NSL 4-day tournament Test discards shine on opening day
Two top order batting Test discards Nishan Madushka and Oshada Fernando took the honours on the opening day of the 5th National Super League 4-day tournament both missing out on centuries for their respective teams yesterday.
Madushka opening the batting made a solid 97 off 197 balls (9 fours) to enable Dambulla end the day on 280-6 after choosing to bat first at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The platform was set for a big total when Madushka along with Thanuka Dabare (56 off 52 balls, 10 fours, 1 six) put on an opening partnership of 84 off 94 balls, with Dabare being the more aggressive of the two. At 170-2 Dambulla looked in control of the innings, but the run out of their skipper Dhananjaya de Silva for 13 saw them slide to 247-6 with Colombo gaining some control. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was in the forefront of wickets dismissing both the openers and Sahan Kosala for a duck to end the day with 3/89. Anjala Bandara struck it out with the tail to be unbeaten on 53 off 111 balls (4 fours). On him rests Dambulla’s chances of coming up with a challenging total.
Defending champions Galle CC who also chose to bat first at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium were in a comfortable position at 133-2 as long as Oshada Fernando was at the wicket contributing with 84 off 107 balls (8 fours, 1 six). But he was forced to retire hurt with cramps and this triggered a mini-collapse and Galle CC lost four wickets for 26 runs sliding to 158-6. Seamer Chamika Gunasekara cut through their middle order taking 3/17. Fernando returned to resume his innings at the fall of the sixth wicket but was out first ball without adding to his score to left-arm seamer Dulaj Samuditha who picked up his wicket as well as Dilum Sudeera’s off successive balls. Galle ended the day at 179-7 with rain midway during the Galle innings at 101-2 and bad light towards the end of the day cutting down the total number of overs bowled for the day to 54. Both matches continue on their second day today.
| Chamika Gunasekara struck three vital blows for Kandy | Nishan Madushka gave Dambulla a good start with a solid knock of 97 |
FIRST DAY SCORES
At R. Premadasa Stadium: Dambulla 280-6 at close (Nishan Madushka 97, Thanuka Dabare 56, Kavin Bandara 25, Anjala Bandara 53*, Prabath Jayasuriya 3/89) v Colombo
At Rangiri Dambulla Stadium: Galle 179-7 at close (Oshada Fernando 84, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 33, Dulaj Samuditha 3/45, Chamika Gunasekara 3/17) v Kandy
