Galle Marvels vs Jaffna Kings Final Match Commentary: Lanka Premier League, 2024

11.57pm  Victorious Jaffna Kings' captain, CHARITH ASALANKA, comes up for a final chat. He says that he cannot express his feelings as it is his first trophy. On the players lifting themselves ahead of the final, Asalanka says that he did not have to do anything, as his experienced players know how to treat every game. Is happy that his or Avishka Fernando's services were not required much, yet they managed to dominate. In Sinhalese, he thanks the Jaffna fans.

11.54pm  Now, it is time for Jaffna Kings' players to receive their medallions. Like a true champion team, they were consistent throughout with the only blip being that loss in Qualifier 1, which have put some doubts in some of the minds, but those would have been of their detractors. Cometh the final, they showed who was the boss. They continue to dominate the Lanka Premier League, winning 4 titles in 5 seasons. Every time they have made it to the final, they have won, beating Galle thrice.

11.52pm  Galle Marvels' skipper, NIROSHAN DICKWELLA, braves a smile, as he comes up for a chat. Calls it a great campaign for his side. Says that he genuinely did not mind batting first but believes that the batters did not read the pitch well. Praises Bhanuka Rajapaksa for giving them a chance to bowl at something. Admits that the pitch definitely changed in the second innings and because of the 45-minute break across innings, it allowed dew to spread all over during the chase, which made bowling all the more difficult. Thanks the management for its support and also the crowd for continually being behind his team.

11.51pm  Time for the runner-up team now. The GALLE MARVELS players step up to receive their medallions. They finished second, but they were excellent throughout the tournament. One bad night does not make them a bad team.

11.48pm  RILEE ROSSOUW HAS BEEN NAMED AS THE PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT. This time there is an interview. Calmy brushes the knock aside and puts it down to playing one ball at a time and credits Kusal Mendis as well, for playing a sensational knock. Honestly admits that the Bhanuka Rajapaksa incident spurred him on, detailing that people who know him, know better than to sledge him. Is happy with the win and details that Jaffna came into this tournament with the intention of winning it and that's what they have done. On being informed that he became the first player to score two centuries in a season and also the first in a final, Rossouw calmly says that records are meant to be broken, so will check who will break his record in the next season.

11.48pm  Dambulla Sixers' CHAMINDU WICKRAMASINGHE is awarded the EMERGING PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT, FOR SCORING 186 runs and taking 7 wickets.

11.47pm  Colombo Strikers' SHADAB KHAN is presented with the 'Red Cap' - an award for the bowler with most wickets in the tournament - 17 @12.2, at an economy of 6.5, along with 3 four-wicket hauls.

11.46pm  Galle Marvels' TIM SEIFERT is presented with the 'Pink Cap', an award for being the highest run scorer of the tournament - 400 runs @57.1, at a strike rate of 135.1, with 2 50s and a century.

11.42pm  Now, time for the medallions for the match referees and the umpires. Don't forget, in this age of reviews and technology, they keep doing a fantastic job.

11.39pm  RILEE ROSSOUW HAS BEEN NAMED THE PLAYER OF THE FINAL for his fantastic unbeaten 106. Apparently, no interview. Okay, just to mention - Rossouw became the first player to score twin hundreds in an LPL season and also the first to score a century in an LPL final.

11.39pm  ... THE PRESENTATION ...

11.38pm  That was NOT the presentation. The stage is getting set. It is about to get underway now. Please stay tuned. Meanwhile, in Nottingham, England have completed a rout of the West Indies, crushing them by 241 runs. The tourists were 61/0 at one stage, but then got bundled out for 143. Off spinner Shoaib Bashir, who was impressive in India, picked up a 5-fer, taking 7 overall in the match. England have closed the second Test in 4 days and secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match Test series, moving to 6th spot in the World Test Championship standings.

11.36pm  Tabraiz Shamsi's turn to speak now. On Rossouw's knock, Shamsi says that he is not surprised, detailing that he is called the 'ROCKET' back home. Admits that they were forced to chase a lot more than they should have, but was confident about his batting unit. On Rossouw getting flared up, Tabraiz says that you should never sledge or abuse Rossouw, else it will be at your own peril.

11.35pm  More interviews. It's the pair of Jason Behrendorff and Tabraiz Shamsi. Behrendorff says that he was trying to swing the ball in earlier games as well but it did not quite work for him. Is happy that it did in the final. Smiles that he and Shamsi have been sharing that final overseas spot but is happy that the team combination worked well. Is happy to be part of Jaffna's victorious campaign and thanks the crowd for its support, hoping to be back again next season.