Kandy sitting cool

A near-hundred-run opening stand for the visiting Galle gave them a flying start, however, though, they were still dealing with a deficit of 311, in the semi-final 2 of the National Super Provincial four-dayer at Pallekelle, yesterday.

When rain forced a premature stumps, Pabasara Waduge was unbeaten on 68, along with new batter Hashan Dumindu settling in. Earlier, when Galle won the toss and inserted the hosts to bat first, the home team had to overcome the early loss of Kamil Mishara. But soon a 200-run partnership between captain Kamindu Mendis (108) and Oshada Fernando (127) ranchored their innings.

However, the pair was soon dismissed with skipper Mendis, the first to go, and his partner following suit of him.

Right-handed Fernando has been consistently making a case to return to the national side with half-a-dozen 50+ scores, including three hundreds with the ongoing match.

Lahiru Udara, too, joined the run scorers with an excellent 87. Udara’s knock carried his team to post a commanding 458. The Lakshan duo of Dananjaya and Suminda shared five-wickets between them.