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Nuwan Pradeep bowls during his career best performance of seven wickets for 52 for Colombo against Jaffna at Dambulla yesterday
National Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne led Colombo to an eight-win over Galle with his 44th first-class century
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
National Test and Colombo skipper Dimuth Karunaratne hit a skilful century to guide his team to victory over Galle and to the top of the National Super League four-day standings in their match concluded at Galle yesterday. In the crucial second game played at Dambulla, Jaffna dismissed Dambulla for 283 and ended the day on 45 without loss.
Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep produced his best performance in any format of cricket when he returned career best figures of seven for 52 to dismiss Dambulla for 283 on the second day of their match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.
Dambulla, resuming at a promising 159-2 were soon reduced to 169-7 with Pradeep claiming all seven wickets to fall. Only some late resistance from Chamindu Wijesinghe (35) and Dushan Hemantha (63* off 132 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) saw them end up with a decent total of 283.
In 91 previous first-class matches, Pradeep’s best return in an innings was 6 for 132 and yesterday’s magnificent spell was his sixth five-for in a career where his bowling skills have been used mostly for the white ball format.
Jaffna in reply were 45 without loss and trail Dambulla by 238 runs with all 10 wickets in hand to take the vital first innings lead.
Both teams are vying for the fourth and last semi-final place with the winner being assured of going through.
On a Galle pitch where 30 of the 32 wickets that fell to bowlers were taken by the spinners, Sri Lanka Test and Colombo captain Dimuth Karunaratne stroked a masterful unbeaten century to steer his team to an eight-wicket win inside two days over Galle.
Colombo put up a poor display of batting in the first innings to be dismissed for 152 in reply to Galle’s 267. But they hit back hard in the second innings to bowl out Galle for 103 and set themselves a target of 219 to chase off 55 overs. Karunaratne led the run chase from the front carving out a brilliant hundred – 125* off 143 balls (15 fours, 1 six) – his 44th in first-class cricket to see his team home.
After Kusal Mendis left early with his score on two, Nipun Dananjaya (35) and Roshen Silva (55* off 78 balls, 7 fours) partnered Karunaratne in century partnerships to reach the target with 4.2 overs to spare. Colombo’s left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya had a splendid match finishing with figures of 11 wickets for 152, his fourth match bag of ten wickets or more in first-class cricket.
The win saw Colombo go to the top of the league standings with 56.51 points followed by Kandy 42.24 and Galle 36.54.
Day two scores
At Dambulla
At Galle: Colombo beat Galle by eight wickets
