By Srian Obeyesekere
One drop batsman Kamil Mishara struck back to back centuries in flaying the Colombo attack to the tune of 172 runs off 217 balls hitting 18 boundaries and 2 sixes following is 158 versus Galle last week as Kandy ran up an imposing 382 for 5 wickets on the opening day of the Sri Lanka Cricket Super League 4-day fixture at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota yesterday.
On a day Kandy went on the rampage with skipper Sahan Arachchige striking 68 off 125 balls inclusive of 5 boundaries and a six in further harmonizing knocks of 48 upfront by opener Janishka Perera 48 off 85 with 7 boundaries and No.4 Nuwanidu Fernando 45 off 62 containing 6 boundaries and a six, the one snag was top notch opener the usually reliable Sri Lankan performer Pathum Nissanka falling for a second ball duck to Sri Lankan teammate Kasun Rajitha, who had him nicking one behind to wicket-keeper Shehan Fernando in a running form rut.
Colombo’s Dushan Hemantha claimed 2 wickets for 62 runs with Rajitha 1 for 61 and Nishan Peiris 1 for 99.
Meanwhile, Galle was bowled out for 267 by Dambulla on their home grounds yesterday despite Sri Lankan opener Oshada Fernando striking a remarkable century of exactly 100 off 163 balls piercing the boundary on eight occasions and two over the top while Dinesh Chandimal, another Sri Lankan cap, struck 73 off 124 aided by 6 to the ropes and two over the top on a day Akila Dananjaya, the former Sri Lankan spinner was on song picking 7 wickets for 83 runs off 27 overs, two of which were maidens on the opening day of their National Super League game. Asitha Fernando took a lending 2 wickets for 37.
Dambulla had replied with 38 for no loss at stumps consuming 9 overs with Nishan Madushka on 15 off 24 with 2 boundaries and Lasith Croospulle retiring hurt on 11 off 9 crossing the boundary twice. Next in Sahan Kosala wan on 12 off 21 with 2 boundaries.
CHIEF SCORES:
Kandy Vs Colombo
Kandy 382/5 (90 Overs)
(Kamil Mishara 172, Sahan Arachchige 68, Janishka Perera 48, Nuwanidu Fernando 45, Sohan de Livera n.o. 19, Chamindu Wickramasinghe n.o. 15, Dushan Hemantha 2/62, Nishan Peiris 1/99)
Galle Vs Dambulla
Galle 267 (74 Overs)
(Oshada Fernando 100, Dinesh Chandimal 73, Avishka Perera 29, Sadeera Samarawickrama 19, Nipun Dhananjaya 14, Akila Dananjaya 7/83, Asitha Fernando 2/37, Vishwa Fernando /51)
Dambulla 38/0 (9 Overs)
(Nishan Madushka n.o. 15, Lasith Croospulle retired hurt 11, Sahan Kosala n.o. 12)
