Nalanda face stiff opposition from Ananda bowlers

78th Battle of the Maroons:

Chris DHAMBARAGE

CRICKET: Ananda College with a penetrative bowling attack will have the edge when they take on their traditional rivals Nalanda College in the 78th annual inter school Battle of the Maroons Big Match which will be played today and tomorrow at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds, Maitland Place.

The Anandians despite having experienced mixed fortunes this season have played some positive cricket and their track record of four victories from their sixteen outings is a clear indication of their capabilities. This also includes a historic triumph against their archrivals Royal College.

In contrast the Nalandians have failed to make a real impact in the current season and their only high point was their victory against S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia. Their bowling certainly lack the penetration and will have a tough task in containing the opposition.

Nalanda’s other main concern will be the absence of their key player Lahiru Wickremasinghe who has pulled out from this important fixture having qualified to enter the university. This will no doubt be a major setback for the Nalandians who will be under tremendous pressure to put up good score in their first innings.

Even then the Ananda bowling attack look quite strong with skipper Malith Gunatilleke leading the way.

The left arm spinner has been in excellent form throughout the season and has always played a major role in their four victories against Royal College, St. Sebastian’s College Moratuwa, St. Benedict’s College and Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda.

Gunatilleke, a fourth year coloursman bats at number four and has also scored over 600 runs with a century against Richmond College Galle and has a rich haul of 91 wickets from their sixteen matches this season.

The Ananda College batting will revolve around their highest run getter in the line up is Udara Jayasundera who has amassed a total of over 750 runs including two hundreds and four half centuries.

He has been quite consistent throughout the season and has a top score of 107 and has maintained a good average of just under 40 runs.

The Nalandians of course will be heavily depending on their most senior players of the side to deliver the goods.

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 has 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.

In the big match series Ananda have 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 highest individual score in the series has been by Nalandian Shantha Kalavitigoda (149 n.o) in 1997 when he surpassed the 146 n.o. by Roshan Mahanama (Nalanda) in 1984. Thilina Kandamby struck 144 runs in 1999 to be the highest individual scorer for Ananda.

Yohan Gunasekera (Nalanda) had the best bowling analysis taking 8 for 32 in 1974 while the late P. W. Perera has the best bowling figures for Ananda (8 for 51) in 1940.

The teams:

Ananda College (from): Malith Gunatilleke (captain), Udara Jayasundera, Dinesh Chandimal, Prabodha Seneviratne, Vishwa Wijesuriya, Ranganath Wijetunga, Udara Pieris, Dilshan Silva, Ishara Wickremasinghe, Madumal Jayaratne, Matheesha Perera, Chamith Kularatne, Sameera Wijesuriya, Ruchira Herath.

Nalanda College (from): 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.

(Pix by Herbert Perera)