Sports
Dhammika Ratnaweera
Jaffna opener Navod Paranavithnaha who scored an unbeaten 59 playing a stroke while Colombo wicket keeper Sithra Gimhan looks on. (Pic courtesy SLC)
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Jaffna led by Dhananjaya de Silva once again made a good team effort to enter the final of the National Super League 4 day cricket tournament when they beat Colombo by 9 wickets at the semi-final cricket fixture worked off at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International cricket stadium yesterday. Meanwhile Kandy recorded first innings win over Galle yesterday at Pallekele to compete with Jaffna in the final.
Jaffna required to get 92 runs winning target were 25 for no loss at close of third day. They played only 19 overs yesterday to reach their target with nine wickets in hand. The 19-year-old left hand opener Navod Paranavithana was leading the way to reach their winning target scoring an unbeaten 59 with 9 fours in 84 balls also added solid open stand of 73 runs with Nishan Madushka who scored 32 in 47 balls with 5 fours.
Earlier Colombo led by Dimuth Karunaratne scored 272 runs in their first innings while Jaffna were struggling 199 for 8 wickets at one stage but Saminda Fernando the number three batter made a fighting knock of 123 added remarkable 130 wicket stand with Nipun Malinga to get 67 runs first innings lead. Nipun Malinga the paceman made his career best first class knock of 80 with 6 fours and 6 sixes in 84 balls scoring a brisk knock which was a very good effort for Jaffna at that stage. Colombo were struggling with 158 all out in their second innings while Jaffna reached winning target comfortably.
Meanwhile Kandy recorded first inning s win over Galle to reach the final of the National super league cricket tournament after their rain hit semi-final fixture played at Pallekele International Stadium yesterday. Kandy scored a formidable total of 458 all out in their first innings with two centuries hit by skipper Kamindu Mendis and Oshada Fernando were leading their way. Galle led by Dinesh Chandimal started with good foundation from openers Pabasara Waduge (78) and Sangeeth Cooray (44) to add 98 runs stand while Hashan Dumindu (74) and Dhananjaya Lakshan (60) also made useful knocks but that was not enough to take first innings points for them.
Kandy bowlers fought back strongly to restrict Galle for 354 yesterday with 104 runs lead. Kandy paceman Asitha Fernando was the most successful bowler taking 4 for 69 with a good supporting role by young off spinner Ashian Daniel who finished with 3 for 86. Kandy in their second innings made 155 for 4 wickets at close with opener Kamil Mishara top scored 63 with 5 fours while Skipper Kamindu Mendis scored 42. The rain interrupted the first three days of this game while final sessions of all three days were lost due to rain.
The final between Kandy and Jaffna scheduled to be played on April 7 to 10 at Galle International cricket stadium while the same two teams met at the National super league limited over final at Pallekele which was won by Jaffna.
Chief scores
* At Hambantota: Jaffna beat Colombo by 9 wickets
Colombo: 272 and 158 all out
Jaffna: 339 all out Saminda Fernando 123, Nipun Malinga 80, Kavika Dilshan 6/124, Nalin Priyadarshana 2/68 and 95 for 1 wicket (target 92 runs ), Navod Paranavithana 59*, Nishan Madushka 32
* At Pallekele: (match drawn) Kandy recorded first innings win over Galle
Kandy: 458 and 155 for 4 wickets at close. Kamil Mishara 63, Kamindu Mendis 42, Lahiru Udara 32*, Akila Dhananjaya 2/67
Galle: 354 all out Sangeeth Cooray 44, Pabasara Waduge 78, Hashan Dumindu 74, Dhananjaya Lakshan 60, Suminda Lakshan 22, Kavishka Anjula 31, Asitha Fernando 4/69, Ashian Daniel 3/86.
Tuesday, April 5, 2022 – 01:00
