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The battle of the Maroons celebrate their 75th anniversary encounter
Ananda go out favourites
By Bernie Wijesekera
Ananda and Nalanda who have been in the frontline in the willow wielding sport will be celebrating their 75th anniversary encounter on Sunday March 7 and Monday 8 at the SSC grounds.

Ananda led by Thilina Kumarasinghe, has enjoyed a successful season with four outright wins. They knocked the daylights out of St. Peter's, St. Anthony's Katugastota, Dharmapala and Mahinda College, Galle, but lost two games on the first innings to Prince of Wales and St. Sebastians. They are lying second in the table to Lumbini M.V. Kumarasinghe has been a prolific run-getter with over 780 runs to his credit with a top score of 113 against St. Peter's.

Mahela Udawatte batting at No. 3 has 688 runs. He has a "ton" against Dharmapala, 174. Openers Pradeep Boteju and Amal Athulathmudali, J. Sriyapala, a middle-order batsman-153 n.o. Against Maliyadeva all rounder Rajitha Wimaladharma-a wily off-spinner- has been among the wickets. Left-arm leg-spinner Achela Ranasinghe has reaped a rich harvest 67 wkts and has baffled the opposing batsmen. He has a match winning bag of 9 for 71 against St. Anthony's.

The pace attack has much fire with Charit Jayaweera and Anjana Ranawake. The fielding is good. Ananda coached for 36th year by Anuruddha Polonnowita tilt the scales in their favour. Polonnowita said, last year Ananda won, but Nalanda is no-pushover side. They have a young side. Past records are not the answer. But on their day the boys have to perform. It's going to be two days of exciting cricket.

Youth and experience
Nalanda will be led by Madura Warnapura who has shown up well with four outright wins to their credit - against Sri Sumangala, Thurstan, Mahinda and Dharmasoka. But they suffered outright defeats to Prince of Wales, St. Peter's and St. Sebastian's Moratuwa. The Nalandians though fielding a side with a mixture of youth and experience has failed to show consistency. They had their own teething problems pertaining to cricket administration - apparently coaching. As a result the game suffered. Lost to Royal. S.Thomas' and Richmond on the first innings. But won against Wesley, Maliyadeva, St. Anthony's and Dharmapala.

Nalanda’s batting looks solid. Dashing Yohan de Silva has scored 777 runs with an average of 48.2. Burly Sachithra Serasinghe has amassed 783 runs with a best score of 153 at an average of 52.2.

Wicket-keeper batsman, Sakura Wijetunga bats at No. 3 with 745 runs has a best score of 137 against Royal. All rounder Madura Warnapura, the captain, is a chip of the old block. His father Bandula captained Nalanda and was the first Test captain. He has made 560 runs and taken 43 wickets with his medium pacers. The bowling has much variety. Prabath Kariyapperuma had a match haul of 9 for 77 against Dharmasoka, and bowled Nalanda to victory.

They have two good spinners - Gihan Rupasinghe, right arm leggie and 14-year-old Lahiru Weragala, a left arm leggie who shows much promise. Weragala had a fine match bag of 8 for 73 against Dharmaraja and helped Nalanda to retain the Bandula Warnapura trophy. Another 14-year-old Ashan Priyanjan is a promising batsman of the future. Priyanjan has scored 64 (St. Peter's), 71 (Wesley), 51 (Dharmarajah). Sound in defence and a dependable lower-order bat.

Skipper Warnapura said, "We will play as underdogs. That's the best way to get the maximum out of my teammates. We will play hard to the end. But if we fail in the end then we are not found wanting."

The teams - Ananda (from): Dhamminda Kularatne, Pradeep Boteju, A. Athulathmudali, M. Udawatte (V. captain), T. Kumarasinghe (Captain), S. Sriyapala, R. Wimaladharma, C. Herath, Sachithra Senanayake, A. Ranasinghe, C. Jayweera, A. Ranawake, Pasindu Jayawardena, A. Witharana.

Nalanda from: Madura Warnapura (Captain), Yasa Hewawitharane (V. Captain), Shakura Wijetunga, Tarindu Attanayake, S. Serasinghe, Yohan de Silva, P. Kariyapperuma, Sameera Abeysinghe, L. Weragala, B. Hettiarachchi, Madhawa Warnapura and Tarun Ranasinghe.

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