After the two games from week one ended inside three days, week two began with Jaffna taking the field for the first time in the tournament facing Dambulla who lost to Galle last week. In the other clash of the week, Kandy who beat Colombo during week one is facing Galle, the other team that registered a win last week.
In the Jaffna versus Dambulla encounter, Dambulla won the toss and elected to bowl first in seamer friendly conditions at the SSC grounds. The decision proved to be perfect for them Jaffna batters struggled big time facing the pace bowling duo of Vishwa Fernando and Asitha Fernando. Left arm pacer Vishwa took 5 for 14 and right arm pacer Asitha took 4 for 24 as Jaffna were bowled out for 62. In Jaffna’s innings that went nowhere, none of the batters were able to go past 20 and only three were able to get double digit scores.
After stamping their authority with the ball in hand, Dambulla then came out to bat hoping to muster a healthy lead. But the Jaffna pacers had a good start as Yasiru Rodrigo with the help of Nipun Malinga removed the entire top order of the opposition as they were 4 wickets down for 22. But Minod Bhanuka played a captain’s knock scoring an unbeaten 64 from 93 balls and he was equally well supported by Ranitha Liyanarachchi who made 51. The pair put together a 112 run stand for the 6th wicket before Liyanarachchi departed. At stumps on day 1, Dambulla were on 170 for the loss of 6 wickets as they were 108 runs ahead of Jaffna’s first innings total.
In the other game between the two winners from last week, Galle won the toss and decided to field first. Kandy had a good first half while batting but unfortunately lost their last 6 wickets for the addition of only 45 runs. Centurions from last week Sandun Weerakkody and Ahan Wickramasinghe continued their fine form to this week as the pair made half centuries. Weerakkody top scored with 76 for them and the young gun Wickramasinghe made 62. In the end from being 245 for 4, Kandy were bundled out for 290. Asanka Manoj was the pick of the bowlers for Galle taking 4 for 31 to go with Kavishka Anjula and skipper Ramesh Mendis who took 2 wickets each.
Galle lost their opening Hashan Dumindu for a duck but Sangeeth Cooray and Lakshan Edirisinghe made sure they reached stumps on day 1 without suffering anymore damage as the scoreline read 53 for 1. Galle will begin day 2, 237 runs behind with 9 wickets remaining in their first innings.
