Ananda out to regain Dr. N. M. Perera Trophy

Chris DHAMBARAGE

CRICKET: Ananda College will be hoping to regain the Dr. N. M. Perera memorial trophy after a lapse of four years when they take on their traditional rivals Nalanda College in their 33rd annual Battle of the Maroons limited overs cricket fixture at the SSC grounds in Maitland Place today.

The Anandians have not had any success in the series during the recent past and their last win against Nalanda College was recorded in 2003. Nalanda College have dominated the limited over series and they are now in contention of retaining the trophy for the fourth successive year.

But the odds are in favour of Ananda College who will be fielding a good all round side spearheaded by Malith Gunatilleke.

The left arm spinner in fact is in tremendous form having returned amazing figures of six wickets for ten runs in their knock out tournament pre quarterfinal match against D. S. Senanayake College two days ago.

In contrast the Nalandians will go into this important match at the backdrop of some uncertainty having suffered a shock defeat at the hands of St. Anthony’s College in a pre quarterfinal match of the knock out tournament.

The only consolation for the Nalandians will be their outstanding performance in the Big Match last week at the same venue where they forced a creditable draw despite going in as the underdogs.

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

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 Anandians lead the limited overs series with seventeen victories to their credit against their opponents eleven wins with three no decisions.

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.