Dambulla down the drain; others fire in their own ways

The opening week of the National Super League, concluding with today, saw a mix of low and moderately- scored games being worked off at Tamil Union and the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds.

Match 1: Galle beat Colombo by 3 wickets at SSC

Colombo failed to defend their insufficient target of 213, enabling Galle draw first blood by seven-wickets, courtesy to Priyamal Perera’s match-winning unbeaten knock of 98* last Monday (24).

His near-hundred comprised eleven boundaries and one maximum, during which, he was associated in a 110-run stand with national cap, Ramesh Mendis, the next best scorer for 37. Visiting Galle too, it appeared they would suffer the same fate of not even reaching the target, but the near-centurion from Colts Cricket Club ensured there was no such scare.

Earlier, the home team electing to bat first was off to a good start with the returning Kusal Mendis getting some runs. But the middle-order and beyond, completely let down the team and eventually the hosts managed to muster only a modest target. Apart from Maheesh Theekshana taking three scalps, Ramesh Mendis and Dhananjaya Lakshan shared 2 wickets apiece.

Colombo 213 for 10 (47.3) (Krishan Sanjula 46, Kusal Mendis 37, Maheesh Theekshana 3/42, Dananjaya Lakshan 2/25, Ramesh Mendis 2/31) Galle 215 for 7 (42.4) (Priyamal Perera 98 n.o., Ramesh Mendis 37, P Jayasuriya 2/40, Kavindu Nadeeshan 2/43)

Match 2: Jaffna beat Dambulla by 176 runs at P. Sara Oval

Jaffna proved to be insurmountable opening their account against Dambulla, blowing them out for a meek and weak 79, on the back of skipper Dhananjaya De Silva’s all-round show of 69 and fabulous figures of three-for-five played on the same day.

Dambulla chasing, was chased away instead folding under three-digits, with the captain even earning two maidens off his only four-overs. Only Dambulla’s skipper Ashan Priyaranjan showed the most resistance for his 32 Hosts, inserted to bat first, posted a decent target of 255, coming off Dananjaya De Silva’s 69 off only 64 and Ishan Jayaratne and opening wicket-keeper batsman Sadeera Samawickrama’s near-run-a-ball 44 and 40, respectively.

Jaffna 255 all out (47.1) (Dhananjaya de Silva 69, Ishan Jayaratne 44, Sadeera Samarawickrama 40, Vishwa Fernando 3.41, Lakshan Sandakan 3//44)

Dambulla 79 all out (25.5) (Ashan Priyaranjan 32, Dhananjaya de Silva 3.5, Jeffrey Vandersay 2/12)

Match 3: Kandy beat Jaffna by

6 wickets at SSC

Kandy was quick enough to record their first win and that too in convincing style after the banned and returnee Niroshan Dickwella’s 69 and his captain Kamindu Mendis unfinished 57 propelled them in reaching the target with plenty of overs and wickets in hand on Wednesday (26). Kandy chasing 247, was never tested or troubled when they were off to a flier through a century worth opening stand (105). The team contributed with most of the batters chipping in, and Mendis and Dickwella leading from the front with their aggressive knocks. Vice-captain Dickwella’s 69 off only 45 came off from seven fours’ and four sixes and his captain 57* from as many balls, inclusive off a six. Jaffna, batting first, would’ve believed they had enough on the board to defend, only for their counterpart’s hand Jaffna the first defeat. Though Lahiru Thirimanne (56) and Peterite Santhush Gunathilake all got starts, their bowlers never managed to defend their target and only finished with expensive figures.

Jaffna 246 for 8 (50) (Lahiru Thirimanne 56, Danushka Gunathilake 45, Janith Liyanage 41, Nipun Ransika 3/41, Pulina Tharanga 2/44) Kandy 247 for 4 (39.4) (Niroshan Dickwella 69, Kamindu Mendis 57, S Fernando 2/33)

Match 4: Colombo beat Dambulla by

7 wickets at P. Sara Oval

Dambulla, coincidentally, were involved and succumbed to another low- scoring affair going down to Colombo by seven wickets after a batting failure let them down.

However, the scoreboard suggested the cause, with not much no known names except for that of captain’s Ashan Priyaranjan’s 31, the second highest score. Clustering of players seems to be the culprit as it was all new-found-names and no seniors in the side.

Colombo, with a stark contrast of half of them packed with all national-level players, had a walk in the park knocking off the target making it a T20 affair.

Their wicket-keeper Kusal Mendis’s quick-fire 67 of 44 laid the foundation and captain Charith Asalanka unbeaten 52 gave the finishing touches. Dambulla 143 all out (40) (Lasith Abeyratne 41, Ashan Priyaranjan 31, Prabath Jayasuriya

NSL CRICKET

The action mid of next week will move to the central hills and Dambulla, where the tournament will continue and conclude at Pallekele, mid of this month. 3/35, Charith Asalanka 2/19)

Colombo 144 for 3 (20.4) (Kusal Mendis 67, Charith Asalanka 52n.o.,)

Match 5: Galle beat Dambulla by 3 wickets at SSC

Dambulla player selection has seemingly gone all wrong with mostly rookie players as they suffered their third straight loss by three wickets as only two batsmen displayed some fightback and pathetically one such knock coming lower in the order on Friday (28).

They were down and out throughout their innings, with only Pavan Rathnayake top scoring with 44. Lakshan Sandakan produced a surprising 34 late in the innings. However, that aside, their scorecard painted only a poor picture.

But the main surprise during Dambulla’s defence was the manner in which their bowlers bounced back strongly, nearly defending their low- score.

Skipper Ashan Priyaranjan after flunking with the bat picked up two wickets, including the highest scorer, Ashan Randika, denying him of a half-century by only one run. His fellow bowlers accounted for more five victims, nearly landing their opponents in a spot of bother.

Dambulla 165 all out (49.3) (Pavan Rathnayake 44, Lakshan Sandakan 34, Heshan Hettiarachchu 3/31, Dananjaya Lakshan 3/40) Galle 166 for 7 (34.2) (Ashan Randika 49, Muditha Lakshan 37, Lahiru Samarakoon 3/37)

Match 6: Colombo beat Kandy by 6 wickets at P. Sara Oval

In the first high- scoring match of the tournament so far, Colombo overcame Kandy effortlessly by six wickets with a superb team show played on the same day.

Dimuth Karunaratne-led Colombo had a delightful batting scorecard, the duck being the only odd. But their batters contributed to the cause, with the former U-19 captain Nipun Dananjaya top scoring for them with a 70. Karunaratne also hit a run-a-ball 59 and handy knocks flowing in their way from other batters.

Kandy, setting the target first, mainly rode on the back of an excellent 86 from Sahan Arahchchige, comprising nine 4’s and a six. There were other valuable knocks from other quarters that pushed to a competitive target of 271. Lahiru Madushanka of Colombo was pick of the bowlers four-for 54 and the next best of Kalana Perera claiming three wickets.

Kandy 271 all out (50) (Sahan Arahchige 86, Pulina Tharanga 36, Lakshan Madushanka 4/54, Kalana Perera 3/40)

Colombo 274 for 4 (48.1) (Nipun Dananjaya 70, Nuwanidu Fernando 67, Dimuth Karunaratne 59)

Previews Match 7: Kandy vs Dambulla at SSC

Dambulla, bottom-of-the-table, would be looking to post their badly-needed first win when they take on Kandy today.

Kandy, on the other hand, with one loss and a win would want to return to winning-ways after their last match ended in a loss.

Match 8: Galle vs Jaffna at P. Sara Oval Galle, the table-toppers, would be wanting to maintain the top-of-the-table status against an equally good looking Jaffna to be played on the same day.

While the Jaffna men, playing their last match at home, would want to make the most of their home conditions and earn their second win.

Match 9: Colombo vs Jaffna at SSC

Colombo taking Jaffna, two strong sides of the competition, at the former’s home grounds, is poised to be an interesting battle that would be played on Tuesday (1).

Both the teams, at the time of writing, have enjoyed easy wins and look a well-balanced unit. Karunaratne’s side would be aiming to make it two-in-two wins, while Jaffna too, would want to climb to that second spot.

Match 10: Kandy vs Galle at P. Sara Oval

A tussle between the tournament leaders and the fourth-placed Kandy, as of on Saturday (29), would be a different battle.

The hill country team is yet to fire fully and the down south team looks in nick. Will Kandy spoil Galle’s run remains to be seen.

Match 11: Dambulla vs Jaffna at Pallekele As the action moves to the central hills, both teams playing on a neutral ground, the two teams would be seeking rack up wins. Dambulla, down the order, would want to return the compliments of the heavy defeat suffered early in the competition.

Match 12: Colombo vs Galle at Dambulla With the games moving to the third host of the tournament, Colombo too, would be aiming to settle the dues of the defeat from Dambulla. But it would be a daunting task for Galle, given the star- studded Colombo team.