Nalanda rely on seniors to deliver the goods

Chris Dhambarage

CRICKET: Nalanda College with an unbeaten record in the current season are hoping that their senior players would strike form when they take on their traditional rivals Ananda College in the 78th annual inter school Battle of the Maroons cricket encounter which will be worked off on March 24 and 25 at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds in Maitland Place.

The Nalandians of course will go into this important match at the back drop of some uncertainty as their star player and top scorer Lahiru Wickremasinghe has pulled out due to personal reasons. The prolific run getter has qualified to enter the University and his absence is certain to make a huge impact in the Nalanda outfit.

Wickremasinghe has been in tremendous form throughout the season where he accumulated over 650 runs including two centuries and two fifties. He has been the backbone of the Nalanda batting where he has maintained an excellent average of 36.39.

In the absence of Wickremasinghe the expectations will be on the Sri Lanka youth caps Ashan Priyanjana, Madawa Warnapura and Primosh Perera to deliver the goods. Priyanjana has performed his role quite successfully and has a tally of 418 runs from just eight matches including four half centuries.

The most important fact in Priyanjana’s batting effort has been his fantastic average where he has maintained an excellent 46.44 with a top score of 86. He has been able to get the maximum use from the limited opportunities this season and will be determined continue with the same form.

Madawa Warnapura of course have already completed five hundred runs for the current season and has the talent and the potential to make a big score.

He has proved this on more than a couple of occasions and his two centuries is a clear indication of his capabilities.

In addition Warnapura has one half century to his credit with a top score of 135 not out and his average is a splendid 42.15. Primosh Perera too has been among the runs this season scoring over five hundred runs including one half century and a career best knock of 127 not out.

The Nalanda College middle order comprise of two promising players Uthpala Kumara and Nipun Karunanayake. The former has a tally of 430 runs to his credit with two half centuries. He hit a top score of 97 and has maintained a good average of 30.71. Karunanayake has accumulated over 350 runs this season including two fifties.

The Nalanda College bowling will be in the hands their captain Milinda Weerasinghe who has captured 39 wickets with a best effort of five wickets for 41 runs. In addition Lahiru Aponso has claimed 32 wickets with a best performance of four wickets for 18 runs.

Amal Atapattu is another key bowler in their side having captured 34 wickets and has claimed five wickets or more in an innings twice.

The back up support will be provided by Madawa Warnapura who has 21 wickets to his credit with a best performance of five wickets for 35 runs. In the big match series Ananda has won 12 matches to Nalanda’s six with the rest ending in draws. Ananda last won in 2003 under Damindu Kularatne while Nalanda has not won since 1953.

The Nalanda College team: Milinda Weerasinghe (captain), Madhawa Warnapura, Ashan Priyanjana, Lahiru Aponso, Amal Atapattu, Premosh Perera, Mirko de Silva, Uthpala Bagya Kumara, Dilshan Munaweera, Namal Gunawardena, Nipun Karunaratne.