Nuwanidu, Shanaka help Colombo to their first win

• National Super League 4-day tournament

Dasun Shanaka of Colombo celebrates his 10th first-class hundred

Colombo’s Nuwanidu Fernando scored a career best 180 against Jaffna

Nuwanidu Fernando and Dasun Shanaka both scored their tenth first-class hundreds as they helped Colombo to their first win in the ongoing National Super League 4-day tournament.

In reply to Jaffna’s first innings score of 491, Colombo put on their best batting performance of the tournament to reach a staggering 592-8 declared, which gave them a win on the first innings in a game which ended in a draw.

Highlights of the Colombo batting was a career best knock of 180 by Nuwanidu Fernando, younger brother of Sri Lanka Test fast bowler Vishwa Fernando, and an adventurous 118 off 125 balls (13 fours, 2 sixes) from former Sri Lanka white ball skipper Dasun Shanaka.

24-year-old Fernando playing in his 49th first-class match hit 14 fours and 2 sixes in his 288-balls innings and Shanaka (32), renowned as a white ball cricketer completed his tenth century playing in his 69th first-class match.

In the remaining 47 overs left for the day Jaffna used up 32 of them to score 146-2 with Hasitha Boyagoda completing a 85-ball fifty (5 fours). On Saturday, table toppers Galle achieved a ten-wicket win over Kandy at Hambantota. - (ST)

Scores: Jaffna 491 and 146-2 (Nishan Madushka 44, Hasitha Boyagoda 50*, Ron Chandraguptha 40)

Colombo 592-8 decl (o/n 440-4) (Heshan Dhanushka 41, Dimuth Karunaratne 37, Nipun Dhananjaya 73, Nuwanidu Fernando 180, Ashen Bandara 44, Dasun Shanaka 118, Pathum Kumara 35, Nisala Tharaka 20, Santhush Gunathilake 2/66,