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Left-arm spinner Kavika Dilshan of Colombo exults after taking a wicket against Jaffna
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
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Kusal Mendis of Colombo celebrates his century against Jaffna on the second day
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Centuries from Oshada Fernando and skipper Kamindu Mendis have put Kandy on a firm footing against Galle in the National Super League semi-final match continued at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Continuing from their overnight total of 192-2 Kandy carried their total to an imposing 447-8 by the end of the second day. Kandy’s total was largely based on the third wicket double century partnership between Fernando and Mendis. Fernando struck 10 fours and two sixes in his 238-ball innings for 127, and Mendis hit nine fours and one six in his knock of 108 off 150 balls. It was Mendis’ fourth century of the tournament and Fernando’s third.
Following their dismissals, Lahiru Udara (76*) and Niroshan Dickwella (38) added a further 72 to take them closer to the 400-run mark.
An unbeaten century from Sri Lanka batsman Kusal Mendis has placed Colombo in a strong position to grab first innings points from Jaffna in the second semi-final match being continued at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota.
Colombo carried their overnight total of 224-6 to 272 with Kusal Mendis making a top score of 114* off 241 balls (10 fours) and national cap and team mate Dhananjaya de Silva going onto get a five-for finishing with figures of 5 for 48.
When it came to Jaffna’s turn to bat they ran into trouble against the left-arm spin of Kavika Dilshan (4/85) and the off-breaks of Nalin Priyadarshana (2/28) who reduced them to 204-8 by stumps on the second day.
Jaffna trail Colombo by 68 runs with only two first innings wickets in hand. Jaffna’s only hope of gaining a vital first innings lead rests on the shoulders of Saminda Fernando who has so far held the innings together with a defiant knock of 76* off 177 balls (3 fours). He has two tailenders to assist him Nuwan Pradeep who has a first-class score of 37* and Kasun Madushanka whose highest score is 78.
Both matches will be continued on the third day today.
Second day scores
At Hambantota: Colombo 272 (o/n 224-6) (Krishan Sanjula 39, Dimuth Karunaratne 39, Kusal Mendis 114*, Madawa Warnapura 42, Dilum Sudeera 2/92, Dhananjaya de Silva 5/48, Jeffrey Vandersay 2/59); Jaffna 204-8 at close (Navod Paranavithana 42, Nishan Madushka 24, Saminda Fernando 76*, Sadeera Samarawickrama 32, Kavika Dilshan 4/85, Nalin Priyadarshana 2/28)
At Pallekele: Kandy 447-8 at close (o/n 192-2) (Kasun Vidura 45, Oshada Fernando 127, Kamindu Mendis 108, Lahiru Udara 76*, Niroshan Dickwella 38, Dilshan Madushanka 2/77, Akila Dananjaya 2/85, Dhananjaya Lakshan 2/57) v Galle
Kandy skipper Kamindu Mendis completed his fourth century of the tournament against Galle
Oshada Fernando rejoices scoring his third hundred for Kandy
