Skipper Dhananjaya guides Jaffna to massive win

An all-round performance by skipper Dhananjaya de Silva paved the way for Jaffna to record a massive 176-run win over Dambulla in the first match of the National Super League limited over tournament played at the SSC ground.

Skipper de Silva cracked a top score of 69 in only 64 balls inclusive of ten boundaries and associated in a valuable 81 runs stand for the fourth wicket with Santhush Gunatileke for Jaffna taking first lease of the wicket make a formidable score of 255.

Dambulla in their run chase had an inauspicious start as they lost two wickets in the first two balls with pacie Ishan Jayaratne doing the damage. They never recovered from that set back as de Silva bagged two scalps to have them struggling on 55 for 5 in the 15th over.

Apart from Dambulla skipper Ashan Priyanjan who made 32 the late order batting failed to make any impression as they lost the remaining five wickets for the addition of only 23 runs being bundled out for paltry 79 runs.

De Silva ended with impressive figures of 3 for 5 and was supported by Jeffrey Vandersay and Jayaratne who together shared four wickets between them to guide Jaffna to a winning start.

In another match of the same tournament played at the P. Sara Stadium Galle helped by an unbeaten 98 by Priyamal Perera started their campaign on a winning note with a comfortable three wicket win over Colombo.

Colombo taking first lease of the wicket though given a sound start of 56 runs by openers Kusal Mendis and Krishan Sanjula failed in the latter stages of the innings as they lost wickets at regular intervals and were restricted for a score of 213 runs.

Galle in pursuit of 215 runs did not have things and were in a spot of bother with their top five batsmen back in the pavilion with the score on 93 in the 21st over.

From there on Perera took the responsibility on his shoulders and found a reliable partner in Ramesh Mendis as the pair put on a match winning 110-run stand for the sixth wicket before they were separated with the dismissal of Ramesh who made 37.

Galle left with 12 runs in 54 balls saw Perera steering and helping his side to reach the target in the 43rd over. Perera’s match winning unbeaten knock came off 112 balls which comprised 11 boundaries and a six.

Two matches are down for decision tomorrow with Jaffna meeting Kandy and Dambulla clashing with Colombo.