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Jayaweera strikes for Ananda, Rupasinghe enlivens Nalanda
By Bernie Wijesekera
Allrounder Gihan Rupasinghe and medium fast bowler Charith Jayaweera stole the thunder before fickle weather marred the proceedings of the first day of the 76th annual Battle of Maroons between Ananda and Nalanda at the SSC Grounds yesterday.

Nalanda winning the toss elected to bat first in the sweltering heat on a docile pitch, tailor-made for batting and made 227 for 9 declared in 84 overs. In reply Ananda were 0 for no loss at the end of the day's play.

Nalanda lost an early wicket at 35. But the advent of Rupesinghe, who joined his Sri Lanka Under 19 tour team mate to Pakistan Sachithra Serasinghe, provided the best batting of the day with a 76 run stand for the second wicket. Left-hander Rupasinghe batting with authority, cut Ananda's varied attack to ribbons with some sweetly timed shots. He was particularly harsh on Achela Ranasinghe and smashed him for two sixes.

Opener Serasinghe, sound in defence, too played a wide array of strokes. Serasinghe on 48 tried to flick Jayaweera off his toes, but wicket keeper Chathura Herath dived brilliantly on the leg side to hold on to a difficult catch. Serasinghe had seven fours in his 48.

Then for Ananda medium pacer Charith Jayaweera bowling to a fine rhythm had the Nalanda middle-order in trouble barring Gihan Rupasinghe. At lunch Nalanda were 113 for 2 with Rupasinghe on 39 and Arthanayake on four.

On resumption Rupasinghe completed an aggressive 50 with a slashing four off Jayaweera. Rupasinghe ultimately ran himself out foolishly when he ambled for a single and was run out at the non-striker's end. He hit 79 in 118 balls, had three sixes and eight fours. At tea Nalanda were 184 for 4. Play was suspended for bad light after only 1.2 overs of the Ananda innings and was followed by rain. The match seems to be heading for another stalemate when play resumes at 10 a.m today.

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