By Srian Obeyesekere
Yesterday’s Galle Marvels versus Dambulla Sixes Sri Lanka Cricket organized Lanka Premier League game was indeed a marvel that went Galle’s way from the jaws of defeat when at one stage their opponents looked well poised to pull it off with Reeza Hendricks very much in control of the situation when they were on but choked needing 8 for victory in the last over, but stumbled to 148 all out in a dramatic tie that went to a super over decider that Galle ultimately won with ease scoring 10 for no loss with England star Alex Hales hammering a four and six in another dramatic finish after Galle were stumped on 6 for 2 with both Reeza Hendricks and Mohammad Nabi yanked out by Maheesh Theekshana in the day-night contest at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.
The day belonged to Theekshana who topped his 3 for 26 by a decisive final burst of the two super over wickets.
Thus, Hendricks 57-ball 72 effort and Dambulla Sixers victory charge evaporated from the doorstep of sealing it as Galle Marvels would sit back and marvel they got there from the nothingness of hovering defeat following an inapt batting display, the highest score being 38 by Alex Hales in a total of 148 for 9 off 20.
Galle Marvels scored 148 for 9 wickets after being invited to bat first. Dambulla Sixes matched this with 148 for 7 wickets, leading to a super over. In the super over, Dambulla Sixes managed only six runs, losing Reeza Hendricks and Mohammad Nabi to Maheesh Theekshana, who was named Man of the Match for his excellent bowling (3 for 26) and his super over performance.
As Hales would later acknowledge to my post-match question ‘it was a victory that came when the game looked well in their pocket mainly due to the efforts of our bowlers.’
CHIEF SCORES:
Galle Marvels 148/9 (20 Overs)
(Alex Hales 38, Tim Seifert 23, Dwaine Pretorius 16, Sahan Arachchige 15, Janith Liyanage 13, Mohammed Nabi 2/14, Dushan Hementha 2/19, Nuwan Pradeep 2/42, Chamindu Wickrmasinghe 1/9, Dilshan Madushanka 1/20, Nuwan Thushara 1/33)
Dambulla Sixers 148/7 (20 Overs)
(Reeza Hendricks 72, Ibrahim Zadran 30, Mohammed Nabi 25, Lahiru Udara 12, Maheesh Theekshana 3/26, Dwaine Pretorius 1/27, Kavindu Nadeeshan 1/29, Sahan Arachchige 1/13)
