Defending champs Galle set to retain NSL title

Vishad Randika made a vain effort for Dambulla (Pic courtesy SLC)

By M. Shamil Amit 

Defending champions Galle have taken the upper hand against Dambulla when play ended on day three in the final of the National Super League (NSL) Cricket Tournament played at the SSC Grounds in Maitland Place.

Galle have already secured a first innings lead by restricting Dambulla for a score of 313 runs in reply to their score of 370 runs.

Dambulla were making steady progress with Vishad Randika making successive centuries, but it proved to be in vain as he lost partners after having put on a valuable 80 runs for the sixth wicket with Chamindu Wijesinghe.

The separation of the pair saw Vishad losing his partners cheaply. Vishad was the last to be dismissed having made a valuable 124 in 186 balls that included 15 boundaries and three sixes.

Galle batting the second time ended the day on 139 for four for an overall lead of 196 runs. Galle with their first inning lead are almost assured of the title unless something dramatic takes place on the final days play today.

Chief scores
Galle: 370 and 139/4 (Nipun Dhananjaya 22, Dinesh Chandimal 54 n.o, Mohamed Shiraz 2/17)

Dambulla (154/5 overnight): 313 (Vishad Randika 124, Ron Chandraguptha 65, Sammu Ashan 35, Chamindu Wijesinghe 28, Nimsara Atharagalla 5/101, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth 2/28).