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MALITH SAVES ANANDA BLUSHES
By Harry Jayachandra
Rearguard action was the name of the game at Ananda Mawatha yeaterday. Ananda chasing massive Thomian score of 410 for 9 declared, were bowled out for 354 in their inter school match that ended in a draw.

All rounder Malith Gunathilake led the way with 93 off 86 balls inclusive 3 sixes and 7 fours. When in sight of a deserved century he was run out after a brief hesitation in taking a second run following drive to deep mid wicket. Sachira Madapatha and Malith Gunathillake got together when Ananda were tottering at 227 for 7. They put on 74 for the eighth wicket with Madapatha making an invaluable 24.

Gunathillake was also involved in another crucial stand. This time for the ninth wicket with Ruchira Herath. These two put on 43 for the ninth wicket. The Maradana lads were also helped by their top order. Ranganath Wijesuriya in particular put the Thomian attack to the sword. He made 82.

On a flat track which was nothing short of a batsmen’s paradise, the Thomian bowlers toiled patiently. Centurion Ashan Peiris made another century he would not be so proud of. His two scalps came at the cost of exactly 100 runs. S, Gnanaskandan was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 61.

Inexplicably the Mount Lavinia boys decided to bat again when nothing short of a meteorite shower or an alien landing could have produced a result. They batted right through the 15 mandatory overs to end on 57 for two. Opener S. Pussegolla top scored with 27.

Scores; St. Thomas’ 410 for 9 dec and 57 for 2. (S. Pussegolla 27, N. Perera 17, N. Mazahir 12 n.o.) Ananda 49 for 1 overnight 354 (A. Athulathmudali 39, R. Wijesuriya 82, C. Herath 21, U. Peiris 30, M. Gunathilake 93, R. Herath 12. A. Peiris 2/100, R. de Silva 2/74, S. Gnanaskandan 2/61)

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