Marvellous Galle back to winning ways, thump defending champs Kandy

Galle Marvels pair Tim Seifert and Alex Hales set up new LPL record with highest powerplay score 89/1

Kandy Falcons Captain Wanindu Hasaranga helped team recover with a knock of 65 off 32 balls 

Galle Marvels were back to winning ways with a thumping six-wicket win over defending champions Kandy Falcons that saw them tie on first place with Jaffna Kings on six points in the first double-header of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) played at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium yesterday.

Galle was sensational in the powerplay with both bat and ball. On a fresh pitch that afforded some swing and movement, they reduced Kandy to 32-4 with the ball and when it came to their turn to bat, blazed away to the highest powerplay score in the history of the LPL – 89-1 thanks to the pyrotechnics of Alex Hales (38 off 19 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes) and Tim Seifert (82* off 49 balls, 11 fours, 2 sixes) who broke the back of the chase and set up a big win.

Kandy recovered well from losing four wickets in the powerplay to post a total of 175-7. Andre Fletcher started off with a half-century off 36 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes) and skipper Wanindu Hasaranga provided the final flourish to the innings smashing 65 off just 32 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes). 

Signs that the pitch was improving after Player of the Match Isuru Udana had made use of the early movement to slice through the top order, was indicated by Kandy scoring 67 in the last five overs. 

This is Kandy’s third loss on the bounce and they remain bottom of the table with Dambulla Sixers who are the only team without a win so far. – (ST)

Scores: 

Kandy Falcons 175-7 (20) (Andre Fletcher 50, Angelo Mathews 25, Wanindu Hasaranga 65*, Isuru Udana 3/30, Zahoor Khan 2/29)

Galle Marvels 176-4 (17.1) (Alex Hales 38, Tim Seifert 82*, Shoriful Islam 2/32)