By Srian Obeyesekere

Galle, led by skipper Ramesh Mendis, retained the Sri Lanka Cricket organized National Super League Championship title by virtue of first innings points having scored 370 to Dambulla’s 313 in the four-day final that concluded in a no decision at the SSC Grounds yesterday.

Dambulla, led by Sri Lanka Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva, lost the initiative after its frontline collapsed before Nimasara Atharagalla’s 5-wicket take.

The game was marred by rain stoppages with Galle going on to extend their overnight second innings 139 for 4 to 246 for 5 when rain forced the umpires to call off play during the tea break with Dunith Wellalage unbeaten on 59 off 139 balls, with four boundaries and a six and skipper Ramesh Mendis on 50 off 84 hitting 4 boundaries.

The tournament’s top run getter was a neck to neck race with Ravindu Rasantha with 455 runs ahead by a single digit to Dinesh Chandimal’s 454.

Galle’s winning Captain, Ramesh Mendis received the winner’s trophy from Sri Lanka Cricket’s Secretary, Bandula Dissanayake,
The top Player of the Tournament and Best Bowlers awards went to Dambulla’s Akila Dananjaya who topped the bowling with 37 wickets while Galle’s Dinesh Chandimal was adjudged Player of the Final. Jaffna’s Ravindu Rasantha was the Best Batsman.

Galle’s Dunith Wellalage and Kandy’s Shiran Fernando were in a neck to neck tie of joint second in the bowling honours with 15 wickets apiece.

Sri Lanka Cricket’s Secretary, Bandula Dissanayake was joined by SLC Tournament Committee Chairman Nalin Aponsu, and SLC Umpires Committee Chairman Samantha Dodanwala at the awards presentation ceremony.