Spinner Nishan puts Galle back in contention

By M. Shamil Amit

Kandy took a close first innings lead over Galle on day three of the SLC four-day National Super League (NSL) Cricket Tournament final played at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy yesterday.
But the game is wide open as right-arm spinner Nishan Peiris - with a five wicket haul - has put Galle back in the game.
Nishan’s five-wicket haul saw Kandy batting the second time struggling at 97 for five at one stage despite useful knocks coming from Raveen Yasas. 
However, Pulina Tharanga and Ravindu Ratnayake rescued Kandy as the pair put in some resistance with a 51-run stand for the sixth wicket. 
Kandy lost their remaining five wickets for the addition of just 15 runs and were bowled out for 163 - which gave them an overall lead of 175 runs.
Earlier, Galle resuming from their overnight score of 247 for eight were restricted for 304 runs to give Kandy a slender 14-run lead. 
Skipper Ramesh Mendis who was unbeaten on 79 made a dogged innings of 111 in 157 balls that included 10 boundaries.
Galle are now left with a victory target of 176 runs and it’s left to be seen whether the Kandy bowlers would be able to deny them from achieving it.
Chief scores
Kandy: 316 and 163 (Raveen Yasas 45, Pulina Tharanga 43, Ravindu Ratnayake 27, Sithara Gimhan 21, Nishan Peiris 5/42, Praveen Jayawickrama 2/35, Ramesh Mendis 2/38)
Galle (247/8 overnight): 304 (Ramesh Mendis 111, Dhananjaya Lakshan 47, Shehan Fernando 33, Sithum Dissanayake 3/50, Nimsara Atharaglla 3/66, Lasith Embuldeniya 3/79).