Batsmen make merry on rain-free day

TEST stars Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, and Himasha Liyanage thumped centuries on a rain-free second day of the SLC Major Club 3-Day tournament to place their respective clubs in a strong position.

- By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Dinesh Chandimal Dhananjaya de Silva Pasindu Sooriyabandara

Chandimal struck his 36th first-class century as Colts ended the day on 329-8, a lead of 97 runs against Chilaw Marians CC, at the P. Sara Oval.

Chandimal’s superb knock of 152 off 176 balls was studded with 9 fours and 4 sixes, and along with Shalin de Mel’s 76 (94 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes), Colts batted themselves into a position of strength. Earlier, seamer Harshana Wickramasinghe — career-best 4/44 — and spinner Akila Dananjaya (3/77) bowled Chilaw Marians CC out for 232, where only Lasith Lakshan (52 off 62 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes) and Kalhara Senarathne (59 off 106 balls, 5 fours) made any noteworthy contributions with the bat.

Sri Lanka Test Captain Dhananjaya de Silva led the way for CCC with his 28th first-class hundred, as they reached an imposing 452-9 declared against Nugegoda SWC at the SSC Grounds.