Ananda- Nalanda 90 not out
On 2nd March 2019, the Cricketers of two of Sri Lanka’s premier educational institutions will walk in to the middle of Colombo’s leading cricket ground for the 90th time. Hey.. it is the ‘Battle of the Maroons’, once again! During the two days the City of Colombo will witness the glamour of Maroon and Gold and Maroon and Silver colours. The ambience of the ground and the electric atmosphere it presents will enthral any spectator, old boy, parent and student. The Battle of the Maroons is said to have the highest number of ‘Papare’ bands. The raucous rhythms of these bands, make everyone at the grounds dance.
The first big match was played at Campbell Place (Present Nalanda Grounds, shared by both schools that time) in 1925, the same year Nalanda was born. It continued at this venue for a few years. With the increasing number of spectators, authorities decided to move it to the Colombo Oval. Nalanda recorded their last Victory in 1953 off the last ball of the match. Many Nalandians including my uncle Colvin Karunaratne who witnessed this victory off the last ball would have echoed Henry Newbolt’s poem “Play up Play up Play the Game’. Since then Nalandians have not been able to witness a Nalanda victory. This writer sincerely hopes that this being the 90th battle, the Nalanda captain will reward his supporters with a much deserved big match win!
The Big Match was played at the Kettarama International Stadium from 1986 to 1996. A decision was taken in 1997 to shift the big match to a different venue; many old boys from both Ananda and Nalanda were involved in convincing the authorities in doing so, the writer being one, representing Nalanda Junior OBA as its President at that time.
Battle of the Maroons
comes to SSC
The 68th Battle was played at the SSC. Crowd participation improved. Things started changing at this great venue, old boys came in numbers. The old boys of these premier institutions came together and formed a committee to organise this grand encounter in 2008. Web site (www.battleofthemaroons.lk) was dedicated to the Battle of the Maroons. Hats off! to the joint committee for adding colour and glamour to this great encounter.
Nostalgia
First- In 1968, I was a Grade 3 student watching the big match with my brother and my father who was a great fan of cricket. Suddenly Nalanda flags went up and I saw a tiny player holding his hand right up at the boundary line. It was the dismissal of Sunil Wettimuny for a well-made 96. It was 16 year old Leslie Narangoda who held that powerful pull over midwicket leaning backwards when the ball was in the air and over the boundary line.
Second – In 1975, Anura Ranasinghe, The Nalanda and Sri Lanka Schools Captain, National player was playing in his last big match. Despite doctor’s advice Anura came straight from the hospital to the oval grounds and broke a 22-year-old bowling record on the first day. On the second day he was well on course to the batting record massacring the Ananda attack. He pulled one powerfully, but the ball never reached the boundary alas! He was well caught by Kushil Gunaskera. The next day a sports page of a weekend paper head lined ‘sporty Anura Ranasinghe clapped all the way to the pavilion’. That was the sportsmanship of Anura Ranasinghe – my hero in cricket.
Third – In 1980, Arjuna Ranatunga the gifted left handed batting prodigy of Ananda, collected runs with ease, giving every Nalandian bowler a headache and was aiming for the batting record. It was a matter of another half an hour for Arjuna to break the record. He was on 75 when he pulled one on the leg side. It was a powerful Arjuna Ranatunga stroke. Gihan Weerasinghe caught him superbly on the leg side, thus saving the batting record of Prassanna Amarasinghe.
Reminiscences of 49th
and 50th encounters
49th Battle
Nalanda had a star studded side in 1978 compared to Ananda. Nalanda captained by Susantha Karunaratne – a ferocious paceman, deputised by Aruna Ranasinghe – a stylish Sri Lanka Schools middle order batsman, fresh from playing against the mighty Australians. Hemantha Devapriya Sri Lanka Schools’ best wicketkeeper and Ananda captained by Gihan Karunaratne, had Prassanna Amarasinghe and Brendon Kuruppu and many good young players. Much to the surprise of every one, Nalanda bowling was opened by the wicketkeeper Hemantha Devapriya while Keerthi Ranasinghe kept wickets. Anandians took full advantage of this and Prassanna Amarasinghe broke the batting record held by Bandula Warnapura. Hemantha donned his gloves and Prassanna was caught by him off an off spin delivery of Aruna Ranasinghe at 126. Aruna Ranasinghe went on to take 5 for 78 and ink his name in the bowling records.
50th battle – The Golden
Jubilee encounter
It was more of a carnival than a game of cricket for schoolboys of both schools. Ananda was led by the stylish Thilan Wijesinghe and Nalanda was led by handsome Upul Gamage – a heart throb of many girls that time. Ananda had players in the calibre of Rohitha Perera, Arjuna Ranatunga, Brendon Kuruppu, Charith Senanayake. Nalanda team comprised Shammi Silva, Bandula de Silva, Sanath Kaluperuma, Keerthi Ranasinghe. The match became yet another boring affair except for one incident where the Nalanda captain from whom much was expected, having already completed 1000 runs during the season, skied the first ball he faced and offered Ananda his prized wicket for a duck.
90 years is a long journey. Playing the game and maintaining the spirit of the game at the highest level is certainly an achievement for both these schools. This encounter has rich traditions, hoodoos will be broken, both schools will ensure fair play and the Battle of the Maroons will continue to build comradeship. The game of cricket played by these schools will maintain the niceties and good cricketing etiquette at all times. Let’s have two days of positive play!!!