Evans smashes hundred and seals Jaffna’s fate

One of the problems in tournaments is that you don’t want to peak too early. Jaffna Stallions maybe feeling the pinch. The well organized franchise won four straight games and everything was going their way. Then they started too many experiments and the wheels started coming off. Their loss at the hands of Colombo Kings yesterday at Suriyawewa was only by six runs, but more worryingly they have now lost  three games in a row.

Three straight losses has resulted in them being pushed to number three in the points table after being the table leaders.  This means that they will meet either Colombo Kings or Dambulla Viikings, both teams in good form, in the semis. Had they topped the table, their semi-final would have been against one of the two teams struggling to make an impact – Galle Gladiators or Kandy Tuskers.

Laurie Evans made a mark scoring the first ever century in the LPL. The opener finished unbeaten on 108 off 65 balls with nine fours and five sixes.  His effort enabled Colombo Kings to finish with a competitive 173 for four and in the end it proved to be enough.

Suranga Lakmal, who shared the new ball, was on the money finishing with figures of one for 26 in his four overs. The leg-spin of Wanindu Hasaranga was tidy as always but the most efficient was off-spinner Mahesh Theekshana, whose three overs just cost 17 runs.

The run chase didn’t gain momentum until Thisara Perera joined Shoaib Malik. When the pair were out in the middle, the target of 174 looked well within Jaffna Stallions’ reach and into the bargain there were some costly fielding mistakes as well.

However, their dismissals in successive deliveries took the momentum away from Jaffna Stallions. Andre Russell claimed both wickets to finish with three for 46.

Colombo Kings have gained momentum leading up to the business end of the competition. Their coach Herschelle Gibbs wasn’t to be seen in the dugout yesterday. It’s said that he had been suspended by the franchise following an altercation with a senior player of the side. They will have to patch up differences and turn up focused for today’s game against Colombo Viikings.

Although both teams are through to the semis, this ain’t a dead rubber. The winner of this contest will top the group and will not have to worry about playing Jaffna Stallions in the semi-final.