Ananda get the better of exchanges

By M. Shamil Amit

A record stand of 203 runs for the second wicket between Ananda skipper Malith Gunathileke who cracked a 100 with 13 boundaries and two sixes and Dinesh Chandimal who slammed an unbeaten 103 inclusive of 14 boundaries was the highlight of the second day’s play in the drawn Under 20 Elephant Lemonade inter-school encounter between Ananda and Richmond concluded at Ananda Mawatha yesterday.

Ananda batsman Malith Gunatilleke hits one over the ropes. Pic by Ranjith Perera

The first days play belonged to 14 year old left arm leggie of Richmond Yasoda Lanka who bowled a nagging length to return figures of 5 for 35 to restrict the home team for 242. Richmond in their turn ended the first day on 125 for 6 but recovered in the morning session on day two to end their innings on 219 thanks to Yaosda who followed his wicket haul and made a useful 59 with another knock of 58 coming from Chathupama Gunasinghe.

Ananda batting the second time declared their innings on 237 for 3 setting Richmond an impossible target of 261. Richmond were struggling at 23 for 3 when stumps were drawn.

Ananda 242 (Wishwa Wijesuriya 53, Malith Gunathileke 42, Udara Jayasundara 26, Dinesh Chandimal 24, Udara Peiris 22.; Yasoda Lanka 5 for 35, Asitha Weerasuriya 3 for 42) and 237 for 3 declared (Malith Gunathileke 100, Dinesh Chandimal 103 n.o.; Rizan Ahamed 2 for 35)

Richmond (125/6 o’night) 219 (Yasoda Lanka 59, Chathupama Gunasinghe 58, Malinda Sandaruwan 22.; Malith Gunathileke 5 for 65, Mateesha Perera 2 for 46, Udara Peiris 2 for 47) and 23 for 3 (Isara Wickramasinghe 2 for 15).