Sports
Jaffna look to break Galle hoodoo in final showdown
Lanka Premier League 2021 – Final
By Roscoe Thattil Reporting from Suriyawewa
Jaffna Kings finished the league phase at the top of the table, they have seemed to be the most consistent team throughout LPL 2021 and they definitely look the best all-round team on paper. But for some reason they haven’t been able to get past the Galle Gladiators in each of their three previous encounters in this edition. However, it all comes down to who plays the better cricket in the final 40 overs of the competition to be crowed the champions of the LPL 2021.
The Afghanistan pocket rocket Rahmanullah Gurbaz has found his mojo in the latter part of the tournament and will be a threat to the Gladiators at the top of the order, while his opening partner Avishka Fernado hit a memorable century in the second qualifier on Tuesday(21). Fernando’s century is also the only time a batter reached the three figure mark this season.
The Kings have a devastating batting line up to follow in the likes of Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Shoaib Malik, Thisara Perera and Wanindu Hasaranga, while the less known soldier Ashan Randika could be devastating and win a game on his own with the bat too.
There seemed to be plenty of life for the fast bowlers at the Sooriyawewa Stadium in the second Qualifier and the Kings might be tempted to replace Chathuranga de Silva with youngster Chamika Gunasekara who is a decent right arm quick bowler. Jayden Seales seems to be a handful on this pitches and the Kings missed a trick by not playing him in the first Qualifier.
The ever reliable Wanindu Hasaranga has gone under the radar a bit during the past couple of games and is due a performance while Maheesh Theekshana’s stocks continue to rise with continuous impressive performances and will be a man to watch out for in the final.
The Galle Gladiators had their ups and downs during the league phase but a smooth game in the first Qualifier meant they reached the final without breaking a sweat thanks to a stunning century opening stand between the returning duo of Danushka Gunathilake and Kusal Mendis. These two will hold the key once again in the batting department for the boys from the south while the likes of skipper Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Mohammad Hafeez and Samit Patel will need to step up with the bat.
Nuwan Thusara also known as “podi Mali” had a dream game in the first Qualifier capturing five Kings’ wicket and will once again be a threat to the same opposition. He has the experienced Mohammad Amir as his opening bowling partner who will look to swing the new ball to breakthrough early while also be the key for the Gladiators at the death.
Patel has been the star spinner for the Gladiators and skipper Rajapaksa has plenty of other spin options too in the likes of Hafeez, Pulina Tharanga and Sahan Arachchige. Isuru Udana has gone under the radar but he has been very smart with the ball for the Gladiators and his variations will be a key once again in the final.
Interestingly, this is also a repeat of the final of the 2020 Lanka Premier League, where the Jaffna Kings went on to clinch the inaugural LPL title.
Probable XIs
Jaffna Kings:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz(wk), Avishka Fernando, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Shoaib Malik, Ashan Randika, Thisara Perera(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chathuranga de Silva/Chamika Gunasekara, Jayden Seales, Suranga Lakmal, Maheesha Theekshana
Galle Gladiators:
Kusal Mendis(wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa(c), Mohammad Hafeez, Sahan Arachchige, Samit Patel, Anwar Ali, Pulina Tharanga, Isuru Udana, Mohammad Amir, Nuwan Thushara
When my good friend Nimal Welgama requested me to pen a few lines about Sir Gary Sobers as I had the privilege of playing for Sri Lanka against the mighty West Indies as they were known then, I was wondering whether I can do justice to this awesome cricketing all rounder.
In this particular game Sir Gary fell short of scoring his usual hundred. Sir Gary had a flair for unique stylishness which no other cricketer matched and it came naturally to him. He wore his shirt open all the way down to the navel perhaps to keep himself cool from the hot weather one encounters when playing cricket.He walked into bat leaning forward slightly with a gait that that had confidence written all over it.I had the good fortune of viewing on a video clip of an innings of 230 plus he made in a Match against Australia against a formidable attack headed by fearsome Dennis Lillee where he tore the the bowling to shreds.This innings was described by probably the greatest batters of all time Sir Donald Bradman as the best innings he has witnessed live.A tribute difficult to ignore. I wish to conclude by saying that Sir Garfield Sobers was an all rounder of exceptional ability which void will be hard to fill.
by Anura Tennekoon ✍️
Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute to lift Spain to their second World Cup title with a 1-0 win im extra time over 10-man Argentina in the final.
Torres’s deserved winner on Sunday came 16 years and eight days after Andres Iniesta also scored in extra time to lift the Spaniards to their first World Championship with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands.
It came on La Roja’s 20th shot in the contest against defending champions Argentina that failed to manage any to that point and struggled to wrest possession away from their superior Iberian opponents.
That was true at even strength and became more difficult when La Albiceleste’s numbers were reduced when Enzo Fernandez’s late challenge on Pau Cubarsi left referee Slavko Vincic no choice but to produce a second caution just before the end of normal time.
Spain remain the only nation ever to win a European Championship and World Cup in successive tournaments, having now done so a second time. They are also the first World Cup champions ever to concede only once across an entire tournament.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina failed to earn a title for the first time in three major tournaments, having also captured the 2021 and 2024 Copa Americas either side of their 2022 World Cup triumph.
The 39-year-old eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi finished the competition with eight goals and four assists, but had little time on the ball in the final until Spain finally took the lead. And he never seriously looked like he would lift his side to another great moment as he has so many times in the last two World Cup cycles.
Emi Martinez made 11 saves for La Albiceleste, who fell short in their bid to be the first consecutive World Cup champions since Brazil won the 1958 and 1962 titles.
What had felt so difficult for the first 105 minutes suddenly looked easy after 37 seconds of play in the second period of extra time.
Pedro Porro curled in an out-swinging cross from the left to the back post, Nico Williams won the header and nodded it back into space, and Torres hammered a half-volley at last past the flailing Martinez.
It was his only goal of the tournament, making him the seventh player to score during a tournament in which his side never trailed.
Asked about his goal, Torres said after the game: “Honestly, I didn’t think too much. I just saw the ball coming to me, and I just shot with the power of all the Spanish people.”
The win made Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, at 65, the oldest coach ever to lead a team to the World Cup title
“We are world champions,” de la Fuente said. “It was together we reached this stage.”
There was some pushing and shoving after the final whistle, which was quickly cleaned up, and Spain commenced their celebration as most Argentina players sat on the turf in disbelief.
Cooler heads prevailed, and Spain’s players lined up minutes later to form an honour guard of sorts for Argentina’s squad to walk through on their way to the stage for the runner-up medals.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted that Spain were the better team.
“They were the better side – that’s the truth – but I’ll cherish the memory of them [his side], of what they achieved, and of the value of making it this far,” Scaloni said.
“We have to place immense value on this, because it takes so much effort.”
(Aljazeera)
HONOUR MCA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2026
Sampath Bank powered by a 53 ball 79 by Adithya Siriwardena and excellent bowling performance led by Chamath Dilsara, Dulaj Ashen and Hansaja Bandara registered their third win in the MCA Champions league cricket tournament sponsored by HONOUR mobile phones by crushing MAS Intimates by 131 runs at the Colts Cricket Club Ground on Saturday.
Batting first Sampath Bank powered by Adithya’a 79 and notable scores from Chamara Dilsara [34], HansajaBandara [42] and 20 plus scores from Gajitha Kotuwegoda ,Abhishek Anandakumara and Dumindu Sewmina posted 284/8 in their allocation of 50 overs after which the bowlers led by Chamath Dilsara restricted MAS Intimates to 153.
Scores:
Sampath Bank
284/8 in 50 overs (Hansaja Bandara 41, Adithya Siriwardena 79; Ruvin Senevirathne 2-41)
MAS Intimates
153/10 in 36.1 overs (Maheesha Sithum 39; Dulaj Ashen 2-13, Chamath Dilsara 3-21, Hansaja Bandara 2-15)
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