Little fireworks from Fletcher, Allen as both taste defeat

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (CMC):

Neither Andre Fletcher nor Fabian Allen had much of an impact as their respective sides suffered defeats in the Lanka Premier League here yesterday.

The 36-year-old Fletcher made 24 as Kandy Falcons crashed to a 51-run defeat after failing to chase down 199 against Colombo Strikers at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

In the first match at the same venue, the 29-year-old Allen suffered the embarrassment of a first-ball 'duck', while picking up two wickets as his Jaffna Kings tasted a five-wicket defeat off the last ball to Galle Marvels.

Fletcher, who was also dismissed for a first-ball 'duck' in Monday's opening win against Dambulla Sixers, made a bright start with four fours and a six in a 12-ball cameo, as he inspired a 37-run opening stand with Dinesh Chandimal (38).

He was finding his stride when he charged leg-spinner Dunith Wellalage (4-20) and was stumped in the fifth over.

Two partnerships kept Falcons in the hunt, Chandimal posting 33 for the third wicket with Kamindu Mendis (7) and captain Wanindu Hasaranga (25) putting on a further 60 for the fifth wicket with veteran Angelo Mathews (25), before the chase fell apart.

Sent in earlier, Strikers gathered 198 for seven from their 20 overs, Sadeera Samarawickrama top-scoring with 48 from 26 deliveries.

Allen was a non-factor with the bat as Kings rattled up 177 for seven off their 20 overs, Avishka Fernando (59) and opener Pathum Nissanka (51) scoring half-centuries in an 81-run, second wicket stand.

Allen returned with his left-arm spin to grab two for 33 from four overs but opener Alex Hales carved out 65 off 47 deliveries, to lead Marvels over the line.