National Super League 4-day tournament Arachchige, Dananjaya grab the limelight on second day

Nipun Dananjaya completes a maiden first-class 100 for Colombo against Dambulla

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sahan Arachchige and Nipun Dananjaya grabbed the limelight for Kandy and Colombo respectively on the second day of the National Super League 4-day tournament at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Arachchige hit a career best 162 and shared a sixth wicket partnership of 154 with Kasun Vidura (67) as Kandy piled up a massive 503-9 declared against Jaffna on the second day of their top of the table clash match played at Pallekele.

Arachchige, the former Ananda College left-hander who had two first-class centuries under his belt before yesterday’s performance hit 23 fours in his 257-ball innings. Ashian Daniel also chipped in with a useful 38 off 94 balls – his highest first-class score, helping Arachchige add 88 for the seventh wicket before the declaration. By the close brought forward by bad light Jaffna had made 13 without loss.

Spearheaded by Nipun Dananjaya’s maiden first-class century Colombo reached 381-5, a lead of 104 on the first innings by the close of the second day of their match against Dambulla played at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Dananjaya opening the batting struck 10 fours in his knock of 114 off 173 balls. There were contributions of 41 and 57 from captain Sammu Ashan and Roshen Silva respectively and an entertaining 85* from Ashen Bandara who has so far hit 10 fours in the 131 balls he has faced.

Both matches will be continued on the third day today.

DAY TWO SCORES 

+At Pallekele: Kandy 503-9 decl. (o/n 243-5) (Kamil Mishara 35, Oshada Fernando 50, Kamindu Mendis 24, Lahiru Udara 50, Sahan Arachchige 162, Kasun Vidura 67, Ashian Daniel 38, Avindu Theekshana 28*, Kasun Madushanka 2/78, Nipun Malinga 3/68, Santhush Gunathilaka 2/55)

Jaffna 13 for no loss at close.

+At R. Premadasa Stadium: Dambulla 277;

Colombo 381-5 at close (o/n 46-0) (Nipun Dananjaya 114, Krishan Sanjula 20, Sammu Ashan 41, Roshen Silva 57, Ashen Bandara 85*, Lahiru Madushanka 34*, Malinda Pushpakumara 2/89)