Ananda and Nalanda eager to end long chain of draws
Ananda: Kanishka Ranthilakage (captain),Saviru Bandara (vice captain), Kalana Wijesiri, Nethma Karunaratne, Vineth Premaratne, Hansaja Jayasinghe, Janidu Jayawardene, Shashika Umayanga, Deneth Nissanka, Isuru Ayesh, Adeesha Perera, Dasun Tharaka, Mahoshada Fernando, Anuda Jayaweera, Nushal Dharmaratne and Sonara Karunatunga Officials: Asanka Hettiarachchi (Head Coach), Chaminda Hathurusinghe (Asst. Coach), Jayasanka Unantenna (Master-in-Charge)
The 91st ‘Battle of the Maroons’ between Ananda College and Nalanda College will take place at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds March 8 and 9 for the N.M. Perera Memorial Trophy, followed by the annual Limited Over encounter on March 15. This year’s clash is of utmost importance as both schools are eager to go for a decision to end the long chain of drawn encounters.
The last time a decision came was in 2003 when Ananda under the leadership of D. Kularatne defeated Nalanda. On the other hand, Nalanda last tasted victory way back in 1953 under Wimalaratne Silva in the dramatic last run, last man and last ball match.
Ananda leads the series tally with 12 wins while Nalanda were victorious on six occasions with 72 matches ending in draws. The inaugural Battle of the Maroons was played in 1924 with A.P. Rajakaruna and B.S. Perera leading the Ananda and Nalanda teams respectively. The match was not played in 1943, 1944 and 1945 due to the World War and again due to Independence celebrations in 1948.
Ananda under the leadership of Kanishka Ranthilakage take the field on this big occasion having enjoyed a fair season with three first innings wins out of eight matches and three defeats in the Schools tournament. They recorded three first innings wins in the 12 traditional matches played. An average allround side with three coloursmen, Ananda’s batting strength lies on the shoulders of Nethma Karunaratne (503 runs including a century), skipper Ranthilakage (600 from 14 matches) while Janidu Jayawardene has made a contribution of 538 runs in 14 matches.
Nalanda: Avishka Perera (captain), Raveen de Silva (vice captain), Chamindu Wijesinghe, Mahima Weerakoon, Ranidu de Silva, Jithesh Wasala, Dineth Samaraweera, Moksha Sankalpa, Chamodya Rajapaksa, Lakshan Mayadunne, Rashan Dissanayake, Chamal Athukorala, Anuda Jithwara, Thamindu Kamalasooriya, Nikil Abeygunasekera and Vihanga Vimanga Officials: Shanuka Dissanayake (Head Coach), Ruwan Dissanayake (Asst. Coach), Saman Hettiarachchi (Master-in-Charge)
Skipper Ranthilakage relies much on his spin combination. Fifteen-year-old Isuru Ayesh, a left arm orthodox spinner, has captured 53 wickets with three five-wicket hauls. Right arm off spinner Saviru Bandara with 32 wickets along with right arm leg spinner Janidu Jayawardene have made a huge contribution to Ananda’s limited successes. The three pacies in the side are Shashika Umayanga, Deneth Nissanka and Dasun Tharaka.
The high riding Nalandians led by Sri Lanka Youth cap Avishka Perera maintained an unblemished record in the tournament matches, winning all eight matches. In the traditional nine clashes, Nalanda won eight matches with the only black spot being their defeat at the hands of Trinity College in the ‘Sanga-Mahela’ Trophy.
Nalanda field a fine allround outfit with three Sri Lanka Junior caps and eight coloursmen. The batting department is led by skipper Avishka Perera, who became the first batsman in the school’s history to record two consecutive thousand runs in 2019 and 2020. His thousand runs this year includes four centuries against Dharmapala (117), S. Thomas’, Mt. Lavinia (104), Mahinda (114) and St. Sebastian’s (117). A dashing opener, the hallmark of his batting is getting into his stride early in the innings.
Ravin de Silva (600) and Mahima Weerakoon (550) are the other leading batsmen responsible for building tall totals. Paceman Chamindu Wijesinghe, who missed many matches due to national duty along with Dineth Samaraweera (35 wickets) and Jithesh Wasala (25) are three pacers who always get the vital breakthrough for the spinners to take over.
The spin department is manned by Ravin de Silva, a right arm leg spinner (35), left arm orthodox Chamodya Rajapaksa (35) and Mahima Weerakoon, the off spinner with over 30 wickets.
Nalanda look to hold the upper hand but the gritty Anandians have always risen to the occasion many times to stop their rivals from dominating the game when they inch towards victory.
| Records at stake: | |
Ananda – Thilina Kandamby 144 (1999)
Ananda – P.D.H. De Silva 10 for 36 (1930) |