Both Ananda and Nalanda are known to have produced some of the best National and club cricketers over the years and is considered as the breeding ground of local talent.
Having said that, both teams have failed to live up to expectations during the current season with below par performances. Both schools have not been able to notch up a single outright win this season with Ananda College losing out on two occasions to Richmond College Galle and Dharmashoka Ambalangoda while Nalanda were at the losing end against Lumbini College.
The historical Battle of the Maroons started in 1925 where Ananda was captained by Dr N.M. Perera while Nalanda was led by B.S. Perera. Ananda produced Sri Lanka’s only world cup winning skipper, Arjuna Ranatunga.
This year the lads from Maradana will be captained by senior batsman Thushara Samarakoon. The top order batsman has been a consistent run getter for the Anandians amassing more than 600 runs this season. Amongst the other top batters in the Ananda College batting line up are right batsman Dhanuka Pathirana and wicket-keeper batsman Pasindu Isira who have both scored over 600 runs during the season. Openers Thamala Athulathmudali, Dasun Wijesinghe have also been amongst the runs while left handed Athulathmudali has scored over 400 runs this season together with middle order batsman Kushil Perera. All rounder Shamvu Ashan has been in the thick of the action for the Anandians and has strengthened both the bowling and batting departments capturing more than 20 wickets and scoring an access of 250 runs. The bowlers have been made to work hard this season and their most promising option comes in the form of left arm offie Isuru Gunasekera who has taken 35 wickets.
The Nalandians, similarl to their opposition have not had the best of seasons with an average performance right throughout the season. The Nalandians will be skippered by their ace batsman Lahiru Jayakody who has amassed more than 475 runs this season. Nalanda batters have not had the best of seasons this year with the next best scores coming from the bat of opening batsman Woshantha Silva and Avishka De Silva who have accumulated more than 250 runs this year. The Nalanda College bowling attack will be led by spinner Malinga de Silva who has taken close to 40 wickets this season while right arm off spinner Pramud Hettiwatte also contributing with over 35 wickets.
Ananda College squad
Thushara Samarakoon,(captain) Kushil Perera, Thamalaka Abeygunasekara, Dushmantha, Tiran Wijesuriya, Venuka Ashan, Thamalaka Athulathmudali, Sammu Ashan, Ishan Bandaranayake, Isuru Gunasekara, Pasindu Thirimadura, Thaveen Dananjaya, Dhanuka Madushan, Lakkana Jayasekara, Dasun Wijesinghe.
Nalanda College squad
Lahiru Jayakody (captain), Kushal Dias (vice captain), Avishka de Silva, Pramud Hettiwatte, Woshantha Silva, Malinga de Silva, Lahiru Wijeratne, Senura Amarasinghe. Rashmika Wijayanga, Supun Daham, Dilan Vinura, Eranga Soysa, Malinga Amarasinghe, Shahan Wijayasekara and Ravin Dassanayake
Picture courtesy – Battle of the Maroons official page
