Anura Ranasinghe memorial cup:

Arjuna rolls back the years

SRI LANKA'S World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatugna rolled back the years to score an undefeated half-century and guide his alma mater Ananda College to a five-wicket victory over traditional rivals Nalanda College in the day-night cricket encounter played in memory of Nalanda and Sri Lanka cricketer Anura Ranasinghe at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.

By virtue of their win Anannda became the first holders of the Anura Ranasinghe memorial Cup.

The match was organised by Nalanda Junior Old Boys Association and Past Cricketers Associations of Ananda and Nalanda.

Ranatunga's knock of 58 not out off 54 balls (8 fours) overshadowed Mahela Jayawardene's fine century for Nalanda.

After choosing to bat first on winning the toss, Nalanda lost their first four wickets for 42 runs before Jayawardene rescued them with a 92-ball century (109) which was the cornerstone of Nalanda's total of 208 off 39.4 overs. He hit four sixes and nine fours and no other batsmen made more than 23.

Ananda began their run chase in disastrous fashion when openers Chandika Hathurusingha and Sidath Wettimuny were both run out with the total on 15, but Ranatunga as he has done on many occasions during his heyday for his country took upon the responsibilities to guide his team to victory with 4.1 overs to spare.

He had useful support from present national cricketers Tilan Samaaraweera (43) and Mavan Atapattu (26). Extras contributed to 33 of which 25 were wides. Ranatunga picked up the man of the match award for his contribution of 58 not out and two wickets for 20 runs.

Nalanda 208 in 39.4 overs (M. Jayawardene 109, K. Ranasinghe 23, K. Dharmasena 22, A. Ganegama 2 for 29, C. Hathurusingha 2 for 20, A. Ranatunga 2 for 20, T. Samaraweera 2 for 51)

Ananda 211-5 in 35.5 overs (T. Wijesinghe 23, T. Samaraweera 43, A. Ranatunga 58 n.o., M. Atapattu 26).