By M. Shamil Amit

The first day’s play of the four-day National Super League final encounter between Dambulla and Galle played at the Galle International Stadium on Thursday turned out to be all about the bowlers as 14 wickets fell for 274 runs.  

First it was left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage who ruled the morning session of play after Dambulla were invited to take first lease of the wicket. He ended with a five-wicket haul to restrict the strong batting side to 248 runs. Right-arm spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Ashan Priyanjan combined with effect to have the Galle side reeling on 26 for 4 from the ten overs they batted.  

Dambulla’s innings had an inauspicious start as they lost their first wicket with nine runs on the board before Abishek Liyanaarachchi who made a top score of 58 in 75 balls inclusive of seven boundaries and a six joined by Pavan Ratnayake associated in a 77-run stand for the second wicket before they lost two quick wickets for the addition of two runs and slid to 86 for 3.  

Skipper Minod Bhanuka who made a half ton with eight boundaries came to the rescue of the side as he along with Sanoj Dharshika put on a valuable 78 runs for the fourth wicket.  

But the late order batting failed to make any impression and in the process they lost wickets at regular intervals -- from 166 for 5 they lost their remaining five wickets for the addition of just 82 runs.  

Galle in their turn underwent the same fate losing their first wicket with nine on the board before Hasaranga bagged two quick wickets to have them struggling on 17 for 3. Priyanjan added salt to the wound with another wicket for Galle to end in a bad position of 26 for 4.

At Galle
Dambulla 248 (Abishek Liyanaarchchi 54, Minod Bhanuka 50, Sanoj Dharshika 37, Pavan Ratnayake 31, Wanindu Hasaranga 15, Chamindu Wijesinghe 15, Hemantha 27 n.o.: Dunith Wellalage 5 for 58, Kavisha Anjula 2 for 38)  
Galle 26 for 4 (Wanindu Hasaranga 2 for 13)  

Main photo: Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage took 5 for 58 as Dambulla were restricted to 248, before Galle lost four wickets for 26 by stumps on day one