Jaffna are in a strong strong position needing a further 67 runs for an outright victory to enter the final after the third day's play against Colombo in their National Super League four-day semi final at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota yesterday.
Saminda Fernando was the Jaffna hero with a superb knock of 123 while paceman Nipun Malinga the number 11 batter made his career best knock of 80 in 85 balls with six fours and six sixes in a fighting 135 runs stand for the ninth wicket with Saminda Fernando to take a first innings lead over Colombo .
At Hambantota
Colombo 272 and 158 (Kusal Mendis 39,Promod Maduwantha 54 n.o, Dhananjaya de Silva 2/55, Dilum Sudeera 3/35, Jeffrey Vandasay 2/22)
Jaffna 339 (Saminda Fernando 123, Nipun Malinga 80 ,Kavika Dilshan 6/124, Nalin Priyadharshana 2/68) and 25 for no loss
At Pallekele
Kandy 458 (Lahiru Udara 87,Dilshan Madushanka 2/ 83, Akila Dananjaya 2/85, Dhananjaya Lakshan 2/57, Suminda Lakshan 3/65)
Galle 147 for 1 wicket (Sangeeth Cooray 44, Pabasara Waduge 68 n.o, Hashan Dumindu 24 n.o)