Oshada, Pasindu hit centuries for Galle against Dambulla

Oshada Fernando and Pasindu Sooriyabandara figured in a double century stand for Galle

National Super League 4-day tournament

Oshada Fernando and Pasindu Sooriyabandara hit a century apiece and shared a double century partnership to place Galle in a strong position at 346-3 by the end of the first day of their National Super League 4-day match against defending champions Dambulla played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Bottom of the table Galle who won the toss and batted first lost their first two wickets for 22 to 23-year-old right-arm pacie Chamindu Wijesinghe, before Fernando (127 off 151 balls, 18 fours) and Sooriyabandara (130* off 184 balls, 9 fours) added 206 for the third wicket to snatch back the initiative from Dambulla.

By the close Sooriyabandara had forged another useful stand of 118 with Lakshan Edirisinghe (75* off 84 balls, 11 fours).

Colombo who lost both their matches in the first innings struggled to put up a decent score against Kandy at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. By the close of the first day Colombo winning the toss and batting first ended on 296-6 with half-centuries from Nipun Dananjaya (56 off 87 balls, 5 fours) and Pathum Kumara (67* off 113 balls, 7 fours). Kumara and Lakshitha Manasinghe (46* off 99 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) have so far added 109 for the seventh wicket. Colombo’s acting captain Nuwanidu Fernando struck three fours and one six in his 46 scored off 95 balls. Both matches will continue on the second day today. – (ST)

Day one scores

At Hambantota: Galle 346-3 at close (Oshada Fernando 127, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 130*, Lakshan Edirisinghe 75*, Chamindu Wijesinghe 2/49) v Dambulla

At R Premadasa Stadium: Colombo 296-6 at close (Krishan Sanjula 31, Nipun Dananjaya 56, Nuwanidu Fernando 46, Himasha Liyanage 20, Pathum Kumara 67*, Lakshitha Manasinghe 46*, Sithum Dissanayake 2/61, Nimsara Atharagalla 2/54, Wanuja Sahan 2/76) v Kandy