Galle, Kandy grab first innings points

Galle and Kandy grabbed the vital first innings lead in their respective matches of the National Super League 4-day tournament yesterday.

In reply to their total of 265-9 declared, Galle dismissed Jaffna for 185 and by stumps on the second day at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota, had extended their overall lead to 131 runs by scoring 51 without loss in their second innings. Jaffna’s batsmen were troubled by fast bowler Milan Ratnayake (3/43) who was in the Sri Lanka Test squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan and left-arm spinner Nimesh Vimukthi (4/41). From a promising 88-1 Jaffna’s batting crumbled losing nine wickets for 97. Top scorer for Jaffna was Test opener Nishan Madushka with 49. 

Defending champions Dambulla suffered another setback when Kandy surpassed their total of 311 by scoring 369-9 by the close at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. A 158-run fifth wicket stand between Sithara Gimhan (94 off 107 balls, 8 fours, 4 sixes) and Acting Captain Ahan Wickramasinghe (75 off 82 balls, 7 fours) and a competent half-century (60 off 117 balls, 6 fours) saw Kandy gain the vital first innings lead. Both matches will continue on their third day today. – (ST)

Day two scores

+At Hambantota: Galle 265-9 decl. and 51-0 at close (Sangeeth Cooray 28*, Oshada Fernando 21*)

Jaffna 185 (Nishan Madushka 49, Ron Chandraguptha 34, Nipun Karunanayake 39, Milan Ratnayake 3/43, Nishan Peiris 2/22, Nimesh Vimukthi 4/41)

+At Dambulla: 311; Kandy 369-9 at close (o/n 14-0) (Kasun Vidura 34, Pawantha Weerasinghe 60, Sahan Kosala 29, Sithara Gimhan 94, Ahan Wickramasinghe 75, Wanuja Sahan 29*, Murvin Abinash 2/77, Dushan Hemantha 2/53, Kamindu Mendis 2/35)