Jeffrey Vandersay, the leg-spinner, took impressive figures of 6 for 86 as Colombo were all out for 386 in their first innings, while Jaffna reached 227 for 7 wickets at the close of the second day’s play in their NSL Four-Day Cricket fixture at Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
At one stage, Jaffna were struggling at 41 for 4 wickets, but skipper Janith Liyanage played a crucial knock of 51 in 105 balls, with 3 fours. Wicketkeeper Anjala Bandara also fought hard, remaining unbeaten on 84 from 214 balls, with 7 fours and a six. Despite their efforts, Jaffna still trail by 159 runs in the first innings. Colombo’s off-spinner, Nishan Peiris, was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 for 55.
Mendis’ 122 leads Galle to 602/9d
Meanwhile, Galle scored a massive total of 602 for 9 wickets declared in their first innings, while Kandy were 52 for 1 wicket at the close of the second day in their NSL Four-Day match at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota yesterday.
Galle’s overnight batter, Nipun Dhananjaya, who scored 135 on the first day, added just two more runs before being dismissed by Chamika Gunasekara. Deputy skipper Ramesh Mendis, who came in at number 7, played a superb knock of 122 in 199 balls with 10 fours. This marked his 11th first-class century. Dilum Sudeera provided excellent support, scoring an unbeaten 80 in 164 balls with 7 fours, marking his career-best first-class knock. Ramesh and Dilum added 139 runs for the 9th wicket to build their innings.
Kandy had a poor start in their first innings. Opener Pathum Nissanka hit a boundary off the first ball he faced but was dismissed off the next ball by Dilshan Madushanka. Lahiru Udara (36) and Kamil Mishara (10) remained unbeaten, adding 48 runs for the second wicket at the close of the day.
Chief scores
* At Galle International cricket stadium. Colombo 374/ 7 continued and 386 all out (Dushan Hementha 31, Murvin Abhinash 2/93, Jeffrey Vandersay 6/86). Jaffna 227 for 7 wickets at close (Shevon Daniel 13, Ravindu Rasantha 13, Janith Liyanage 51, Anjala Bandara 84*, ,Chamika Karunaratne 29, Jeffrey Vandersay 18, Nishan Pieris 3/55)
* At Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium Hambantota. Galle (resumed at 336 /4) and 602 for 9 wickets declared Nipun Dhananjaya 137, Dunith Wellalage 38, Ramesh Mendis 122, Nisala Tharaka 13, Dilum Sudeera 80*, Dilshan Madushanka 21*, Chamindu Wickrmasinghe 3/90, Ravindu Fernando 2/121 , Nuwanidu Fernando 2/59 Kandy 52 for 1 wicket at close (Lahiru Udara 36*, Kamil Mishara 10*).
