets an inside edge towards fine leg for four runs.
In over# 19
1
0
0
6
4
0
Hayden Kerr 35/1(4)
18.6
1
A full toss this time and delivered outside the off stump. Isuru Udana knocks this towards deep cover and takes a single ot keep strike.
18.5
.
Continues to serve this well outside the off pole on a fuller length. Isuru Udana goes into the off side again and goes hard at the ball but misses.
18.4
.
Wide outside the off stump on a fullish length. Isuru Udana walks across and swings his blade but does not connect.
18.3
6
SIX! That has been dispatched over the fence with ease! Hayden Kerr bowls this full and in line with the stumps. Isuru Udana tonks this towards deep mid-wicket for six runs.
18.2
4
FOUR! A bit of fortune but they all count! This is bowled full and outside the off stump. Isuru Udana swings hard and gets an inside edge towards fine leg for four runs.
