LPL 2020: Match 4, GAL vs COL – Russell’s blitz as an opener, Colombo's record 5-over total and more stats

Colombo Kings cruise to the top of the table with their second successive victory in the LPL 2020, this time over the Galle Gladiators. The game was reduced to five overs a side after a long delay caused by the rain. But once the game began, it was all about Andre Russell show who smashed an unbeaten 65 from only 19 balls to power Colombo franchise to 96/1. After the powerplay, Russell was on 44 from just 11 balls with an eye on equalling the fastest T20 fifty off 12 balls. Gladiators got 35 runs across their first two overs but settled down with only 62/2 and succumbed to their second defeat in two nights.

Here are all the statistical highlights from the high-scoring GAL vs COL game which was cut short by the rain:

A record-breaking effort from Colombo:

19.2 – The run rate of 19.2 during Colombo Kings’ total of 96/1 is now the highest in any T20 innings that lasted at least 20 balls. The previous highest was 18.42 by SKN Patriots during the 2017 CPL game against Barbados Tridents. The Patriots posted 129/0 in their seven overs while chasing a target of 129.

96/1 – The total of 96/1 by Colombo Kings is now the highest total in a Twenty20 innings which was reduced to five overs. Previous highest was 80/2 by Titans against Warriors during the 2016 CSA T20 Challenge. Colombo Kings still had eight balls in their innings when they crossed the record held by Titans.

Russell’s blitz:

14 – Andre Russell’s 14-ball fifty during GAL vs COL is now the joint 6th fastest fifty in T20 cricket and also the joint 2nd fastest fifty in T20s by a West Indies player. The fastest is recorded by Chris Gayle from 12 deliveries during the 2016-17 BBL which is also the joint-fastest T20 fifty ever scored.

14 – Russell’s 14-ball fifty is also the joint-fastest fifty by any player in the T20 format on Sri Lankan soil. Upul Jayasena recorded a 14-ball fifty in the 2015 SLC T20 tournament for Sinhalese Sports Club against Badureliya Sports Club.

342.11 – Russell had a strike rate of 342.11 during his unbeaten 65-run knock which came in only 19 balls. Only one player in T20 history had a strike rate higher than Russell facing 19 or more balls in an innings – Suresh Raina’s 348.00 during his 25-ball 87 in the 2014 IPL.

Russell’s strike rate is also the 2nd highest during a 50+ knock on Sri Lankan soil in the T20 format. Upul Jayasena had a strike rate of 385.71 when he scored a 54* off 14 during the 2015 domestic T20 tournament for Sinhalese SC. Jayasena’s strike rate is also the highest in T20 history during any 50+ score.

Russell turns opener:

2 – The GAL vs COL was only the 2nd instance of Andre Russell opening the batting in his Twenty20 career. The other such occasion was during the 2016 PSL where he opened for Islamabad United against Karachi Kings. Russell scored 14 off 11 balls before getting hit wicket off Mohammad Amir. However, on Saturday, Russell ended up recording his career’s fastest T20 fifty.

Amir concedes plenty:

23 – Mohammad Amir ended up with an economy rate of 23 as he conceded 46 runs from only two overs he bowled on Saturday. His first over yielded 26 runs for the Colombo Kings while the second went for 20.

Only one player in T20s played on the Sri Lankan soil had a worse economy rate than Amir after bowling at least two overs – 26.0 by Inosha Gunawardene who gave away 52 runs in two overs during this year’s domestic T20 game for Police Sports Club.