CS VS GM MATCH 19

Right then, that is it from the game. A not thoroughly convincing but a comfortable victory nevertheless for the Colombo Strikers as they make it into the playoffs. Galle Marvels, even after losing the game, will end in the top two on a better net run rate than the Jaffna Kings. The Lanka Premier League 2024 action continues as we have the final league game lined up on Tuesday, the 16th of July. It will be the Dambulla Sixers versus Colombo Strikers. Plenty will be riding on that game, as a victory for Colombo takes them and Kandy into the playoffs while a victory for Dambulla by a good margin could see them knock Kandy out and take Jaffna into Qualifier 1, themselves qualifying as well. The first ball will be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). Do join us for the early build up as well. Until then, take care, and cheers!

Thisara Perera, the victorious captain of Colombo Strikers, says it's getting better and better. Adds that things didn't go well in Dambulla and Pallekelle, but now they are doing good as a unit. Adds that their target is to win their last remaining league game and finish in the top two.

Niroshan Dickwella, the captain of the Galle Marvels, says that they gave opportunities to some players and it was a kind of experiment. He adds that Jeffrey Vandersay bowled well, but he himself will have to put in more effort with the bat.

Matheesha Pathirana is the Player of the Match for his phenomenal bowling figures. He says he didn't think about the last few games as they didn't go well for him. Says he came up with a few plans and executed them perfectly. He ends up thanking his team for trusting in him.

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Earlier in the game, the Colombo Strikers' bowlers performed exceptionally well, with Binura Fernando and Dunith Wellalage taking early wickets and Isitha Wijesundara and Matheesha Pathirana maintaining the pressure. Shadab Khan also excelled with a double-wicket over. For the Galle Marvels, Bhanuka Rajapaksa played aggressively scoring 35 off 15, and Tim Seifert's innings ended on 44 runs. They struggled towards the end as well, managing just 30 runs in the last 5 overs.

A difficult game to process for the Galle Marvels. Though they managed to pick up two wickets inside the Powerplay, the Colombo Strikers were striking at almost a run rate of 10. Galle then failed to pick wickets at regular intervals and the Waseem-Phillips stand deflated them. However, they will still finish in the top two due to a better net run rate.

A convincing victory for the Colombo Strikers, and with this win, they have confirmed their spot in the playoffs! Chasing a below-par total of 139, they were off to a slow start, losing two quick wickets. However, Muhammad Waseem then decided to press on the accelerator while Glenn Phillips played alongside as a second fiddle, and it paid off for them. After Waseem's dismissal, things slowed down considerably and one might feel that the Strikers were making matters difficult for themselves, but eventually, they got the job done.

FOUR! A fine way to wrap up things! Sahan Arachchige drops a tossed up delivery on middle, Sadeera Samarawickrama premeditates the shot, shuffles a bit to the off side, and sweeps it over square leg for a cracking boundary. Colombo Strikers win by 7 wickets and they are the third team to advance into the playoffs of this edition of the Lanka Premier League!

Arachchige tosses up a low full toss on the leg stump, Glenn Phillips hits it along the grass for a single to long on. Scores are level now.

Another overpitched delivery around the off, Glenn Phillips shovels it down to long on for a single to end the over. Just 2 runs are needed now.

Slightly overpitched on off, Sadeera Samarawickrama digs it to point for a quick single.

Slows it up on a length does Isuru Udana, outside off, Sadeera Samarawickrama tries to punch it away off the back foot but misses out on the connection.

FOUR! Nicely done! Isuru Udana goes fuller in length and keeps the line on off, Sadeera Samarawickrama sees the fielder inside the ring and lofts it over mid off for a boundary. Just a hit away then!

NO BALL! A vicious delivery over the waist height. Sadeera Samarawickrama fails to time the pull shot and the ball rolls towards short fine. Free Hit coming up.

Full in length, on off, this is worked down to long on for a single by Glenn Phillips.

SIX! Flat and over the ropes! Short in length and around off, Glenn Phillips pulls it in the air, flat and over the deep square leg fence.