Match 3, Kanpur, September 11, 2022, 07:30 PM
Sri Lanka Legends
218/1(20.0ov)
Australia Legends
180/10(18.0ov)
Sri Lanka Legends beat Australia Legends by 38 runs
That's all from this high-scoring entertainer. On Monday, it's going to be New Zealand Legends vs South Africa Legends in Match 4 of this edition. The game will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) but you can join us in advance for the build-up. Cheers!
More good news coming for Sri Lanka as they have pocketed the 2022 Asia Cup trophy against all odds. They outclassed Pakistan by 23 runs in the final. After losing against Afghanistan in the opener, the Lankans went on a roll and took down Bangladesh, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan (twice). Congratulations to them.
Tillakaratne Dilshan, the captain of Sri Lanka Legends, is also the Player of the Match for his 56-ball 107. Says that after six months he was playing and is happy with the knock. Calls it a great feeling. He thanks the ground staff for preparing a great wicket for batting. Admits that they were a bit lucky also and praises Dilshan Munaweera for his innings. Feels that they did a great job on the whole. Tells that both teams played great cricket and this is something the crowd wants to watch.
Shane Watson, the captain of Australia Legends, says that there was plenty of entertainment and a lot of runs were scored. Adds that it was tough to restrict Sri Lanka Legends who were off to a flying start with the bat. Mentions that most of them are coming into this tournament on the back of absolutely no cricket and he feels they still played very well. He is excited and looking forward to the rest of the tournament. Tells that when the blood gets going and the competitive nature sets in, that brings the best out of them.
Stay tuned for the presentation...
Nathan Reardon (46* off 19 balls) comes up for a quick word. He says that it was good fun and it's always good to get a few runs in the game. Mentions that he wants to continue with this form. Shares that he plays a little bit of local cricket back home and adds that the mind likes it but the body doesn't support it. Tells that it's nice to be a part of this tournament and it's also nice to catch up with a few past players and friends.
Sri Lanka Legends will be pleased with their first outing this season. It was an emphatic batting show by Tillakaratne Dilshan and Dilshan Munaweera to power them to a gigantic score and then their bowlers turned on the heat, after blowing cold in the initial phase. Still, there is room for improvement on the field for them and Sri Lanka Legends will like to fine-tune the grey areas as they go ahead. Nuwan Kulasekara was the stand-out bowler, picking up a 4-wicket haul and the two spinners Chaturanga de Silva and Jeevan Mendis were also impressive.
Victory for Sri Lanka Legends but not without a late scare. The start from Australia Legends was bright and breezy with Cameron White and Shane Watson putting on a show in the Powerplay. The Lankan bowlers were under pressure but the wicket of Watson handed them an opening and they capitalized. There was a procession of wickets after that and Australia Legends' chase nosedived. They still managed to score at a fair rate and that's the reason Nathan Reardon's cameo brought some hope to their camp but eventually, losing too many wickets in the middle phase cost them the game.
In over# 18
0W
0W
0
1
1W
6
Nuwan Kulasekara 36/4(4)
17.6
W
OUT! Drags it on! Nathan Reardon remains stranded at the other end. Nuwan Kulasekara dishes out a length ball close to off, Dirk Nannes throws his bat at it but only gets an inside edge onto the stumps. Sri Lanka Legends are relieved. They win by 38 runs.
Dirk Nannes is the number 11 batter. Can he survive the last ball?
17.5
W
OUT! BOWLED! Kulasekara has another wicket. He keeps it on a length and in line with the stumps, Lee has a mighty heave at it but fails to connect. The leg stump goes for a walk and Australia Legends are now nine down.
17.4
.
Fuller length, on off. Brett Lee pushes it back towards the bowler and a good diving stop by Nuwan Kulasekara.
17.3
1
Full toss, outside off. Nathan Reardon plays it towards deep cover for a run.
Brett Lee is the new batter.
17.2
W
OUT! Run out! Jason Krejza is the sacrificial lamb. Too full in length and around off, Reardon digs it out from the inner half to wide mid on and straight away wants two. Jason responds but there is no way he can make it. The throw from Asela Gunaratne comes to the bowler who does the rest. Jason Krejza is not even in the frame. 40 needed off 16 balls.
17.1
6
SIX! Dismissed! Fuller delivery landing outside off, Reardon gets the room to flex his muscles and plunders it straight down the ground for a maximum.
This is a big over. Nuwan Kulasekara to continue. 47 needed off 18 balls.
In over# 17
0
0
1
6
4
4
Isuru Udana 39/0(3)