By Srian Obeyesekee
New Zealander Tim Seifert, who scored a century in his first outing but ended on the losing side, yesterday made no mistake about it reeling out an unbeaten 82 off 42 balls in taking Galle Marvels to a 6-wicket win with 17 balls to spare in trumping the cameo 32-ball 65 by Kandy Falcons skipper Wanindu Hasaranga who thrashed 3 sixes and 7 boundaries in a total of 175 for 4 yesterday at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.
Kandy Marvels, in the process, fired the highest LPL Powerplay score of 89 for 1 in 6 overs with Seifert and England star Alex Hales 38 off 19 balls with 3 sixes and 4 boundaries posting 79 for the second-wicket with Hasaranga taken to the cleaners for 27 in his very first over.
Hasaranga’s effort in the end wasn’t enough to stave off defeat despite having rescued his side from the low of 77 for 5. Kandy Falcons recovered from 32 for 4 wickets during the power play, thanks to opening batsman Andre Fletcher’s 50 off 36 balls inclusive of four boundaries and 2 sixes, and Angelo Mathews 25 off 27 before Hasaranga stepped into taking the side from the depths of 77 for 5 after 11.2 overs adding 58 for the sixth-wicket with Mathews.
Isuru Udana was adjudged Player of the Match for his 3 for 30.
CHIEF SCORES:
Kandy Falcons 175/5 (20 Overs)
(Wanindu Hasaranga n.o. 65, Andre Fletcher 50, Angelo Mathews 25, Kamindu Mendis 10, Isuru Udana 3/30, Zahoor Khan 2/29, Maheesh Theekshana 1/32, Dwaine Pretorius 1/40)
Galle Marvels 176/4 (17.1 Overs)
(Tim Seifert n.o. 82, Alex Hales 38, Bhanuka Rajapaksa 16, Niroshan Dickwella 12, Janith Liyanage 11, Shoriful Islam 2 for 32, Wanindu Hasaranga 1/36, Lakshan Sandakan 1/46)