Wednesday Apr 22, 2026
Wednesday Apr 22, 2026
Tuesday, 21 April 2026 01:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Lasith Croospulle celebrates his century for Dambulla
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Opener Lasith Croospulle’s 12th first-class hundred ensured Dambulla gained the vital first innings lead over defending champs Galle at the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium yesterday.
By stumps on the second day in reply to Galle’s modest first innings total of 255, Dambulla had replied with 361-5 to lead by 106 runs with five first innings wickets in hand.
Croospulle’s knock of 133 off 173 balls (12 fours, 1 six) was the mainstay of the Dambulla innings. He was partnered in stands of 91 by Kavin Bandara (44) and 117 by skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (62 off 91 balls, 8 fours).
Dambulla went past Galle’s total in the 57th over with Croospulle in sublime touch racing to a century off 128 balls (9 fours, 1 six). Vishad Randika (55 off 103 balls, 5 fours) and Anjala Bandara (51* off 80 balls, 4 fours) then struck fifties apiece to carry Dambulla beyond the 350-run mark and into a strong position to gain a substantial first innings lead. By dismissing Galle for under 400 runs in the first innings Dambulla has already gained a bonus point and if they top 400 they will get another bonus point, which will put them on a good footing.
At the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium, former Sri Lanka Under19 cricketer and Benedictine captain Sharujan Shanmuganathan hit a career best 145 – his fourth century in 15 first-class matches to steer Colombo to a massive first innings total of 434-9 declared against Kandy. Sharujan lost his overnight partner Janith Liyanage early, adding only four to his overnight score of 130, thus ending a fifth wicket partnership of 232.
However, Sharujan found another able associate in Kavija Gamage, the former Kingswood College, Kandy and Sri Lanka Under-19 all-rounder who was making his first-class debut. Gamage made it a memorable occasion for him scoring a stroke-filled 80 off 121 balls (14 fours) and helping Sharujan add a further 131 runs for the sixth wicket. Overall, Colombo’s run scoring was pretty slow, barely three an over with Sharujan spending 338 balls over 145 (10 fours, 1 six). Dinura Kalupahana, the former Sri Lanka Under-19 captain was the pick of the eight bowlers used by Kandy, finishing with 4/58 bowling right-arm medium. By stumps brought forward again by bad light Kandy had replied with six without loss. Both matches continue on their third day today.
Day two scores
+At R. Premadasa Stadium: Galle 255; Dambulla 361-5 at close (o/n 36-1) (Lasith Croospulle 133, Kavin Bandara 44, Dhananjaya de Silva 62, Vishad Randika 55, Anjala Bandara 51*, Udith Madushan 2/76)
+At Rangiri Dambulla Stadium: Colombo 434-9 decl (o/n 250-4) (Janith Liyanage 134, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 145, Kavija Gamage 80, Prabath Jayasuriya 25, Dinura Kalupahana 4/58, Chamika Gunasekara 2/53), Kandy 6-0 at close
Kavija Gamage scored 80 for Colombo in his first-class debut
Dambulla skipper Dhananjaya de Silva helped Lasith Croospulle add 117 for the 3rd wicket
Sharujan Shanmuganathan brings up his century for Colombo in the company of debutant Kavija Gamage
