Test players hit early form ahead of NZ tour

• Oshada Fernando scores double century for defending champs Kandy
• National Super League 4-day tournament

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka Test cricketers Angelo Mathews, Oshada Fernando and Ramesh Mendis hit early form on day two of the ongoing National Super League four-day tournament which is being used as a guideline for selection for the two-Test series in New Zealand in March.

Mathews spent some time in the middle using up 144 balls in compiling a score of 82 with eight fours for Galle who in reply to Dambulla’s 155, made 339 to take a useful first innings lead of 194 at the SSC grounds.

Following Mathews’ dismissal at 186-6, Galle captain Ramesh Mendis took over the reins striking nine fours in scoring a forceful 60 off 77 balls and putting together a useful seventh wicket stand of 109 with Kavishka Anjula who went onto score a robust 69 off 80 balls studded with 10 fours. 

Both fell within four runs of each other, but spinner Praveen Jayawickrama, another Test cricketer, poured more frustration on the Colombo bowlers scoring a pleasing 29 off 33 balls (6 fours), one short of equalling his career best score. Sri Lanka pace bowlers Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando were the pick of the Dambulla bowlers sharing six wickets between them.

Dambulla in their second innings were 47-2, and trail Galle by 137 runs with eight second innings wickets in hand.

Sri Lanka Test opener Oshada Fernando was in prime form as he went onto complete his 18th first-class hundred and with it, partner former Sri Lanka white ball cricketer Sandun Weerakkody in a third wicket stand of 248 to put Kandy firmly in control of their match against Colombo at the R. Premadasa Stadium. 

Fernando, batting with great assurance, went onto score a compulsive 201 off 287 balls (23 fours, 1 six), his second double century of his career. Weerakkody, hit a lively 144 off 154 balls (18 fours, 4 sixes) and dominated the partnership.

Angelo Mathews gets runs on the off side for Galle during his knock of 82

Galle skipper Ramesh Mendis during his innings of 60

Fernando anchoring the innings from one end built up further useful partnerships of 60 for the sixth wicket with acting skipper Sahan Arachchige (32) and 136 for the sixth wicket with 21-year-old former Royal cricketer Ahan Wickramasinghe who was one shy of reaching his second first-class hundred (99* off 85 balls, 13 fours, 3 sixes) at the close. Sri Lanka Test left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya had a rather ordinary day, his solitary wicket costing him 169 runs off 29 overs.

Kandy the defending champions ended the day strongly placed at 554-7 in reply to Colombo’s first innings of 214, scoring at a rapid rate of 5.28 an over, which has placed them in a position to force a win with two days of the match remaining and already enjoying a massive first innings lead of 340.

The two matches will continue on their third day today.

Second day scores

At SSC: Colombo 214 – Kandy 554-7 at close (o/n 96-2) (Lasith Croospulle 29, Oshada Fernando 201, Sandun Weerakkody 144, Sahan Arachchige 32, Ahan Wickramasinghe 99*, Nisala Tharaka 3/106)

At R. Premadasa Stadium: Dambulla 155 and 47-2 at close (Nimesh Gunasinghe 29); Galle 339 (o/n 90-3) (Hashan Dumindu 37, Angelo Mathews 82, Ramesh Mendis 60, Kavishka Anjula 69, Praveen Jayawickrama 29, Asitha Fernando 3/70, Vishwa Fernando 3/75, Chalana de Silva 2/69)