Thurstan Spinners Dominate as Isipathana Fold for 159 on Day 1

Opting to bat first, Isipathana made a steady start with openers Navindu Umeth and Tharun Perera putting on 71 runs for the first wicket. Tharun Perera top-scored with 43 off 78 balls, including four boundaries and a six, before falling just before lunch to leg-spinner Nithish Kamalasooriya. Navindu Umeth, who also made 43 off 113 deliveries with six fours, was dismissed soon after the break by off-spinner Sethru Fernando.

Following the solid opening stand, Isipathana struggled to build momentum as Thurstan’s spin quartet tightened the grip. Captain Maleesha Sandaruwan contributed 26, while Dimuthu Tharaka (14) and Menula Dambakumbura (15) chipped in with modest scores, but regular wickets prevented a competitive total.

Thurstan’s bowling was spearheaded by off-spinners Thanuga Palihawadana, who claimed 3 for 51, and Sethru Fernando, who picked up 3 for 32. They were well supported by leg-spinners Kamalasooriya and Savindu Dissanayake, who shared four wickets between them.

In reply, Thurstan endured an early setback when opener Nithish Kamalasooriya was run out for 12 in just the second over. Aken de Alwis followed soon after for 8, dismissed by paceman Yesindu Maneesha, leaving Thurstan in early trouble.

However, Yohan Senanayake (6 not out) and Hirushan Dias (10 not out) steadied the innings with an unbroken 17-run stand for the third wicket before bad light brought an early close to play.

At stumps on Day 1, Thurstan were 39 for 2, still trailing by 120 runs with eight wickets in hand.

Pic Credit – Daily News