Jaffna take honours; but draw on the cards
View(s):Several Jaffna batters chipped in with their bats, inclusive of two 69’s from Nishan Madushka and Janith Liyanage complemented by a seven wicket spell from national fast-bowler Nuwan Pradeep propelling them to gain a 71-run lead on day-03 stumps, at the National Super Provincial 4-day tournament yesterday.
After losing one wicket early on, Nishan Madushka and Saminda Fernando, having made 52, joined and built exactly a 100-run stand to take them to a respectable looking position at Dambulla.
Dhananjaya De Silva, team’s regular skipper, returning to domestic duty after national assignment, did not make much of an impression getting out for 25.
However, his teammate’s contributions meant his failure to fire was compensated.
Avishka Tharindu’s 40 from the lower-order was a knock that came in quick succession taking only 56 balls with the aid of a six. Malinda Pushpakumara, second-highest wicket-taker already from three outings, continued his form with a four-for so far.
Earlier, home side Dambulla winning the toss and opting to bat first, lost their openers cheaply. After the host settled with a hundred-run partnership, Pradeep, the wrecker-in-chief, returned to remove both the batters with Captain Minod Bhanuka being the first to go. During that process, he was also on a hat-trick only to be denied of that. However, his sensational seven-wicket comprised three ducks.
Chief scores:
Dambulla 283 all out (99.5) (Lasith Abeyratne 68, Dushan Hemantha 63*, Minod Bhanuka 53, Nuwan Pradeep 7/52, Dhananjaya De Silva 1/35)
Jaffna 354 for seven (118) (Nishan Madushka 69, Janith Liyanage 69, Saminda Fernando 52, Avishka Tharindu 40, Malinda Pushpakumara 4/131)