The first day of the National Super League 2023 kicked off yesterday (19) in Colombo. Team Colombo took on Kandy, while Dambulla faced team Galle in their first-round games. 

The clash between Kandy and Colombo took place at the SSC Cricket Grounds. Colombo won the toss and elected to bat first. The batters struggled to get going as they were reduced to six for 85 by the 29th over. Of the top six batters, only Roshane Silva crossed the 20-run mark, as Avishka Fernando, Nuwanidu Fernando, and Skipper Nipun Dhananjaya all struggled to make an impact. 

Thanks to a late surge from Nisala Tharaka and Prabath Jayasuriya, Colombo managed to post 214 runs for their first innings. Jayasuriya top-scored with 51 runs, while Tharaka chipped in with 38. With the ball in hand, Lasith Embuldeniya, who was overlooked for the national team, was the chief destroyer, taking five for 60, while Nimasara Atharagala chipped in with four for 62. 

At stumps on day 1, Kandy were cruising at 96 for two in their first innings in just 20 overs. 

In the game between Galle and Dambulla, which worked off at the R. Premadasa Stadium, team Galle took the upper hand at stumps on day 1. After winning the toss and batting first, Dambulla were bundled out for just 155 runs. Seamer Kavishka Anjula ran through Dambulla’s top order, taking five for 23 in 13 overs. There were a couple of cameos for Dambulla, but only opening batter Nimesh Gunasinghe crossed the 30-run mark. In response, Galle recorded 90 for three in 29 overs in their first innings. 

Brief scores

Colombo vs. Kandy 

Colombo 214 all out (64.5)

Prabath Jayasuriya 51, Nisala Tharaka 38, Roshane Silva 21; Lasith Embuldeniya 5/60, Nimsara Atharagala 4/60

Kandy 96 for 2 (20)

Oshada Fernando 32*, Sandun Weerakkody 30*, Lasith Croospulle 29 

Galle vs. Dambulla 

Dambulla 155 all out (48.5)

Nimesh Gunasinghe 31, Dilan Jayalath 27; Kavishka Anjula 5/23, Asanka Manoj 2/35

Galle 90 for 3 (29)

Hashan Dumndu 37, Angelo Mathews 22*