Alex Hales scored a swashbuckling half-century and muscled Galle Marvels to thump Kandy Falcons in the 14th match of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 here at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. Chasing a daunting 188-run target, the Marvels knocked the winning runs on the second delivery of the final over when Bhanuka Rajapaksa smashed Ramesh Mendis for a boundary to lead his side to an eight-wicket victory. Opening batter Hales was the hero for the Marvels as he came out all guns blazing and set the platform with belligerent hitting. He smashed seven fours and four sixes on his way to an unbeaten 86 off 55 deliveries and carried his bat all the way through. Alex Hales was briefly supported by skipper Niroshan Dickwella (25) and Tim Seifert (16) amid his match-winning knock. Rajapaksa extended notable support with his brisk 46. His 26-ball knock featured five boundaries and two sixes. For the Falcons, Andre Fletcher and Wanindu Hasaranga could pick up a wicket each.

Earlier after being put into bat first, the Falcons registered 187/9 on the board, courtesy of Fletcher’s gutsy half-century. Fletcher, alongside in-form Dinesh Chandimal, gave the Falcons a solid start with a quickfire 54-run partnership but the latter’s dismissal in the fifth over dented the momentum. Chandimal looked in sublime touch amid his blistering cameo of 32. He conceded only 14 balls and hit five boundaries including three sixes. Fletcher fought hard for the Falcons with a valiant 69 off 43 balls, laced up with 10 boundaries including four sixes. He was briefly supported by Angelo Mathews (29) while Ramesh Mendis (28) bolstered the Falcons’ total after his dismissal. Prabath Jayasuriya was the pick of the bowlers for the Marvels with 3/30 in his four overs, followed by Dwaine Pretorius, who claimed two wickets. The eight-wicket victory solidified Galle Marvels’ grip at the second spot in the LPL 2024 standings with eight points in six matches while Kandy Falcons sank to the bottom with four points in as many matches.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan