Dambulla Aura win by 50 runs from Colombo Strikers in crucial LPL 2023 match
Dambulla Aura decided to bat first but they kept losing wickets, and loose two consectuive wickets at 19 and third wicket on 24 and fourth wicket on 46 in 6.5 overs. But then the fifth wicket gave them a stand of 102 runs on just 72 balls and they managed to reach at 166/5.
Colombo Strikers did not perform well and kept losing wickets, the main player Baber Azam also got out after making just 11 runs from 13 deliveries, all Colombo team were out at 116.
Captain of the winning team, Mendis said after the match,
“The pitch displayed much better conditions compared to yesterday. Despite the early loss of a few wickets, our partnership between McDermott and Ross showcased their adaptability to these conditions. Personally, I’ve had a satisfactory performance in just one match. However, my teammates have been contributing significantly, which is benefiting the team. In T20s, strong performances from just one or two batters can make all the difference. Hopefully, I’ll be able to contribute in the upcoming games.”
Captain of the loosing team, Dickwella expressed his perspective,
In a losing effort, Dickwella, the captain of the opposing team, expressed his perspective: “We were performing well up until the 15th over. Unfortunately, a missed chance and lapses in execution followed. The target may have been 20 runs more than it should have been. Despite being one of the strongest teams initially, we’ve faced challenges with dropped catches and lost games since then.”
Aura has now secured their spot in the playoffs, leaving three more openings to be claimed. The Jaffna Kings have the chance to secure a place if they emerge victorious against the Galle Titans in the first match. Later in the evening, the B-Love Kandy team will take on the Colombo Strikers. Until then, take a moment to relax.
The Player of the Match title goes to Ben McDermott for his commendable innings of 69 runs off 42 balls.
McDermott shared his insights: “The initial phase was quite challenging. I had some luck on my side. With wickets falling frequently, I had to anchor the innings. Ross also played an exceptional innings. Towards the end, we focused on accumulating runs rapidly, and fortunately, we managed to achieve that tonight.”
With this victory, Dambulla Aura ascends to the top of the table, securing 10 points from five wins out of seven matches.
Although the target didn’t seem daunting at first, Noor Ahmad and Dushan Hemantha emerged as dominant forces during the middle overs. Hasan Ali showcased his skills both with the new ball and in the concluding stages, with valuable support from Binura Fernando.
Earlier in the match, the partnership of 102 runs between McDermott and Ross laid the foundation for Aura’s total. This significant partnership took them from a shaky position of 46 for 4 to a more formidable stance. The partnership was established over 72 deliveries.
