Kosala, Gimhan miss out on hundreds as Kandy progress to 279/8

Kandy opener Sahan Kosala batting during 

his innings of 84 against Galle 

Kandy’s Sithara Gimhan pulls to leg on his 

way to making a top score of 90

National Super League 4-day tournament final

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sahan Kosala and Sithara Gimhan missed scoring centuries on the first day of the National Super League 4-day final played at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium that saw Kandy finish on 279-8 at the close against Galle yesterday.

Kandy survived the first session losing only two wickets whilst scoring 109 runs with the major contribution coming from opener Kosala who batted throughout the morning to be unbeaten on 55 having reached his half-century in style with a six off Praveen Jayawickrama off 65 balls. Galle missed at least four possible chances in the session, otherwise it would have been a different story, and they would have felt justified with their decision to invite Kandy to bat first.

Having hit seamer Thilanga Udeshana for a six off the previous ball, Kosala with a hundred in sight departed rather sadly attempting to pull the bowler for another boundary but eventually ended up giving a catch behind the wicket with his score on 84 off 114 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes). His dismissal ended a third wicket stand of 111 with Gimhan.

Galle pulled back in the afternoon session to capture three Kandy wickets for 80 runs to have half the side out for 189 by tea. Gimhan held the innings together reaching his fifty off 107 balls (5 fours) to be 51* at the break.

But in the final session Galle managed to pick up three more wickets including that of Gimhan for a composed knock of 90 off 184 balls (7 fours), Udeshana being the bowler to deprive the two batsmen of their centuries.

Considering that Galle has a strong batting line-up, Kandy will look to their two not out batters Ashian Daniel (29*) and acting captain Lasith Embuldeniya (10*) to get them close to the 350-run mark when play resumes on the second day today.

Scores: 

Kandy 279-8 at close (Pawantha Weerasinghe 27, Sahan Kosala 84, Sithara Gimhan 90, Ashian Daniel 29*, Tilanga Udeshana 2/56, Asanka Manoj 3/28, Ramesh Mendis 2/47) v Galle