Jaffna skipper Dhananjaya de Silva and Dambulla right arm medium paceman Lahiru Samarakoon came on top of the batting and bowling at the ongoing National Super League limited over cricket tournament conducted by the Sri Lanka cricket. Dhananjaya the experienced right hander has scored 273 runs with a century and two half centuries also maintaining an average of 45.50 in six matches while Lahiru Samarakoon who played only four matches so far in this tournament has highest wickets 13 with two back to back four wickets hauls. However Samarakoon’s achievements were in vain as Dambulla so far couldn’t able to win a single game in their six matches.
Kandy team led by Niroshan Dikwella once again came on top of the points table while they have obtained highest points of 20 with a net run rate of 1.719. They played five matches and won four and lost only to Colombo having three more matches to play. They have good chance to enter the final with their good form in all three departments. Kandy team coached by Malinda Warnapura have the services of Niroshan Dikwella who already scored 188 runs while Oshada Fernando the second best batter with 223 runs with a century and all rounder Sahan Arachchige also having 183 runs in five matches are in good form.
Kandy spinners Pulina Tharanga being the second highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 12 wickets with best figures of 6 for 29 and 20-year-old off spinner Ashian Daniel who played his first game against Jaffna on last Monday had a superb figures of 5 for 27 leading to maintain their winning momentum. Meanwhile Jaffna team was laying on second place after defeat in their last game against Kandy which was a low scoring game at Dambulla. Jaffna opener Sadeera Samarawickrama who scored 31 unfortunately run out in this game while experienced two batters Lahiru Thirimanne and Dhananjaya de Silva were unable to complete double figures which coast them a lot. In fact Samarawickrama the wicket keeper batter already having 214 runs with an average of 42.80 while doing a superb job as the keeper with highest dismissals 10 ( 8 catches and 2 stumps ) so far in this tournament. Kandy middle order batter Santhush Gunathillkea also scored 199 runs with an average of 39.80 also is in good form.
Meanwhile Colombo already in third place having recorded three wins out of six matches and their next game against Kandy which scheduled to be played tomorrow (10) at Pallekele is very important for both teams. Colombo opener Sithara Gimhan played a superb knock of 110 while young Nuwanidu Fernando also made a century in their last game against Dambulla. Gimhana the wicket keeper batter made a good start with Nipun Dhananjaya who scored 47 to add a 129-run stand in their game while Sithara and Nuwanidu further added 62-run second wicket stand and these two combination paved the way to score 317 for 6 wickets which was second highest team total in this tournament (Kandy scored 318 for 9 against Dambulla earlier which was highest team total)
Best batting performances
1.Dhananjaya de Silva (Jaffna) 273 runs, 2. Oshada Fernando (Kandy ) 223 runs, 3.Nuwanidu Fernando (Colombo) 216 runs, 4.Sadeera Samarawickrama (Jaffna) 214 runs, 5. Santhush Gunathileka (Jaffna) 199 runs, 6. Niroshan Dikwella (Kandy )188 runs, 7. Sahan Arachchige (Kandy) 183 runs, 8. Ashen Bandara (Colombo) 183 runs.
Best bowling performances
1. Lahiru Samarakoon (Dambulla) 13 wickets, 2. Pulina Tharanga (Kandy ) 12 wickets, 3. Lahiru Madushanka (Colombo) 10 wickets, 4. Kalana Perera (Colombo) 10 wickets, 5. Dhananajaya de Silva (Jaffna ) 8 wickets, 6. Dhananjaya Lakshan (Galle) 8 wickets, 7. Akila Dananjaya (Galle) 8 wickets, 8. Tharindu Ratnayake (Colombo) 8 wickets.
Team standings of this tournament (up to Feb 7th ): 1. Kandy (20 points) 2. Jaffna (18 points), 3. Colombo (14 points), 4.Galle (13 points), 5. Dambulla (0 points)
The remain matches of the tournament
Feb 10 Kandy Vs Colombo at Pallekele and Galle Vs Dambulla at Dambulla
Feb 13 Jaffna Vs Galle at Pallekele and Dambulla Vs Kandy at Dambulla
Feb 16 Galle Vs Kandy at Pallekele and Jaffna Vs Colombo at Dambulla
Feb 19 –final at Pallekele (Day Night game)
Add new comment