Dambulla’s skipper Minod Bhanuka cracked an unbeaten 108 off 133 balls in a second innings score of 279 for 6 for an overall lead of 363 after Colombo had totalled 257 on the third day of their National Super League match at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Bhanuka, the 27-year old left handed wicket-keeper batsman hailing from Kurunegala’s Maliyadeva Vidyalaya and CCC player, pierced the boundary on eleven occasions and one over the top in following up his first innings 73 with Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva joining in the run act hitting 40 off 28 powered by 2 over the top and 5 across. First innings centurion Ashan Priyanjan scored 32 off 82 inclusive of 2 boundaries. Chamindu Wijesinghe was unbeaten on 38 off 70 having crossed the boundary 5 times. Dushan Vimukthi was the pick of Colombo’s bowlers claiming 3 for 64 with Tharindu Ratnayake taking 2 for 73.
At the outset, Colombo, resuming from an overnight 208 for 6, added a further 49 with Roshen Silva, who was on 47. going on to make 65 off 152.inclusive of 4 boundaries. Lahiru Samarakoon picked a career best 6 for 63 with Wanindu Hasaranga taking 2 for 70.
CHIEF SCORES: Dambulla 341 (Ashan Priyanjan 114, Minod Bhanuka 73, Himesh Rathnayake 4/76) & 279/6.(72 Overs) (Minod Bhanuka n.o. 108, Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 40. Chamindu Wijesinghe n.o. 38, Ashan Priyanjan 32, Sanoj Darshika 29, Nimesh Gunasinghe 17, Dushan Vimukthi 3/64, Tharindu Ratnayake 2/73, Lakshanka Munasinghe 1/60)
Colombo 257 (85.2 Overs) (Roshen Silva 65, Krishnan Sanjula 57, Navindu Vithanage 46, Pramod Madushan 24, Tharindu Ratnayake 23, Lakshitha Munasinghe 20, Lahiru Samarakoon 6/63, Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 2/70, Ashan Priyanjan 1/23, Devindu Tillekeratne 1/37)
