Thushara helps Ananda triumph

Anuradha Abeysekara

Thushara Samarakoon scored a sparkling century for Ananda College as they walked away with the P de S Kularatne Challenge Trophy recording a 75-run win over their traditional rivals Nalanda College in the 37th annual Limited Over encounter which was worked off at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds yesterday.

The Nalandian pacemen Sineth Gunawardane and Rangana Cooray in a fiery opening spell removed top four Ananda batsmen during the first 10 overs, claiming two wickets each. Anandians were struggling at 25 for 4 when Thushara came into the crease and put a valuable 97-run stand for the fifth wicket in 138 deliveries with Ruvinda Shamen. Ruvinda also made a superb 58 in 81 balls including six boundaries to consolidate the innings.

After Ruvinda’s dismissal in the 32nd over Ushan Gunathileka and Thushara belted 84 runs in 82 deliveries for the seventh wicket partnership.

Thushara’s ton consisted of six fours and he batted till the last ball of the innings and won the Best Batsman award. Ananda scored 229/8 in 50 overs.

In contrast only Nalanda batting resistance was Sineth Gunawardane who scored 66 in 153 balls. Ananda bowlers made inroads into the Nalanda batting line up by bowling to the field and taking wickets constantly. Except for the 92-run third wicket partnership between Sineth and Ishan Rangana there were no big partnerships in the Nalanda innings. They were all out in the 44th over for 154. Venuka Ashan and Sachithra Perera (Ananda) took two wickets each. Sineth was adjudged as the Man of the Match for his all round display (66 runs and 3/36) while Anandian Pasindu Madushan was picked as the best bowler (3/31). Thamala Abeygunasekara was chosen as the best fielder.

ANANDA COLLEGE INNINGS

Danuka Madushan ct Ishan b Cooray		 03
Geshan Wimaladarma bowled Sineth 		 00
Rasith Jayarathna ct  Prashan b Sineth 		 00
Pasindu Madushan LBW b Cooray			 05
Ruvinda Shamen ct Pubudu b Nikila 		 58
Thushara Samarakoon ct K Dhanushka b Sineth	100
Ushan Gunathilake Bowled Malinda		 39
Panduka Paranamanage run out			 06
Sachinthra Perera not out			 00

Extras (nb 1, wb 17)				 18
Total (for 8 wickets in 50 overs)		229

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-4, 3-9, 4-25, 5-122, 6-206, 7-299, 8/229.
Bowling: Sineth Gunawardana 9-0-36-3, Rangana Cooray, 10-0-32-2 Malinda Vimukthi 4-1-21, 
Lahiru Jayakody, 5-0-22-0, Koshan Dhanushka, 7-0-43-0 Pubudu Nuwan, 10-0-41-0,Nikila Weerasinghe,5-0-34-1. 

NALANDA COLLEGE INNINGS

Charith Kumarasinghe ct Danuka, b Venuka	 02
Prashan Wickramasinghe LBW, b Venuka		 01
Sineth Gunawardana b Pasindu			 66
Ishan Rangana b Pasindu				 34
Koshan Danushka ct Thamala, b Pasindu		 10
Lahiru Jayakody LBW, b Sachithra		 06
Pubudu Nuwan b Panduka				 09
Gayan Hedawatte run out				 06
Malinda Vimukthi ct Thushara, b Sachithra	 03
Rangana Cooray b Ruvinda			 02
Nikila Weerasinghe not out			 01

Extras (lb 4, wb 10)				 14
Total (all out in 44.4 overs)			154
Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-11, 3-103, 4-117, 5-122, 6-124, 7-144, 8-145, 9-152, 10-154.
Bowling:Ravinda Shamen 6.4-0-14-1, Venuka Ashan 6-0-22-2, Thamala Abeygunasekara 6-0-25-0,
 Sachithra Perera 8-0-21-2 Pasindu Madushan 10-1-31-3, Panduka Paranamannage 8-0-37-1.