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| Tuesday, 9 March 2004 |
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Serasinghe's ton saves Nalanda from defeat by Dinesh Weerawansa A brave unbeaten century by opener Sachitra Serasinghe helped Nalanda to hold Ananda to a creditable draw in their 75th annual Battle of the Maroons cricket encounter which ended at SSC grounds, Maitland Place yesterday. It was Serasinghe's century which pulled Nalanda out from the jaws of defeat as they were forced to follow on, 145 runs behind on the first innings. In reply to Ananda's first innings total of 254 for 6 declared, Nalanda opened day two at their overnight total of 79 for 5. The overnight duo of skipper Madura Warnapura (38) and Gihan Rupasinghe (31) went on to complete a valuable 68 run partnership for the sixth wicket after the early shocks they had at 23 for 5 on the opening day. But Ananda's two opening fast bowlers Chrith Jayaweera and Arjuna Ranawaka continued from where they left and went on to display some fine form with the ball. Then disaster struck the Nalanda camp with their total at 91 last morning and since then, Jayaweera and Ranawaka took no time in running through their opponents' batting. The duo shared five wickets each in two penetrative spells. The last five Nalanda wickets produced just 18 runs which speaks the volumes of control the two Ananda quick bowlers had. Ananda captain Thilina Kumarasinghe rightly asked Nalanda to follow on as the Campbell Place school were trailing by 145 runs on the first innings. More salt was added to Nalanda's wounds when they lost opener Yohan de Silva, trapped leg before by Ranawaka for nine with Nalanda second innings total reading at 22 for one. At lunch, Nalanda were 43 for one in their second essay. Nalanda had to make 124 runs with only nine second innings wickets in hand to avert innings defeat or survive until the end of the final day. It was then when one drop bat Sakura Wijetunga walked in to join opener Serasinghe. The left and right hand combination then took up the challenge. Serasinghe and Wijetunga first had a good measure of Ananda bowling and once that was done, they were in full cry in a match saving second wicket alliance of 148 runs. Their partnership could well be a record for Nalanda but unfortunately, no official records were available for confirmation. Nalanda did not lose a single wicket in scoring 105 runs in the post-lunch session which brought frustration to Ananda bowlers, including the two fast bowlers who had total control in the first innings. At tea, Nalanda were 148 for 1 with Serasinghe on 68 not out and Wijesinghe on 61 not out. With the total of 170, Wijetunga departed for a very well made 69, caught by behind by Chatura Herath off Achela Ranasinghe, but by then, the duo have put Nalanda on to the safe path. Tharindu Attanayake sacrificed his wicket in a mishap with their saviour Serasinghe. Serasinghe went on to complete his well-deserved century with a cheeky single and was unbeaten on 103 at the end, when Nalanda were 219 for 3. |
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