Ananda has the edge

Two leading Buddhist institutions in Sri Lanka, Ananda and Nalanda have produced high calibre professionals who have served the country in many spheres of life. Ananda this year is being led by Malith Gunatilleke. A wily left-arm spinner with a rich harvest of 91 wickets with a best of 7 for 9 at Malith is well backed by batting allrounder Udara Peiris (off-spin) who comes in to this big one with 58 scalps. Udara, The spin twins has been among the wickets and have been behind Ananda’s success story this season.

They have four outright wins over Royal by an innings (after 47 years), St. Sebastian’s, Moratuwa, St. Benedict’s College and Dharmasoka. This year Ananda certainly has the edge over Nalanda who is yet to taste the success of a big match win since the year of 1953.This year Ananda is being coached by an old boy Udayananda Perera who took over the reins from Anura Polonowita. He has done the homework. The players must get-their act-together. The bowling is adequate. Pace trio Ishara Wickremasinghe, Ranganath Wijetunga and Madumal Jayaratne are expected to do well. But it’s the two spinners who have caused concern to the opponents.

Ananda’s batting looks reasonably strong but has not being consistent. Openers Udara Jayasundera has amassed 685 runs with the highest score of 107 against Maliyadeva and 105 (Dharmaraja). Co-opener Dinesh Chandimal 588 runs, Probodha Seneviratne at No 3 slot has been among the runs. 80 against S. Thomas’ 80 (Royal) with over 500 runs to his credit. Vishwa Wijesuriya 454 is another top order batsman with a sound defence.

Nalanda has played 14 matches – before the big'un and have won two games outright over S. Thomas’ Matara (by an innings, 39 runs), beat S. Thomas’ Mt. Lavinia by four wickets and won 8 matches on the first innings.

The team is led by utility allrounder Milinda Weerasinghe, a left hand bat with 300 runs and has captured 39 wickets. His deputy is Madawa Warnapura a junior national player a prolific run-getter with 2 100s 135 n.o. against Richmond, Galle (his mother’s hometown) and 135 – Isipatana. Opener Dahiru Wickremasinghe – A carefree batsman. Has totalled 655 runs. With 155 against Devans K’gala and 124 against Dharmaraja.

17-year-old Ashan Priyanjana Subasinghe, a young future national prospect. He has been playing in the Under-17 19 junior national teams. Nalanda batting looks adequate. Second year coloursman Primosh Perera a batting all-rounder. A left-hander with 517 runs. A ‘ton’ 127 n.o., against STC Matara. Fresher Uthpala B. Kumara. A right-handed batsman scored 430 runs with two 50s. Another fresher.

In Nipun Karunanayaka. Left-hand bat has scored 343 runs with two 50s. A useful leggie with 15 wickets. Paceman Lahiru Aponso (left-arm) with 32 wickets. And leg-spinner (left-arm) Amal Atapattu. The main spring of the spin attack. This season Nalanda is being coached by that fielding allrounder of yester-year - Leslie Narangoda. He said the boys are committed. We will play hard. Adhere to the rules. Provide good cricket for all to enjoy.

Mirko de Silva. The Wicket-keeper. With 17 victims behind the fence. 16 caught and a stump. An agile ‘Keeper'. Has inspired the bowlers.

Ananda (from) – Malith Gunatilleke (Capt.), W. Wijesuriya, R. Wijetunga, U. Peiris, Udara Jayasundera, I. Wickremasinghe, D.C. Lokuge, Probodha Seneviratne, Deshan Silva, M. Perera, Madumal Jayaratne, R. Herath.

Nalanda (from) Milinda Weerasinghe (Capt.), Madhawa Warnapura, (V.Capt.), Chilan de Silva, Ashan P. Subasinghe, Lahiru Wickremasinghe, Nipun Karunanayake, Dilshan Munaweera, Lahiru Aponso, Primosh Perera, Amal Atapattu, Namal Gunarwardena, Uthpala B. Bandara, M.de Silva, Tharindu Wickremasinghe, Dinuk Jayasinghe, S. Narangoda , G. Madushanka.