Galle beat Jaffna; Kandy takes the honours against Dambulla

Kandy proved too strong for the bottom of the table Dambulla, who somehow managed a draw despite conceding first innings points in their National Super League four-day tournament match played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

In the other game concluded at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota, Galle led by all-rounder Dhananjaya Lakshan, completed a comprehensive seven wickets win over Jaffna.

Dambulla left with an improbable target of 509 to chase off 54 overs, finished on 213-4 with Nimesha Gunasinghe completing his second first-class century before the match ended.  The only redemption for Dambulla was their former Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara who bowled his heart out for match figures of 12 for 228 including 5/108 in the second innings, his 23-match bag of ten wickets in a first-class match.   

Jaffna trailing by 190 runs on the first innings could muster only 224 in their second innings leaving Galle with the simple task of chasing 35 for victory which they achieved losing three wickets. A combined bowling effort by seamer Dilshan Madushanka and spinners Chanaka Ruwansiri and Lakshan brought Galle the win. (ST)

Results:

At Pallekele: Match drawn (Kandy takes first inns points)

• Kandy 446 and 278-9 decl. (o/n 134-3) (Oshada Fernando 63, Kamindu Mendis 88, Lahiru Udara 42, Sahan Arachchige 20, Thikshila de Silva 34, Pushpakumara 5/108)
• Dambulla 216 and 213-4 (Nimesha Gunasinghe 102*, Leo Fransisco 48, Lasith Abeyratne 26, Sahan Arachchige 2/61)    

At Hambantota: Galle beat Jaffna by seven wickets

• affna 254 and 224 (o/n 43-0) (Nishan Madushka 45, Navod Paranavithana 36, Janith Liyanage 72, Santhush Gunathilaka 28, Dunith Wellalage 21, Dilshan Madushanka 3/49, Chanaka Ruwansiri 3/29, Suminda Lakshan 2/53)
• Galle 444-9 decl and 38-3 (Dunith Wellalage 2/17)