National Super League 4-day Cricket Semi-finals:
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Dhammika Ratnaweera
Kusal Mendis, who scored an unbeaten 83, plays a shot in their semi-final against Jaffna. (Pic courtesy SLC)
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Kusal Mendis was once again back on form scoring an unbeaten knock of 83 which guided Colombo to score 224 for 6 wickets at close of the first day’s play in the National Super League 4-day cricket semi-final game against Jaffna started at Mahinda Rajapaksa International cricket stadium yesterday.
Colombo openers skipper Dimuth Karunaratne (39) and Krishan Sanjula (39) made a solid start by adding 75 runs in 24.4 overs.
However, Kusal Mendis the experienced right-hander made a superb knock of 83 with 8 fours in 185 ball innings, he also added 111 runs for the fourth wicket stand with Madawa Warnapura who scored 42 with 4 boundaries in his 150-ball knock.
Warnapura was originally not in the Colombo team then got a chance to play this semi-final as five regular Colombo players were tested positive for Covid 19 before this match. Roshen Silva, the top wicket-taker Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Madishanka, Nipun Dhananjaya, and Ashen Bandara were the players who tested positive.
The first day’s bowling honors was taken by Jaffna skipper Dhananjaya de Silva who grabbed 4 for 42 in his 17-over spell while paceman Nuwan Pradeep and Vandasay shared one wicket each.
Meanwhile, at Pallekelke Stadium, Kandy made 192 for 2 wickets in 52 overs when rain halted the first day with 49 overs to spare.
Skipper Kamindu Mendis scored 51 in 65 balls hitting 5 fours and a six while Oshada Fernando scored 71 in 141 balls, hit 7 fours also added an unbroken 81-run third-wicket stand at close of the day, and Kandy once again is heading for a big total in this semi-final. Galle paceman Dhananjaya Lakshan took both wickets of the day and finished 2 for 29 in his 8-over spell.
Chief scores
* At Hambantota. Colombo 224/6 at close (Krishan Sanjula 39, Dimuth Karunaratne 39, Kusal Mendis 83*, Madawa Warnapura 42, Dhananjaya de Silva 4/42) vs Jaffna
* At Pallekele
Kandy: 192/2 at close (Kasun Vidura 45, Oshada Fernando 71*, Kamindu Mendis 51*, Dhananajaya Lakshan 2/29) vs Galle.
Friday, April 1, 2022 – 01:00
