Dunith pilots Jaffna to victory

National under 19 captain Dunith Wellalage made a fighting knock of 74 runs off 87 balls with 5 fours and a six as Jaffna was crowned champions of the inaugural National Super League 50 over tournament defeating Kandy by 37 runs in the National Super league final played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Dunith Wellalage the man of the final who scored 74 playing a shot

Having won the toss Kandy skipper opted to bowl first in order to take the advantage of the overcast conditions at Pallekele Kandy seamers utilized the conditions to their advantage picking up two early wickets in the first 7 overs, but Jaffna came back strongly to rescue the innings as they posted 258 runs in 48.3 overs.

The promising all rounder Wellalage showed his potential by making a brilliant knock of 74 under pressure adding 80 runs in a fourth wicket partnership with Nimanda Madushanka built up the Jaffna innings while Ravindu Fernando (41) Nishan Madushanka (36) also made useful knocks for Jaffna to reach 258 all out. Kandy paceman Asitha Fernando was very impressive with the ball taking 5 wickets for 44 runs while Sachindu Colambage played a good supporting role with 2 for 53.

Chasing 259 runs to win Kandy got off to a shaky start losing four top order wickets inside first 11 overs and Jaffna paceman Promod Madushan made an early breakthrough. Skipper Kamindu Mendis (46) and Sahan Arachchige (33) added valuable 73 runs fifth wicket stand and later hard hitting stroke maker Thikshila De Silva scored 37 in 19 balls with 3 sixes and 2 fours tried to rescue the innings with useful knocks in the middle but they was not enough to reach their target .The paceman Promod Madushan was pick of the Jaffna bowlers taking 4 for 59 while Nimanda Madushanka 3 for 17 guided to Jaffna to victory with their fine bowling spells.

Dunith Wellalage was adjudged the man of the final for his fighting knock while Pulina Tharanga the leg spinner of Kandy and Nuwanidu Fernando of Colombo were named best bowler and best batsman of the tournament. Dhananjaya de Silva the skipper of Jaffna who did not play at this final due to National team practices was named best player of the tournament.

Chief scores

Jaffna 258 all out in 48.3 overs Nishan Madushanka 36,Dunith Wellalage 74, Nimanda Madushanka 35, Ravindu Fernando 41,Asitha Fernando 5 / 44, Sachindu Kolambage 2/53

Kandy 221 all out in 45.5 overs Kaveen Bandara 24,Lasith Croospulle 16, Oshada Fernando 22, Kamindu Mendis 46, Sahan Arachchige 33, Thikshila De Silva 37, Sachindu Colambage 20, Promod Madushan 4/59, Nimanda Madushanka 3/17.

Awards

Best batsman of the tournament.– Nuwanidu Fernando (Colombo),

Best bowler of the tournament – Pulina Tharanga (Kandy)

Best player of the tournament.– Dhananjaya de Silva (Jaffna)

Man of the final – Dunith Wellalage ( Jaffna )