Kusals fire Dambulla to LPL final

The aura surrounding Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League has slipped and the team with the new winning formula is Dambulla Aura, who did so well during the league stage of the tournament to top the group. They continued their impressive run in the first Qualifier knocking off Galle Titians yesterday at RPS to book a berth in the finals.

Dambulla Aura have got both the fire power in top of the order and batters who could consolidate and a run chase of 147 proved to be not much of a challenge as they reached home with six wickets and two deliveries to spare.

The two Kusals – Perera and Mendis – were the architects of Dambulla’s win with contrasting innings. Captain Mendis cut down the loose strokes and concentrated at the job at hand while Perera cut loose punishing the bad balls.

Galle’s spin trio had created havoc in their last league game against Colombo Strikers, but Perera and Mendis brought in their experience to keep the spinners in check after the quicks had failed to provide early breakthroughs.

The early fire work was provided by Avishka Fernando, who smashed 24 off 14 balls with one four and three sixes.

Mendis steadied the innings and was unfortunate to miss out on a well deserved half-century as he was ruled out leg before wicket after Galle Titans successfully reviewed and overturned a decision. Mendis scored 49 off 45 balls with six fours.

Perera, meanwhile, put out a show, smashing 53 off 39 balls with four fours and three sixes. He was dismissed in the last over with scores levelled.All hope is not lost for Galle Titans though as they will play the winners of the Eliminator on Saturday.

Galle’s total of 146 was largely due to the efforts of their young opening batsman Lasith Croospulle.The former Maris Stella College cricketer smashed 80 off 61 balls with seven fours before being dismissed in the penultimate ball of the innings. There was little support for Croospulle as the next best score in the Galle innings was Shakib-al-Hasan’s 19.

Had Galle managed to score something in the range of 160, given their bowling attack, this could have been a tight game.Hayden Kerr with three wickets and Noor Ahmed with two wickets impressed for Dambulla.

Brief Scores:

Galle Titans 146 all out (20)

(Lasith Croospulle 80, Shakib-Al-Hasan 19, Hayden Kerr 3-18, Noor Ahmed 2-27)

Dambulla Aura 147-4 (19.4)

(Avishka Fernando 24, Kusal Mendis 49, Kusal Perera 53, Seekkuge Prasanna 1-22)

Result: Dambulla Aura won by six wickets