Galle take firm control of NSL final

By M. Shamil Amit

Galle took firm control when they reduced their opponents Dambulla to 154 for five on the second day of the National Super League four-day cricket tournament final, continued at the SSC Grounds in Maitland Place yesterday.       

Opener Ron Chandraguptha hit a superb half century and added 85 runs for the third wicket with Sammu Ashan, but the rest of the batting collapsed against the bowling of Nimsara Atharagalla.

The 25-year-old right-arm fast bowler picked up wickets at regular intervals and finished with excellent figures of four for 50 from eight overs.

Dambulla were cruising along at one stage with Chandraguptha stroking nine boundaries during his knock of 65 and Ashan showing promise before Skipper Ramesh Mendis broke the threatening partnership in the 27th over.

Atharagalla then removed Ashan for a stubborn 35 and captured the key wicket of Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva as Dambulla slumped from a promising 117 for three to 138 for five.       

Earlier, Galle, resuming from their overnight score of 210 for five, extended their first innings to a formidable 370 with Dunith Wellalage (34), Ramesh Mendis (31) and Santhush Gunathilake (39) making useful contributions.