07/12Result
4th Match (N), Lanka Premier League at Hambantota, Dec 7 2022
Kandy won by 5 wkts (30b rem)
Player of the Match
Carlos Brathwaite
Carlos BrathwaiteKandy Falcons
07/12Result
4th Match (N), Lanka Premier League at Hambantota, Dec 7 2022
Kandy won by 5 wkts (30b rem)
Player of the Match
Carlos Brathwaite
Carlos BrathwaiteKandy Falcons

END OF OVER:
15 | 13 Runs 1 Wkt | KAF: 123/5 | RR: 8.20

  • Wanindu Hasaranga8 (3b)
  • Carlos Brathwaite4 (4b)
  • Pulina Tharanga2-0-20-1
  • Nuwan Thushara3-0-18-1

And that brings to an end to our coverage for the day. Reminder that tomorrow will have just the one match, at 3pm, between Dambulla Aura and Colombo Stars. Be sure to join us for that, but until then on behalf of Abhimanyu, this is Madushka saying goodbye!

Winning captain Wanindu Hasaranga: "Our foreign players have done a really good job, as well our local players, we have a really good experienced side. We have a good bench as well, we're going with a balanced side. Sometimes good players have to take their chances. [looking forward to playing in Kandy?] Yeah we'll be playing in front of our home crowd, and hope for good support from our fans." Losing captain Kusal Mendis: "We lost a few wickets early and that really set the tone for the low total. Next match we need to win, we have a few more players to utilise in our squad so I think we can hope for a better performance next time."

Carlos Brathwaite is the Player of the Match for his figures of 4 for 14: "In terms of the bowling just kept it simple, tried to get the edge into play. Got a couple of fortunate ones, but all in all happy with my new role in opening the bowling."

Time now for the presentation ceremony...

Tinura: "Winning with 5 overs to spare and still NRR decreases! Falcons are here this time to fight...." Indeed, hard to believe this is the same team that had won just three games in both of the last two editions.

10.43pm Falcons win then with five wickets to spare, and it's just them and Kings that have a perfect record still intact. It's fitting that Carlos Brathwaite was out in the middle when the winning runs were scored as it was his four wicket burst in the powerplay that set up an ultimately comfortable win. Yes there were some dropped catches that let Gladiators back into the game - and that's something Falcons will be keen to brush up on - but even with those indiscretions they managed to limit their opponents to just 121. Then in the chase, Nissanka and Fletcher once more set a decent platform before Mendis took the chase through to the end, only falling short right at its conclusion.

14.6
4
Tharanga to PW Hasaranga, FOUR, Again finds the deep midwicket boundary, and with that the win! Tossed up and Hasaranga connects with a flat slog sweep to make it two wins in two for the Falcons!
14.5
0
Tharanga to PW Hasaranga, no run, good length, clipped towards midwicket
14.4
4
Tharanga to PW Hasaranga, FOUR, Boundary straight away! This was dragged short and Hasaranga is on this like a rash, pulled hard to deep midwicket

That wicket brings the skipper to the crease.

Mendis goes for a well played 44 off 34.

14.3
W
Tharanga to Mendis, OUT, And Mendis can't see it through! Comes down the track and looks to go inside out over long-off, but he only connects with the toe end of the bat. The ball goes high but straight to long-off.

PHKD Mendis c Wahab Riaz b Tharanga 44 (34b 4x4 2x6) SR: 129.41

14.2
1lb
Tharanga to Brathwaite, 1 leg bye, looks to go again, but this time he's not quite at the length. Ball beats the pad and goes on to strike the back pad. It's going down leg though.
14.1
4
Tharanga to Brathwaite, FOUR, Lofted down the ground! Tharanga tosses this right up and Brathwaite just muscles it down the ground with ease, bisecting the men on the ropes.

Nice little side-by-side comparison on broadcast between Thushara and Zahoor Khan's slinging actions. Zaman looks to have a straighter wrist, which will likely help with more swing.

END OF OVER:
14 | 3 Runs | KAF: 110/4 (12 runs required from 36 balls, RR: 7.85, RRR: 2.00)

  • Kamindu Mendis44 (33b)
  • Carlos Brathwaite0 (2b)
  • Nuwan Thushara3-0-18-1
  • Nuwan Pradeep3-0-34-2
13.6
0
Thushara to Mendis, no run, Swinging in to the pads, attempted yorker but this is more of a full toss. Kamindu nevertheless is beaten and gets hit on the front pad. Thushara appeals, but it's clearly swinging down leg
13.5
0
Thushara to Mendis, no run, full and straight, stays in the crease and pushes this back towards the bowler
13.5
1w
Thushara to Mendis, 1 wide, Digs it in short now, but too short this. Bounces well over Kamindu
13.4
0
Thushara to Mendis, no run, Another well directed yorker, right on middle and off. Worked straight to midwicket
13.3
1lb
Thushara to Brathwaite, 1 leg bye, leg stump yorker now, raps Brathwaite on the pads but this is sliding down leg. Brathwaite might have got some bat on it as well as it goes down towards fine leg
13.2
0
Thushara to Brathwaite, no run, Full and quick, 135kph, and the late out swing just takes this past off stump. Brathwaite makes room to almost fatal effect
13.1
1
Thushara to Mendis, 1 run, good length, pace-off outside off, cut down towards deep point

nis: "@madushka Speaking of the pre world cup domestic tournament, I remember Movin Subasinghe dispatching Hasaranga for couple of sixers in that tournament. Since then I was looking forward for him to play LPL and have a breakthrough season. Will see if he continues the good form shown today" Good shout. Even Dabare, who got out very early today, had a pretty impressive tournament.

END OF OVER:
13 | 11 Runs 1 Wkt | KAF: 107/4 (15 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 8.23, RRR: 2.14)

  • Kamindu Mendis43 (29b)
  • Nuwan Pradeep3-0-34-2
  • Pulina Tharanga1-0-8-0

They briefly check for Pradeep possibly overstepping, but he's got just enough behind the line.

12.6
W
Pradeep to Allen, OUT, Down deep square leg's throat! Slower ball from Pradeep, and this aerial front foot pick-up shot of off the middle and leg cannot clear the man in the deep.

FA Allen c Iftikhar Ahmed b Pradeep 10 (10b 1x4 0x6) SR: 100.00

12.5
1
Pradeep to Mendis, 1 run, full on the pads now, clipped down to deep backward square leg
12.4
6
Pradeep to Mendis, SIX, All the way over fine leg! Pradeep again directed a short one on the pads, and Mendis just helps this on its way. Pulls it high and far.
12.3
0
Pradeep to Mendis, no run, Bouncer, but better directed. Just angles across Mendis, who looks to uppercut this but can't make contact
12.3
1w
Pradeep to Mendis, 1 wide, Short again, and another one that veers down leg. That also brings up the 100 for Falcons.
12.2
1
Pradeep to Allen, 1 run, short of a length outside off, opens the face and cuts this down to third man
12.1
1
Pradeep to Mendis, 1 run, back of a length, dabbed towards third man off his chest
12.1
1w
Pradeep to Mendis, 1 wide, Well that's not going to help their cause. Bouncer but it's down leg.

Pradeep replaces Imad.

Falcons easing their way through this chase. Gladiators need wickets, and they need them soon. 26 needed off 48.

END OF OVER:
12 | 8 Runs | KAF: 96/3 (26 runs required from 48 balls, RR: 8.00, RRR: 3.25)

  • Kamindu Mendis35 (25b)
  • Fabian Allen9 (8b)
  • Pulina Tharanga1-0-8-0
  • Imad Wasim3-0-18-0
11.6
1
Tharanga to Mendis, 1 run, good length on the stumps, skips down the track and drives this to long on
11.5
1
Tharanga to Allen, 1 run, goes for the slog sweep and misses, ball loops behind off the back pad and they get a single. Might have been close for lbw, but there's a hint of bat on this I think

Kandy 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st30ADS FletcherP Nissanka
2nd29PHKD MendisP Nissanka
3rd14PHKD MendisKNA Bandara
4th34FA AllenPHKD Mendis
5th8CR BrathwaitePHKD Mendis
6th8CR BrathwaitePW Hasaranga