Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Thursday Dec 26, 2024
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By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Fast-improving Galle inflicted on table leaders Dambulla their first defeat in six matches of the ongoing National Super League 50-over tournament when they won by five wickets their match played at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday. In the other game, defending champions Jaffna kept pace with Dambulla by defeating Kandy by seven wickets at the SSC grounds.
Yesterday’s matches saw the return of Sri Lanka Test players from New Zealand representing their individual teams, thus adding some colour to the tournament which has been hit by the absence of Sri Lanka’s white ball cricketers who are away in New Zealand.
Niroshan Dickwella and Oshada Fernando returned for Kandy, Kamindu Mendis for Dambulla, Captain Ramesh Mendis and Milan Ratnayake for Galle, and Nishan Madushka for Jaffna. Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera also played his first competitive match after undergoing an ankle surgery for Kandy. He has not played any cricket since October.
Fast bowler Milan Ratnayake made an immediate impression on the tournament on his return by capturing four wickets for 41 runs to restrict Dambulla to a moderate total of 200. Ramesh Mendis was also among the wickets taking two along with co-spinner Akila Dananjaya who had three. Only Sonal Dinusha batted with any purpose scoring 62 off 116 balls (4 fours).
Galle’s run chase in pursuit of 201 was mounted by wicket-keeper/batsman Sohan de Livera who slammed a quickfire 76 off 71 balls (9 fours, 1 six) and shared an opening stand of 63 with Vishan Randika (34). Pasindu Sooriyabandara contributed 41 off 49 balls as Galle swept past the required target with 97 balls to spare.
Jaffna came up with a powerful batting performance to outplay Kandy. Openers Navod Paranavithana and Nishan Madushka made short work of the target of 250 by posting 126 off 94 balls for the first wicket with both batsmen getting fifties. Paranavithana was in sparkling form racing to 82 off 68 balls (13 fours) and was aided by Madushka who made 52 off 46 balls (6 fours, 1 six). The momentum was continued by Kasun Abeyratne and skipper Janith Liyanage who also crossed the fifty-mark in a partnership of 87. Abeyratne was unbeaten on 54 scored off 69 balls (4 fours), and Liyanage, a run-a-ball 53 (1 four, 3 sixes). Chameera’s six overs cost 40 runs without a wicket.
Sandun Weerakkody (62 off 72 balls, 6 fours, 2 sixes) and Asel Sigera (50 off 61 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) were Kandy’s principal scorers in their total of 249. Fast bowler Shiran Fernando was the pick of the Jaffna bowlers with four wickets.
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