Kandy staring down the barrel against Galle

Vishad Randika (80) and Dhananjaya Lakshan (68) helped Galle gain a valuable first innings lead over Kandy

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Table toppers Galle had to thank former Isipathana College wicket-keeper/batsman Nishan Randika for enabling them to grab the vital first innings lead against Kandy on the second day of their National Super League 4-day match played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Hambantota 

yesterday.

Replying to Kandy’s first innings of 210, Galle who resumed at 53-3 lost an early wicket of Dinesh Chandimal for 10 to be 59-4. Randika joined Dhananjaya Lakshan in a stand of 82 for the fifth wicket. Lakshan, usually a carefree batsman, played a responsible innings of 68 off 122 balls (5 fours). Following Lakshan’s dismissal Galle lost a further three wickets for 47 runs to be 206-8, but Randika playing sensibly ensured that his team went past Kandy’s first innings score with a fighting knock of 80 off 168 balls (5 fours). Galle were eventually dismissed for 248, a lead of 38 with seamer Nimsara Atharagalla and spinner Wanuja Sahan picking up three wickets apiece. By stumps Kandy were in a bad way losing four wickets for 78 and holding onto an overall lead of 40 with six second innings wickets in hand.

At the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo had a tough task to overhaul Jaffna’s first innings total of 491. They have begun well wiping out 103 of the runs losing the wicket of Test opener Dimuth Karunaratne for 37. Colombo still trail by 

388 runs.

Jaffna’s overnight pair Ron Chandraguptha and Nipun Karunanayake didn’t last long as their partnership of 211 was broken in the third over of the morning when Karunanayake was dismissed for 119 scored off 184 balls (16 fours, 1 six). Chandraguptha followed six overs later when he edged a catch behind the wicket off Dasun Shanaka to be out for 128 scored off 267 balls (12 fours). But fifties from the bats of Sandun Weerakkody (58 off 57 balls, 6 fours, 2 sixes) and Santhush Gunathilake (50 off 93 balls, 3 fours) saw Jaffna get near the 500-run mark.

Both matches will continue on the third day today.