Uphill task for Galle after Dambulla gain 233-run lead

Ashen Bandara and Sohan de Livera held the Kandy batting together with an unbroken century stand 

5th National Super League 4-day tournament

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Defending champions Galle faced an uphill task of saving their National Super League 4-day match against last year’s runner-up Dambulla at the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium yesterday after conceding a huge first innings lead of 233 runs.

By stumps on the third day Galle had lost six wickets for 159, to trail by 74 runs with four second innings wickets in hand to avoid an innings defeat. A lot will depend on skipper Sadeera Samarawickrama who is unbeaten on 58 (96 balls, 6 fours) at the close and the late order, if Galle is to save this match going into the fourth and final day today. Samarawickrama was the only batsman who withstood the seam bowling of Vishwa Fernando and Kavindu Pathiratne to score an unbeaten 113 out of a total of 255 in the first innings. The damage to the Galle second innings was done by spinners Akila Dananjaya and Shakthi Udara who have so far taken four of the six wickets to fall with the other two going to Vishwa Fernando.

Dambulla, continuing their first innings from their overnight total of 361-5 went onto score 488 in reply to Galle’s first innings of 255. After Anjala Bandara was dismissed for 69 scored off 102 balls (6 fours), Kavindu Pathiratne and Lahiru Samarakoon frustrated the Galle bowlers further by scoring fifties apiece. Pathiratne followed his excellent bowling which took him past 50 wickets in first-class cricket by completing his maiden first-class fifty – 56 off 143 balls (4 fours, 1 six). All-rounder Samarakoon contributed 51 off 84 balls (5 fours). Both batsmen fell to off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha who also picked up the wicket of Vishwa Fernando to end with figures of 4/139.

A keen tussle for first innings points was in progress at the Rangiri Dambulla Cricket Stadium. In reply to Colombo’s first innings of 434-9 declared, Kandy ended the third day on 253-4 requiring a further 182 runs to top Colombo’s total with six first innings wickets in hand going into the final day today. The game is destined to end in a tame draw and first innings points are likely to determine the outcome of the match.

For the third consecutive day bad light ended play early and it could play a part in either side gaining the first innings lead. Starting the day at six without loss, Kandy slid to 117-4 despite an opening stand of 75 by Navod Paranavithana and Pawantha Weerasinghe each contributing 33. Kandy’s recovery has been led by Sohan de Livera and Ashen Bandara who have so far added 136 for the fifth wicket. On this pair rest Kandy’s hopes of getting close to or past Colombo’s massive total. De Livera is eight runs shy of his 8th first-class century having faced 137 balls and hit 7 fours and one six, while Bandara is unbeaten on 55 off 118 balls (4 fours).

DAY THREE SCORES

At R Premadasa Stadium: Galle 255 and 159-6 at close (Nipun Dananjaya 21, Niroshan Dickwella 34, Sadeera Samarawickrama 58*, Keshara Nuwantha 22*, Vishwa Fernando 2/29, Akila Dananjaya 2/57, Shakthi Udara 2/40)

Dambulla 488 (o/n 361-5) (Lasith Croospulle 133, Kavin Bandara 44, Dhananjaya de Silva 62, Vishad Randika 55, Anjala Bandara 69, Kavindu Pathiratne 56, Lahiru Samarakoon 51, Udith Madushan 2/82, Keshara Nuwantha 4/139, Duvindu Tillakaratne 3/87)

At Rangiri Dambulla Stadium: Colombo 434-9 decl.;

Kandy 253-4 at close (o/n 6-0) (Navod Paranavithana 33, Pawantha Weerasinghe 33, Sohan de Livera 92*, Ashen Bandara 55*, Chamod Battage 2/31)