Waduge’s ton lifts Galle out of danger
A century from Pabasara Waduge (128) and a late and an unfinished 60 from Suminda Lakshan propelled the home team Galle of cutting down the deficit inside 100, when an early stumps was drawn yesterday due to rain, at the end of day three in one of the two opening games of the National Super League four-dayer.
Hosts starting their innings lost Sangeeth Cooray after a good start. He was separated after an opening wicket partnership of 64 with Pabasara Waduge.
The other batters who followed, failed to keep company for the centurion Waduge, and kept on losing wickets sporadically. Only a late and an unbroken partnership between Suminda Lakshan and tail ender Heshan Hettiarachchi worth 91-runs, got Galle somewhere closer to Kandy’s mammoth first innings of 482.
But in between, Waduge too, gave his contribution and hitting a fine hundred comprising nine boundaries and four 6’s. His innings also starred in forging a few partnerships.
Earlier in the match, Kandy winning the toss and taking the first lease of the wicket, was off to a flying start, when their opening batters shared a 160-run stand between. Both, however, were unlucky to be dismissed in the 90’s.
Kandy’s captain Kamindu Mendis taught a lesson of how to lead by example, top scoring for his team with a fabulous 111. His team mates too, excellently contributed with five 50+ scores. Of the individual scores from the hill country boys, it was Croospulle’s 93 that came fast in 107 balls, inclusive of 10 boundaries and three sixes.
Chief scores:
Kandy – 1st innings: 482 all out (120.1) (Kamindu Mendis 111, Lasith Croospulle 93, Lahiru Udara 92, Kasun Vidura 58, Sahan Arachchige 52, Heshan Hettiarachci 4-64, Nimesh Vimukthi 3-120)
Galle – 1st innings: 388 for 8 (123.1) (Pabasara Waduge 128, Suminda Lakshan 60 n.o., Asitha Fernando 2-64, Sahan Arachchige 2-58)