JK VS CS MATCH 1

That is it then from the curtain raise of the Lanka Premier League 2023 and it is the reigning champions who have started with a fairly commanding victory. The action continues on Monday, the 31st of July with a doubleheader lined up. In the first game, Galle Titans will go up against Dambulla Aura and that game will begin at 3 pm IST (9.30 am GMT). This will be followed by a contest between B-Love Kandy and Colombo Strikers at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). Our build-up for both those games will begin sooner, so, do join us for all the action. Cheers!

Jaffna Kings skipper, Thisara Perera is now in for a quick chat. He says that he is happy with how the tournament started for them. Adds that he has confidence in his players and that they have a good side. Closes by saying that David Miller and afew of their other overseas players have arrived in the country and will be ready for the next game.

Chamika Karunaratne is in for a chat on behalf of the Colombo Strikers' captain Niroshan Dickwella. Chamika says that they took the right decision of bowling first but bowled a few too many extras and should have kept the opposition to under 160 runs. Adds that they should have had one solid batter in the middle but they went with local talent in the middle order. Mentions that his run out was crucial and if he had stayed on they would have won the game.

Vijayakanth Viyaskanth is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his stellar display with the ball. He says he is very happy with the performance. Adds that he has been chatting with Ravichandran Ashwin and his tips help him a lot. Mentions that the plan was to bowl wicket to wicket and thanks his coaches for backing him.

The presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Niroshan Dickwella won the toss and put Jaffna Kings into bat. Rahmanullah Gurbaz got out of the blocks quickly and the other top-order batters did get starts but couldn't press on. It was the partnership between Towhid Hridoy and Priyamal Perera that really provided the impetus to their innings and a strong finish from Thisara Perera and Dunith Wellalage meant that the reigning champions put on a big total on the board. For Colombo Strikers, Matheesha Pathirana did bowl well and got a wicket as well but leaked a few runs toward the end, and even though Mohammad Nawaz didn't get a wicket, he did stem the flow of runs. Coming to the chase, it was up and down for most of the game but in the back end of the innings Jaffna managed the game better.

Colombo Strikers were always in the game but just didn't play the big occasions well and that caused their downfall. After losing Babar Azam and Pathum Nissanka early, skipper Niroshan Dickwella took command and played a quick-fire knock, notching up his fifty in the process as well. The middle order didn't do much but Chamika Karunaratne did lead a fightback before succumbing to an unnecessary run out. From there on it was an uphill task and only Ramesh Mendis managed to get in a few lusty blows before they were eventually bundled out in the final over.

The opening game of LPL 2023 has proved to be an enthralling contest but in what was a repeat of last edition's final, reigning champions Jaffna Kings just proved to be too strong for Colombo Strikers and have ended up winning the game. Jaffna had a solid total on the board and after an expensive first over with the ball, they picked up a couple of quick wickets. Throughout the chase, they were able to break crucial stands. A couple of bowlers stood out as Hardus Viljoen picked up three wickets and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth bowled a lovely spell also picking up a couple of wickets. Their fielding was on point as well and that made a huge difference at crucial times.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Dilshan Madushanka finishes things off in style and Jaffna Kings win the game. He Steams in from over the wicket and bowls it full on leg stump. Matheesha Pathirana makes a bit of room and looks to drive at it but is beaten all ends up. The ball crashes into middle and leg and Jaffna Kings win by 21 runs.

Full and straight, just outside off. Matheesha Pathirana shuffles across the crease but fails to connect.

Bangs it short around the middle and leg stump line. Matheesha Pathirana swings hard and misses.

Back of a length, angled across. Sandakan goes for the pull and top edges this on a bounce to deep third for a single.

Full-length delivery at the stumps. Matheesha Pathirana clears his front leg and creams the drive straight to extra cover.

Swing and a miss! Back of a length, angled in. Matheesha Pathirana pulls and misses.

FOUR! TAKE THAT! Back of a length around off. Matheesha Pathirana clears his front leg and lofts it over the mid-off fielder down the ground for another boundary.

Back of a length, angled in. Matheesha Pathirana looks to slice it away but misses.

FOUR! BANG! Pitched up full and outside off. Matheesha Pathirana creams the drive through covers for a boundary.