Saturday Apr 11, 2026
Saturday Apr 11, 2026
Wednesday, 8 April 2026 02:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Sa'adi Thawfeeq
Defending champions Galle and Kandy were in a close tussle for a first innings lead on the second day of their National Super League 4-day match at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium yesterday.
By the close in reply to Galle’s first innings score of 260, Kandy were 199-7 to trail by 61 runs with three wickets in hand.
Galle resuming at 179-7 reached a respectable score largely due to the batting of Ramesh Mendis who went onto score 70 off 116 balls (9 fours, 1 six) and was the last wicket to fall. Seamers Chamika Gunasekara (5/45) and Dulaj Samuditha (3/51) were the principal wicket-takers.
Several of Kandy’s batsmen made starts but none went on to convert them into a big score. Sammu Ashan made a top score of 52 off 89 balls (8 fours). Chamika Karunaratne was unbeaten on 34 and on his rests Kandy’s chances of gaining a first innings lead. Fast bowler Isitha Wijesundara bowled impressively for figures of 4/55.
Anjala Bandara became the third batsman to miss out on a century when he was dismissed for 95 in Dambulla’s first innings total of 408 against Colombo at the R Premadasa Stadium. Earlier Nishan Madushka was out for 97 and Oshada Fernando for 84.
Starting the day at 280-6, Bandara was instrumental in Dambulla putting up a challenging total featuring in a stand of 66 with Kavindu Pathiratne (49 off 113 balls, 5 fours, 1 six).
Colombo made a bold reply ending the day at 153-2 to trail by 255 runs. Openers Ravindu Rasantha (69 off 130 balls, 9 fours) and Tharindu Amarasinghe (52 off 62 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) hit half-centuries apiece in a partnership of 101. Both fell to the left-arm spin of Shakthi Udara. The matches will continue on its third day today.
SECOND DAY SCORES
At Rangiri Dambulla Stadium: Galle 260 (o/n 179-7) (Oshada Fernando 84, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 33, Ramesh Mendis 70, Isitha Wijesundara 27, Dulaj Samuditha 3/51, Chamika Gunasekara 5/45, Jeffrey Vandersay 2/39)
Kandy 199-7 at close (Sammu Ashan 52, Ashen Bandara 28, Sohan de Livera 20, Chamika Karunaratne 34*, Isitha Wijesundara 4/55, Asanka Manoj 2/47)
At R Premadasa Stadium: Dambulla 408 (o/n 280-6) (Nishan Madushka 97, Thanuka Dabare 56, Kavin Bandara 25, Anjala Bandara 95, Kavindu Pathiratne 49, Akila Dananjaya 26*, Chamod Battage 2/57, Prabath Jayasuriya 3/110, Janith Liyanage 2/28)
Colombo 153-2 at close (Ravindu Rasantha 69, Tharindu Amarasinghe 52, Shakthi Udara 2/29)
