21/07Result
Final (N), Lanka Premier League at Colombo, Jul 21 2024
Jaffna won by 9 wkts (26b rem)
Player of the Match
Rilee Rossouw
Rilee RossouwJaffna Kings
21/07Result
Final (N), Lanka Premier League at Colombo, Jul 21 2024
Jaffna won by 9 wkts (26b rem)
Player of the Match
Rilee Rossouw
Rilee RossouwJaffna Kings

And finally Asalanka is able to get his hands on this trophy, which I kid you not is nearly Asalanka's size! He gets some support from Fabian as the pyrotechnics go off and the players celebrate. Jaffna are four-time champions, and with that our coverage is done. Fidel's report is up for those looking to relive the action, but on behalf of him and the rest of the team, this is Madushka signing off!

Charith Asalanka: "It's an amazing feeling as a first-time captain in the LPL to lift the trophy. It's all about professional, individual performance. I think I didn't have much to do with my players because they're all professionals. I think they looked after themselves, adjusted to the conditions, and that was it. [Rossouw and Mendis?] It was an amazing performance, I'm speechless with their batting because the first wicket was lost in the first ball. But after that Rilee and Kusal were outstanding. I also just want to thank the fans, all those who supported the Jaffna team throughout the season."

Niroshan Dickwella: "It was a great campaign throughout these 21 days, and really proud of my boys. Today after losing the toss I didn't mind batting first but we didn't read the wicket properly, and they bowled really well in the first powerplay. And then Bhanuka was unbelievable, he gave us a chance in this game. After that we started really well with the ball, but then it was disaster. [surface changed?] With the 45 minute break in between the innings there was dew as well today, so the wicket settled down really well. [Fond memories of the tournament?] I have plenty, in the field and out of the field we had a great time. I just want to thank the owners, support staff, SLC, IPG and everyone that helped make this tournament great."

Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament goes to Rilee Rossouw for his 106 off 53 today, and his 389 runs across the tournament at a strike rate of 173.66, including two centuries: "Not much to talk through, I just played one ball at a time. Credit also to Kusal for playing a superb knock, striking at 200 opening in a high pressure situation, coming through for us in the playoff and in this game. [Did tiff with Bhanuka spur you on?] 100%. People that know me don't abuse me, but I mean it's part of the game. It makes it interesting, entertaining. And hopefully that spurs the rest of the boys on. It just puts me more in the zone and I'm thankful that it came off today. Winning the tournament is what we came here to do and this team has been incredible from game one, and just happy to be this side of the winning formula."

The Emerging Player of the Tournament award goes to Chamindu Wickramasinghe of Dambulla Sixers

The Red Cap for the highest wicket-taker goes to Shadab Khan after he ends with 17 wickets in the tournament.

The Pink Cap for the highest run-scorer in the tournament goes to Tim Seifert with 400 runs across the tournament.

Dhananjaya de Silva gets the Catch of the Match award for his effort to dismiss Alex Hales

Alright, time for the post-match stuff

But the right players peaked for Jaffna at the business end of the season, especially Kusal Mendis who been a class apart over the last couple of games - a hallmark of a champion side. Stay with us we'll have the post-match presentation for you shortly.

In hindsight, considering the sort of wicket this turned out to be, the efforts of the Jaffna bowlers inside the first 10 overs might have proved the difference. Jason Behrendorff in particular was excellent in that period, and it also vindicated Jaffna's decision to chase in a high stakes game.

11.13pm In the end a fitting finish to a high quality season of cricket. Spare a thought for Bhanuka Rajapaksa though, whose 82 off 34 had revived Galle from the dead, only for Kusal Mendis and Rilee Rossouw to relegate that effort to but a mere footnote courtesy a partnership of epic proportions. Pathum Nissanka fell first ball, but that meant every run of this chase was hunted down by the pair of Rossouw and Mendis, as they put on an all-time stand to crush any dreams Galle may have harboured of a first-ever title.

15.4
1
Pretorius to Rossouw, 1 run, Jaffna are champions for a fourth time! Length ball, just eased behind point and that triggers the fireworks in the background, as the Jaffna players also rush the pair in the middle. Jaffna have chased this down by 9 wickets and 26 balls to spare!
15.4
1w
Pretorius to Rossouw, 1 wide, Full and wide, too wide. Scores are level

The Jaffna players are on their feet in the dug out.

15.3
1
Pretorius to Mendis, 1 run, length outside off, dabbed behind point
15.2
1
Pretorius to Rossouw, 1 run, Short and pulled hard, but straight to long-on

One shot away

15.1
4
Pretorius to Rossouw, FOUR, Bang! Full outside off and this is just creamed through the covers

Power Blast overs coming up

END OF OVER:
15 | 6 Runs | JK: 177/1 (8 runs required from 30 balls, RR: 11.80, RRR: 1.60)

  • Kusal Mendis71 (39b)
  • Rilee Rossouw100 (50b)
  • Kavindu Nadeeshan2-0-23-0
  • Maheesh Theekshana4-0-34-0
14.6
0
Nadeeshan to Mendis, no run, full on the stumps, defended on the front foot. That forward defence seemed almost mocking at this point
14.5
1
Nadeeshan to Rossouw, 1 run, drops it towards backward point and it's a century for Rilee Rossouw! Soaks in the applause and rightfully so. What a knock and what a time to deliver. Off just 50 deliveries too! Pulls out the rocket launcher celebration as well!

Alright Rossouw back on strike

14.4
1
Nadeeshan to Mendis, 1 run, full on the pads, worked towards square leg
14.3
0
Nadeeshan to Mendis, no run, tossed up outside off, driven straight to short extra cover
14.2
3
Nadeeshan to Rossouw, 3 runs, And is this it? Maybe not quite. This was a good length googly, that Rossouw gets forward to and purposefully edges fine past short third, who can't stop it cleanly. It's trickling over the ropes, but Udana seems to have put in an expert dive here to save the boundary. Rossouw moves to 99
14.1
1
Nadeeshan to Mendis, 1 run, good length on off, worked through midwicket

Rossouw now needs just 4 to become the first ever player to get two centuries in a single LPL season.

AM Giri: "I still believe South Africa would have won the T20 World Cup if he was playing…"

END OF OVER:
14 | 7 Runs | JK: 171/1 (14 runs required from 36 balls, RR: 12.21, RRR: 2.33)

  • Kusal Mendis69 (35b)
  • Rilee Rossouw96 (48b)
  • Maheesh Theekshana4-0-34-0
  • Janith Liyanage2-0-30-0
13.6
1
Theekshana to Mendis, 1 run, full on the stumps, nudged to long-on
13.5
0
Theekshana to Mendis, no run, full outside off, driven straight to extra cover. First dot ball in ages feels like!
13.4
1
Theekshana to Rossouw, 1 run, short of a length and wide, swatted down to long-off

Odinlass: "So, after the first delivery, nothing has gone Jaffna's way, eh?" --- Very astute.

13.3
1
Theekshana to Mendis, 1 run, length on off, goes back and works it to deep square leg
13.2
0
Theekshana to Mendis, no run, Dropped! Oh dear, oh dear. Length leg break and Kusal has offered up the softest of leading edges to Theekshana, who can't hold on
13.1
4
Theekshana to Mendis, FOUR, Lofted down the ground! Takes this from full on off, and sends it soaring a couple of bounces to the long-on boundary

END OF OVER:
13 | 21 Runs | JK: 164/1 (21 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 12.61, RRR: 3.00)

  • Rilee Rossouw95 (47b)
  • Kusal Mendis63 (30b)
  • Janith Liyanage2-0-30-0
  • Isuru Udana3-0-42-0

This is now the highest ever partnership in LPL history!

12.6
4
Liyanage to Rossouw, FOUR, Helped on its way! Goes full and straight but same result, as Rossouw just gets low and paddles this past short fine
12.5
4
Liyanage to Rossouw, FOUR, Dismissed! That was borderline disrespectful from Rossouw. Back of a length on off and he's just flat batted this straight of mid-off
12.4
6
Liyanage to Rossouw, SIX, Picked up and clears the ropes! This was a cutter on middle, and Rossouw just picks this up high into the night sky but he's got enough to clear the men at the deep square leg boundary
12.3
1
Liyanage to Mendis, 1 run, length outside off, backs away and carves this over point. Boundary rider gathers. 150 up!
12.2
1
Liyanage to Rossouw, 1 run, length on off, clears the front leg and swings this away to deep square leg
12.2
1w
Liyanage to Rossouw, 1 wide, Slower bouncer, but this one is too short
12.1
4
Liyanage to Rossouw, FOUR, Slapped over mid-off! Rossouw can do no wrong today! Back of a length outside off, stays in the crease and he just wallops this flat over mid-off

Kev: "Appears the top runscorer and wicket taker accolades will go to two overseas players for the first time in LPL history.."