Galle Marvels march into LPL final for third time

Galle Marvels led by Niroshan Dickwella strode into the Lanka Premier League (LPL) finals for the third time when they beat a lacklustre Jaffna Kings by seven wickets in Qualifier 1 played at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium yesterday.

They made it to the final in the first two editions (2020 and 2021) but lost on both occasions to Jaffna.

Galle hardly broke a sweat in chasing down Jaffna’s total of 177-7 as they won with 11 balls to spare. Jaffna had only themselves to blame for the defeat. They made it difficult for themselves with some sloppy bowling and fielding.

Alex Hales, dropped at 6 and 20 rode his luck to score a 21-ball 36 (5 fours, 2 sixes) and give Galle a head start in the chase as they finished the power play on 70-2. Although Dickwella was dismissed cheaply Janith Liyanage promoted to number four and Tim Seifert were involved in a pivotal 62-ball 92-run stand for the third wicket to virtually seal the game in Galle’s favour. Liyanage was out for 56 made off 36 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes), but Seifert with his fourth LPL fifty took Galle home with 62* off 41 balls (9 fours) finishing off the match in style with a six off Tabraiz Shamsi.

Put into bat first Jaffna lost Pathum Nissanka early, but Kusal Mendis (46 off 39 balls, 4 fours, 1 six), Rilee Rossouw (40 off 22 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes) and Avishka Fernando with his fifth half-century of the current tournament (52 off 33 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes) ensured that Jaffna got to a decent score. At 139-3 in the 17th over, Jaffna were primed for a big finish, but Dwayne Pretorious dragged Galle back with two excellent overs in the death – he finished with 4/23 and took the Player of the Match award.

Galle have two days off before Sunday’s final, while Jaffna will have to play three matches in four days if they make it to the final. Jaffna still have a chance of making it to the final when they play the winner of the Eliminator on Saturday in Qualifier 2. 

– (ST)

Scores: 

Jaffna Kings – 177-7 (20) (Kusal Mendis 46, Rilee Roussouw 40, Avishka Fernando 52, Dwaine Pretorious – 4/23, Isuru Udana 2/37)

Galle Marvels – 181-3 (18.1) (Alex Hales 36, Tim Seiffert 62*, Janith Liyanage 56)