Dambulla, Galle qualify for NSL 4-day final

Ravindu Fernando’s valiant century (131) for Jaffna could not stop Dambulla from winning

Lasith Croospulle ensured that Kandy didn’t lose to Galle outright with a splendid century

Dambulla and Galle qualified for the final of the National Super League 4-day tournament when they won their semi-final matches in contrasting styles yesterday.

Dambulla defeated Jaffna by 132 runs at the P. Sara Oval, while Galle were held to a draw by Kandy at the R. Premadasa Stadium, but by virtue of leading in the first innings won through to the final.

Jaffna set a tall task of chasing 464 for victory by Dambulla, were bowled out for 331 despite a fighting century from all-rounder Ravindu Fernando. Following an opening stand of 76 between Navod Paranavithana (51) and Ron Chandraguptha (47) Jaffna’s batting slumped to 126-6 before it was revived by Fernando who carried the total 313 before he was dismissed for a career best knock of 131 scored off 112 balls spliced with 11 fours and seven sixes. 

His innings took him past 1,000 runs in first-class cricket. Fernando received good support from Binura Fernando (32) who helped him in a stand of 59 and from Jeffrey Vandersay (35*) in a further partnership of 83. Jaffna’s batting was consumed by spinner Ashan Priyanjana and Chalana de Silva who shared six wickets. Earlier Dambulla continued from their overnight total of 254-6 declared at 274-9.

Once Galle had racked up a mammoth 658-9 declared in their first innings the writing was on the wall for defending champions Kandy who was always behind in the match throughout the four days. After dismissing Kandy for 227, and gaining a massive first innings lead of 431, Galle rubbed salt into the Kandy wounds by not enforcing the follow-on, but by batting a second time. 

They scored 212-6 before declaring, setting Kandy an insurmountable target of 645 for victory. Kandy did well to deprive Galle of a win by batting out the remaining overs to finish on 299-5. The highlight of the Kandy batting in the second innings was a splendid stroke-filled century by inform opener Lasith Croospulle. His knock of 101 off 102 balls was laced with 17 fours and one six. 

With opening partners Kasun Vidura (33), Croospulle put on 112 for the first wicket. Sandun Weerakkody another inform batter contributed a hard hit 73 off 83 balls (10 fours, 1 six). The final will take place at the Galle Cricket Stadium commencing 2 March. – (ST)

RESULTS:

• At P. Sara Oval: Dambulla beat Jaffna by 132 runs.

Dambulla 426 and 274-9 decl. (o/n 254-6) (Pavan Rathnayake 47, Sanoj Darshika 29, Ashan Priyanjan 31, Wanindu Hasaranga 95, Dushan Hemantha 21*, Binura Fernando 2/25, Shashika Dulshan 3/77, Jeffrey Vandersay 2/68)

Jaffna 236 and 331 (Navod Paranavithana 51, Ron Chandraguptha 47, Ravindu Fernando 131, Binura Fernando 32, Jeffrey Vandersay 35*, Ashan Priyanjan 3/61, Chalana de Silva 3/86)

• At R. Premadasa Stadium: Match Drawn. (Galle take first inns points)

Galle 658-9 decl. and 212-6 decl. (o/n 145-1) (Sangeeth Cooray 58, Lakshan Edirisinghe 77, Suminda Lakshan 26, Kavisha Anjula 20, Lasith Embuldeniya 2/67, Amshi de Silva 2/53)

Kandy 227 and 299-5 (Lasith Croospulle 101, Kasun Vidura 33, Sandun Weerakkody 73, Raveen Yasas 20*, Lahiru Udara 31*, Praveen Jayawickrama 3/98)