Kandy led by Kamindu Mendis emerged the inaugural National Super League (NSL) 4 day cricket champions when they beat Jaffna on first innings at the final played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
The final day on yesterday washed out due to heavy rain and not a single over being bowled while Kandy who scored a massive total of 444 all out and Jaffna led by Dhananjaya de Silva managed to score 227 all out. Kandy in their second innings were 52 for 1 wicket at close of third day’s play.
Earlier two spinners Lasith Embuldeniya 4 for 100 and Ashian Daniel 3 for 89 as Jaffna were removed for 227 and Kandy were able to take 217 runs lead.
When the rain halted the game with 13 overs to spare on third day Kandy who scored 52 for 1 had a lead of 269 runs. Kandy coached by Malinda Warnapura made a good team effort to win this tournament.
After Kandy’s first innings total of 444 all out in Jaffna’s first innings opener Nishan Madushka was the most successful batter with scoring 57 in 124 balls with 5 fours while their key stroke maker Saminda Fernando was clean bowled to Asitha Fernando scoring only 3 runs in 17 balls. Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva scored a brisk knock of 30 in 33 balls with 4 fours and that prized wicket took by young off spinner Ashian Daniel. The spin all rounder Dilum Sudeera who was the most successful bowler of Jaffna with 4-wicket haul on the second day once again performed with the bat scoring an unbeaten fighting knock of 49 with 7 fours in 88 balls as a number 8 batter but no one from the other end to support him at the low order as Jaffna bundled out for 227 all out.
The experienced leggie Lasith Embuldeniya was the chief wreaker of Kandy having 4 for 100 in his 39 overs spell while off spinner Asian Daniel 3 for 89 and paceman Asitha Fernando 2 for 25 played a good supporting role to get first innings lead for Kandy.
Kandy skipper Kamindu Mendis who scored 886 runs with an average of 80.54 including 4 centuries was named Player of the Tournament while Oshada Fernando of Kandy who scored 721 runs with an average of 80.11 with 4 centuries won Best Batter of the tournament and Best Bowler of the tournament award was won by Colombo leg spinner Prabath Jayasuriya who took highest 26 wickets in this series.
SLC conducted this tournament successfully while it’s chairman of the tournament committee Samantha Dodanwela and Head of National Cricket operations Chintaka Edirimanne were chief guests at the awards presentation.
Chief scores
Kandy 444 all out and 52 for 1 wicket at close (Kamil Mishara 26, Kasun Vidura 16 n.o)
Jaffna 227 all out (Nishan Madushka 57, Dhananjaya de Silva 30,Dilum Sudeera 49 n.o, Lasith Embuldeniya 4/100, Asitha Fernando 2/25, Ashian Daniel 3/89)
Monday, April 11, 2022 – 01:00