COLOMBO: Ben McDermott’s explosive knock powered Colombo Kaps to a big total against Kandy Royals in the Eliminator of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 at the R Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.
Opting to bat first, Colombo Kaps finished their innings on 203-7 in 20 overs. Ben McDermott top-scored with 71 off 39. Notably, his innings included seven sixes and a single boundary.
James Neesham provided the innings with a late flourish, hitting an unbeaten 42 off 23 balls, striking six fours and a maximum.
Colombo Kaps had a shaky start as they lost three wickets for 58 inside powerplay.
McDermott held the innings together with a couple of half-century partnerships in the middle order to play a pivotal role in his team’s big total.
He first added 58 with Janith Liyanage for the fourth wicket, bringing the total to the 115-run mark. Liyanage made a 19-ball 32 with the help of three sixes and a four.
The Australian batter then added 58 with Neesham to take the total near the 200-run mark.
For Kandy Royals, Shaheen Afridi, Zahir Khan, and Nuwan Thushara picked up two wickets each.
Playing XIs
Kandy Royals XI: Lahiru Igalagamage, Pawan Sandesh, Kusal Perera (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Dale Phillips, Angelo Mathews (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Nuwan Thusara, Zahir Khan, Garuka Sanketh
Colombo Kaps XI: Rubin Hermann (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ben McDermott, Kamindu Mendis (c), Janith Liyanage, James Neesham, Wanuja Sahan, Malsha Tharupathi, Milan Rathnayaka, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Binura Fernando
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