Avishka, Nipun post first day centuries

Friday, 14 March 2025 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

4th National Super League 4-day tournament

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Avishka Fernando and Nipun Dananjaya struck contrasting centuries and ensured their respective teams maintained the required run rate of over 3.50 runs per over to gain the extra bonus point on the opening day of the 4th National Super League 4-day cricket tournament yesterday.

With Fernando maintaining a strike rate of 87.8, Colombo winning the toss and batting first raced to a first day total of 374-7 scoring at the rate of 4.17 runs per over in their match against Jaffna at the Galle Cricket Stadium.

The aggressive white ball batter playing in only his 37th first-class match in nine years struck 17 fours and 2 sixes in a 164-ball knock for 144 before getting run out. Fernando posted a first wicket stand of 75 with Navod Paranavithana (39) and a further 152 runs for the third wicket with Kavin Bandara who scored 77 off 121 balls (11 fours).

Opening bowlers Chamika Karunaratne and Isitha Wijesundara proved costly going at well over six runs an over until the spinners came on to put a brake to the scoring.

Skipper Charith Asalanka contributed 51 off 90 balls (3 fours, 1 six) before Sri Lankan leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay in a late spurt picked up the wickets of Asalanka, Kusal Mendis (3) and Lahiru Madushka (5) as Colombo suffered a minor collapse from 312-4. Vandersay ended the day as the most successful bowler with figures of 4/84.

Nipun Dananjaya, the southpaw from Marawila who plays for SSC like Aviskha Fernando was the star of the Galle innings after they had decided to bat on winning the toss against Kandy at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Hambantota. He anchored the innings batting throughout the day to remain unconquered on 135 scored off 261 balls with 12 fours.

Dananjaya and Test opener Oshada Fernando (57 off 82 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) gave Galle a solid platform by sharing a first wicket stand of 107 to help them end the day on 336-4 scoring at the rate of 3.81 runs an over.

Galle lost Dinesh Chandimal (31) and skipper Pasindu Sooriyabandara (6) cheaply but Sadeera Samarawickrama (78 off 111 balls, 7 fours) joined forces with Dhananjaya to post a stand of 143 for the fourth wicket to help them to their final total. Of the seven bowlers used by Kandy four were successful taking a wicket apiece.

Both matches continue on their second day today.

First day scores

nAt Galle: Colombo 374-7 at close (Navod Paranavithana 39, Avishka Fernando 144, Dhananjaya Lakshan 23, Kavin Bandara 77, Charith Asalanka 51, Dushan Hemantha 24*, Murvin Abinash 2/93, Jeffrey Vandersay 4/84) v Jaffna

nAt Hambantota: Galle 336-4 at close (Oshada Fernando 57, Nipun Dananjaya 135*, Dinesh Chandimal 31, Sadeera Samarawickrama 78, Dunith Wellalage 19*) v Kandy

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