Nalandian Ananda De Zoysa's boundary of the century

Premasara Epasinghe

As this year's "Battle of the Maroons" - Ananda-Nalanda Big Match is round the corner, my mind goes back to the year 1953. I was a student of Nalanda, in Grade 7. I walked along the old Serpentine Road, Wanathamulla to Colombo Oval, to witness the match.

The festive mood filled the atmosphere. There were many Maroon and Gold, Maroon and Silver flags fluttering in the air. There was friendly rivalry. I joined my classmates in the Nalanda Boys Tent near the Majestic Oval scoreboard. The date was 2nd Friday, March 1953. Skippers - Henry Seneviratne (Ananda) and W W Silva (Nalanda) walked to the centre for the toss. There was cheering all over the ground.

Probably at that time, no one ever dreamt that this Big-Match will turn out to be the most thrilling match ever played in the series. I was fortunate to be there.

In the first innings Ananda scored 258. The Ananda openers were U Tissa Vitarana, (the highly respected senior Minister LSSP Leader/MP) and U D Wariyapperuma. They batted for 34 minutes scored 43 runs for the first wicket. Nalanda drew first blood when Tissa Vitarana (23) mis-judged a delivery, knocked his off-stump. The bowler was W W Silva. U D Wariyapperuma, scored a patient 88 in 187, when Nalanda skipper Wimalaratne Silva, uprooted his stump. Nalanda skipper Silva, returned the best figures 29-9-54-4.

Nalanda scored 195 in 6 hours and 40 minutes. Nalanda top scorer was charming handsome majestic personality and brilliant bat Amarasiri Gunasena. He scored a brilliant 42 and kept Nalanda spirits high. Amarasiri, later played for NCC. For Ananda De S Weerasuriya bowled best 3 for 37 in 25 overs.

On the 2nd day, Ananda declared their innings at 97 for 6 wickets after batting for 120 minutes. This was a challenging sporting declaration.

The positive approach of Ananda skipper made this match really interesting and thrilling. All credit should so to Ananda. Of course, we Nalandians took the challenge in the true spirit.

Nalanda victory target was 160 in 140 minutes. Chandra Mendis (Highly respected retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, who was an ornament to the Police. This former DIG is a role model for all Police officers) scored 21 and 10 respected and Niel Seneviratne 17 and 22 respectively gave reasonable starts. Chandra Mendis, that classy keeper batsman scored, after a mix-up, he got run-out. These two put on 34 runs. Later, Nalanda wickets tumbled - 37, 62, 92, 130, 147, 154, 156. Now its anybody game. It was like an Alfred Hitchcock thriller.

Nalanda's Gamini Seneviratne who scored 34 in the first innings gave a difficult catch to Tissa Vitarana off the bowling of Noel Perera.

Ananda De Zoysa (who passed away in 2012. Unfortunately, I was in Scotland at my daughter's place and I could not pay my last respects to him) walked in as the "Last Man" in the last over - 1 run to equal, 2 runs for a Nalanda victory. G P De Silva the pace bowler who returned the best innings 14.4-0-61-4, steamed in with his rhythmic style. Tuton De Silva 2 not out. Anandian, De Silva sent the fifth ball - an out swinger. Ananda De Zoysa, the "Last Man" hammered the ball through covers for a boundary. This was the Boundary of the entire series.

Thank you Ananda, you were the Great Hero, who brought the last victory for Nalanda in 1953.

This encounter motivated me to play cricket for Nalanda. My hero was wicket keeper Chandra Mendis. Following the footsteps of that brilliant opener cum wicket keeper, Chandra Mendis, through hard work commitment and practise I achieved my dream in 1957, when I wore the Maroon and Silver cap, opened batting and kept wickets for my school Nalanda. After obtaining my Degree from the university, I joined the staff of Nalanda, and was the Master-in-Charge of Cricket and Prefect of Games in 1968/1969.

I wish both Teams Good Luck. Be positive in your approach. It does not matter who wins or who loses. Cricket should be the ultimate winner.