Match 14, Raipur, March 14, 2021, 07:00 PM
78/9(20.0ov)
81/4(7.3ov)
Sri Lanka Legends beat England Legends by 6 wickets
That ends a quick game! Sri Lanka Legends storm into the semi final, making sure that they top the table. They will meet either England Legends again, or West Indies Legends, depending on who wins the Eng-WI clash on Tuesday. But on Monday, 15th March, 2021, South Africa Legends meet Bangladesh Legends. The Proteas are almost through but they would want a win to certify. Who knows, a loss could see them getting knocked out! Join us at 7 pm local (1330 GMT) for all the action. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Victorious Sri Lanka Legends captain, Tillakaratne Dilshan, has been named as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Leading run getter and wicket taker of the tournament. Says that everything went to plan after a wicket on the very first ball. Praises all his bowlers for bowling well. On 7 wickets falling to spin in the first innings, Dilshan says that since England like pace on the ball, along with bounce, the Lankan management felt that taking pace off was the key. Is more happy with the execution of the plan, calling it a very good performance after a long time. Is also happy that they enter the semis with everyone on nick. Adds that the plan was to storm into the semis with an attacking display and that too, worked. On Sanath Jayasuriya's fitness for the semi final, Dilshan says that he is an important player for the side and hence, was rested for this game. On his own fitness, the skipper says that his strain seems to have aggravated but with three days to the semi final, he hopes that he is fit in time and repeat this performance in the semi final. Ends by saying that he shall try his best, even if he is 60 percent, he will give it his all.
England Legends skipper, Kevin Pietersen, admits that it was not good enough. Remembers one of those days in his career where there are games which are simply there to be forgotten. Praises his bowlers for trying to keep Tillakaratne Dilshan off strike. Wants to forget this match and plan and focus on their next match againt West Indies Legends on Tuesday, which is a virtual quarterfinal. Rues the first dismissal of the match, which was given LBW but there was an inside edge. However, does not want to make an issue of the same as he wants to take it with the rub of the green. Takes this as a bad day and park it aside.
... THE PRESENTATION ...
Dilshan, Dilshan and Dilshan. It was Tillakaratne Dilshan vs England Legends in this game. 4 wickets with the ball, a catch and then a hammering with the bat. His bowling kept England to 78 and his batting got his team to the top of the table. Only concern is - with every shot, he was clutching his hamstring. Sri Lanka Legends will hope that he is fit and performs in the match (es) that matter.
Kevin Pietersen would have expected this whiplash given what was at stake but he tried his best. Monty Panesar took 4 wickets for him and perhaps, KP should have gone with spin from both ends. But he chose pace and that's where his plan flopped. Pace went for 54 runs in 21 balls, while Panesar himself conceded just 26 in 4 overs. Sri Lanka Legends would have still won but perhaps, the win may have been delayed.
All over in the blink of an eye! Sri Lanka Legends needed to win in 7.4 overs to go on top of the table and not surprisingly, they went very hard at the bowling. Tillakaratne Dilshan took it upon himself to get his team to the top and scored 61 of the team's 81, really pummeling England Legends. Their net run rate has taken a big hit and a loss in their next game, to West Indies Legends, will send them packing home.
In over# 1
4
1
2
Chris Tremlett 21/0(1.3)
7.3
4
FOUR! SRI LANKA LEGENDS WIN BY 6 WICKETS AND 75 BALLS TO SPARE AND TOP THE POINTS TABLE! A length ball, around middle, Russel Arnold pulls it behind square leg and finds the fence.
7.2
1
Around middle, pushed down to long on for a single. 2 needed from 2 balls now, for topping the table.
7.1
2
Around middle, pretty full, whipped behind square leg for a couple. 3 more needed from 3 balls for topping the table.
In over# 1
0
1
4
4
0W
0W
Monty Panesar 26/4(4)
6.6
.
Full, outside off, Russel Arnold swings wildly but misses. Sensational figures for Monty Panesar - 4-0-26-4!
6.5
1
Full, outside off, Tillakaratne comes down the track and hammers it through the covers for a single.
6.4
4
EDGED, FOUR! Full, around middle, Dilshan looks to play the reverse sweep again but ges a top edge this time. It goes over the keeper, to the third man fence.
6.3
4
FOUR! Audacious shot on a hat-trick ball. Full, outside off, Tillakaratne Dilshan gets out the reverse sweep and gets it all the way over point! Nearly goes all the way as well.
Russel Arnold walks in at number 6, to face the hat-trick ball.
6.2
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Two in two for Panesar. Full, outside off, no pace, Chinthaka Jayasinghe looks to slog wildly but only gets a top edge. It is high in the air and Phil Mustard himself runs to his right and takes it just in front of point.
Who is in now? Chinthaka Jayasinghe it is.