Dambulla Sixers prevail in high-scoring battle; Galle Gallants continue winning run
Dambulla Sixers recorded their maiden win while Galle Gallants continued their victorious march on the second day of Lanka Premier League 6 in two games played at the SSC in Colombo yesterday.
Dambulla Sixers tactfully averted Kandy Royals from capitalising, as they sealed a win by 18 runs in the second game of the LPL 6 in the evening game, with opener Reeza Hendricks stealing the show with a brilliant knock that earned his the player-of-the-match award. Electing to bat, Dambulla Sixers posted 205-6, and curtailed Kandy Royals at 187-6, in a high scoring game.
In the night game, Colombo Kaps were put into bat by Galle Gallants, who chased down the target with four deliveries to spare following a dominant knock from opener Sam Harper, who deservingly was named the player of the game.
Dambulla Sixers posted 205-6 after Player-of-the-Match Reeza Hendricks’ enterprising knock, coupled with Naib’s useful cameo, took their team to a reasonable total. Both Hendricks and Naib remained unbeaten and had added an unbroken stand of 94 runs for the seventh wicket when their innings came to an end. Hendricks remained unbeaten on 87 off 50 balls, hit 11 fours and two sixes, while Naib struck a 23-ball 46 with two fours and four sixes. Dushan Hemantha and substitute Nuwan Thushara picked two wickets each.
Kandy Royals were chasing a challenging target of 206 runs set by Dambulla Sixers, and it looked feasible at a point with Lahiru Udara and Dale Phillips setting the tone following the dismissal of openers Vishen Halambage and Kusal Perera on 22 by the third over. Phillips struck a 39-ball 52 with five fours and two sixes, and was looking dangerous with Vijay Shankar on the other end to steer Kandy Royals to a famous win with a valuable stand of 34 off 17 deliveries. Udara made 44 off 28 deliveries after hitting five fours and two sixes. Naib and Wasim claimed two wickets each.
In the game to follow, Colombo Kaps made 189-8, with skipper Kusal Mendis setting the tone. He struck 79 runs off 53 deliveries, hitting two boundaries and sending seven hits over the rope, while Ben McDermott hit 57 off 34 deliveries with six boundaries and a couple of sixes. Left-arm seamer Akif Javed claimed four wickets.
Opener Sam Harper took charge of the run-chase for Galle Gallants, who won the opening game of LPL 6 against Jaffna Kings on Friday. Harper struck six boundaries and hit three sixes on his way to score 65 runs after facing 45 deliveries, while Sahan Arachchige took Galle Gallants towards victory with an unbeaten 38 off 16 deliveries, hitting seven fours. Charith Asalanka continued his form with a 21-ball 28, while Wanuja Sahan and Hasan Mahmud picked two wickets each.
| Brief Scores | |
Dambulla Sixers 205 for 6 (20) (Reeza Hendricks 87n.o., Gulbadin Naib 46n.o., Sahibzada Farhan 23, Marques Ackerman 16; Dushan Hemantha 2/26, Nuwan Thushara 2/35) Kandy Royals 187 for 6 (20) (Dale Phillips 52, Mahiru Udara 44, Vijay Shankar 41n.o., Wanindu Hasaranga 21; Gulbadin Naib 2/19, Mohammad Wasim 2/39)
Colombo Kaps 189 for 8 (20) (Kusal Mendis 79, Ben McDermott 57, Sadeera Samarawickrama 15; Akif Javed 4/40) Galle Gallants 191 for 5 (19.2) (Sam Harper 65, Sahan Arachchige 38n.o., CHarith Asalanka 28, Lasith Croospulle 17, Mohammad Nawaz 16n.o.; Wanuja Sahan 2/19, Hasan Mahmud 2/31) |