Skipper Isuru Waduge with an impressive five wicket haul and batting opener Dananjaya Madusanka with a valuable 40 runs helped Kalutara MV take a firm grip as they put on 116 for four after restricting archrivals Tissa Central for 153 runs on the first day of the 50th Battle of the Mangosteens, which commenced at Public Ground, Kalutara on Friday (2).

Skipper Waduge putting the opposition to bat had their top order rattled for just 89 runs. With medium paceman Chathura Damith striking twice and spinner Savith Priyan, Dananjaya Madusanka and Waduge picking up a wicket apiece putting Tissa Central in deep trouble.

Only Asanka Gihan managed to show any fight scoring 30 runs. His patient knock came in 80 balls and included five boundaries.

With their backs to the wall, Tissa had Kaveen Tharindu striking a brisk 33 runs inclusive of three fours and two sixes and Gayan Indika contributing with a valuable 21 runs to top 150 runs.

Paceman Isuru Waduge cleared the tail to complete a five wicket haul for 53 runs.

In reply, Kalutara MV who commenced their first innings after a light shower lost their first wicket for 15 runs as Tissa Central’s captain Dinesh Chathuranga, who had taken 100 wickets this season, had Isuru Dharshana leg before wicket for 6 runs. But spinner Chathuranga couldn’t continue his good form as Dananjaya Madusanka with a valuable 40 runs helped Kalutara MV to a firm position.

Madusanka faced 84 balls and scored seven fours in his 40 runs.

Pacemen Harsha Sampath and Malith Chathuranga and leg-spinner Asanka Gihan picked up a wicket apiece. When stumps were drawn, Kalutara Vidyalaya had scored 116 for four with 23 overs to go in their first innings. The first innings of each team in restricted to 60 overs.

N. Gayashan c Waduge b Priyan 17

S. Mayura c Uthpala b Damith 02

S. Nayanajith c Uthpala b Damith 01

A. Gihan c Mithun b Madusanka 31

D. Chathuranga c Fernando b Waduge 02

S. Chamara run out 08

K. Tharindu c Damith b Waduge 33

M. Chathuranga c Uthpala b Waduge 08

G. Indika c Pathirana b Waduge 21

H. Sampath c Fernando b Waduge 15

J. Chamika not out 00

Extras: (1lb, 4w, 10n) 15

Overs: 56

Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-19, 3-47, 4-66, 5-70, 6-89, 7-110, 8-120, 9-149

Bowling: Waduge 14-1-53-5(3w, 7n), Fernando 10-6-13-1, Damith 14-5-26-2(1n), Mithun 3-0-10-0(2n), Pathirana 1-0-1-0, Priyan 11-2-38-1, Shashimal 1-0-2-0(1n), Madusanka 2-0-9-1

I. Dharshana lbw D.Chathuranga 06

D. Madusanka c Indika b Chathuranga 40

I. Shashimal c D. Chathuranga b Gihan 21

I. Waduge not out 32

G. Fernando c Gihan b Sampath 07

T. Uthpala not out 05

Extras: (3w, 2n) 05

Overs: 37

Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-47, 3-81, 4-101.

Bowling: Tharindu 5-0-14-0, D. Chathuranga 8-2-35-1, Sampath 6-2-14-1(3w), Gihan 6-1-19-1(1n), M. Chathuranga 11-2-27-1(1n), Mayura 1-0-6-0