Kandy team led by Kamindu Mendis once again came up with fine performances to reach the top of the points table at the ongoing National Super League (NSL) four-day tournament. Kandy, the National Super League Limited-over runners-up, once again heading for the semi-finals in this four-day tourney. They played two matches while both matches ended with no decisions but they were able to maintain the highest points of 24.77 to reach the top. Like in the NSL Limited Overs the top four teams in the League will qualify to play in the semi-finals and then the final.
Kamindu Mendis the 23-year-old left-hander is the most successful batter scoring 327 runs with an average of 81.75 and he was able to make back to back centuries in their matches against Galle and Jaffna while his teammate Sahan Arachchige came to the second slot scoring 305 runs with an average of 101.66, having century and two half-centuries so far in this tournament. Kandy’s Oshada Fernando (211 runs) and wicket-keeper Lahiru Udara (208 runs) were also among the runs while laying on 5th and 6th positions among the batters.
Meanwhile, Colombo led by Sammu Ashan is the only team having an outright victory over Dambulla so far in this tournament and they came to the second slot of the points table with 22.25 points followed by Jaffna with 15.29 points. Colombo’s middle-order batter Roshen Silva was among the runs with 231 runs also recorded the highest individual score of unbeaten 174 against Dambulla while their leg spinner Prabath Jayasuriya came on top of the bowlers with capturing 11 wickets with best figures of 6 for 169. Kandy’s leg spinner 23-year-old Avindu Theekshana was in second place with 7 wickets including a five-wicket haul against Jaffna. Colombo off-spinner Lakshitha Manasinghe and Jaffna leg spinners Dunith Wellalage had six wickets each also in 3rd and 4th places among the bowlers.
The two matches will commence today and Kandy is expected to play against Colombo at R. Premadasa Stadium while Galle will meet Dambulla at Dambulla International stadium.
Team standings 1.Kandy (24.22pts), 2. Colombo (22.25pts), 3. Jaffna (15.29pts), 4. Galle (3.75pts), 5, Dambulla (3.42pts)
Best batting performances 1.Kamindu Mendis (Kandy) 327 runs, 2. Sahan Arachchige (Kandy) 305 runs, 3. Saminda Fernando (Jaffna) 243 runs, 4. Roshen Silva (Colombo) 231 runs, 5. Oshada Fernando (Kandy) 211 runs 6. Lahiru Udara (Kandy) 208 runs
Best bowling performances 1. Prabath Jayasuriya (Colombo) 11 wickets, 2. Aviindu Theekshana (Kandy) 7 wickets, 3. Lakshitha Manasinghe (Colombo) 6 wickets, 4. Dunith Wellalage (Jaffna) 6 wickets