Ananda were 72 for the loss of two wickets in reply to Nalanda’s first innings score of 252-9 declared at stumps on the first day in the 83rd annual Battle of the Maroons played at the SSC ground in Colombo today (3).
Put into bat first, Nalanda made steady progress before declaring their innings at 252 for the loss of 9 wickets with Lahiru Jayakody top scoring 96.
Middle-order batsman Jayakody missed a well deserved century falling four runs short of the milestone.
Nalanda got into trouble when they lost early wickets but knocks from skipper Koshan Dhanushka (31) and Ishan Rangana (40) steadied them before Jayakody struck into form.
Jayakody was well supported by Pramodh Hettiwatte who made a patient 29.
Ananda skipper and off-spinner Pasindu Madushan came in late to claim three wickets after paceman Venuka Ashan took three early scalps.
Nalanda 252 for 9 wkts declared (73.2) (Manula Jayasekara 28, Koshan Danushka 31, Ishan Rangana 40, Lahiru Jayakody 96, Pramodh Hettiwatte 29, Pasindu Madushan 3/59, Venuka Ashan 3/70, Sisuru Samarasinghe 2/23)
Ananda 72 for 2 wkts (21) at close (Danuka Madushan 37 n.o.)
