Two of the top Sri Lankan schools, Ananda College and Nalanda College will once again renew their rivalry for the 87th time in their ‘Battle of the Maroons’ encounter which will be worked out at the SSC grounds on the 5th and 6th of March.
History of the Encounter
The Battle of the Maroons between these two prestigious institutions began in 1924 when Ananda College was captained by RS Rajakaruna and Nalanda College was led by BS Perera in an encounter which ended in a draw. The annual ‘Big Match’ was not played during the Second World War in 1942 and ’43.
The trophy has been named in memory of former Ananda captain Sujeewa Kamalasooriya who died in the 2004 tsunami disaster. Sujeewa excelled in sports at Ananda and led the cricket team in 1983. Ananda lead the series with 12 wins while Nalanda has won six times.
Ananda won in 1926, 1927, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1965, 1982 and 2003, their latest win coming under Damindu Kularathne. Nalanda have registered wins in 1925, 1928, 1947, 1949, 1950 and 1953 their latest under WW Silva. Nalanda will be hoping to end their 63-year winless drought.
Sri Lankan cricket greats, Arjuna Ranatunga, Sidath Wettimuny, Brendon Kuruppu along with players in the caliber of Marvan Atapattu, Dhammika Ranatunga, Sanjeewa Ranatunga, Charith Senanayake, Dinuk Hettiarachchi, Thilan Samaraweera, Avishka Gunawardena, Thilina Kandambi, Dinesh Chandimal and Sachithra Senanayake are few of the high profile products from Ananda College who have gone on to represent Sri Lanka.
Nalanda produced Sri Lanka’s first Test captain Bandula Warnapura and several other national players in the caliber of Anura Ranasinghe, Lalith Kaluperuma, Sanath Kaluperuma, Gamini Wickramasinghe, Roshan Mahanama, Asanka Gurusinha, Chamara Dunusinghe, Kumara Dharmasena and Mahela Jayawardene.
Ananda College
The team from Ananda Mawatha will be led by the stylish 4th year coloursman, Nisal Fransisco. The left-handed top-order batsman has surpassed the 600 run mark and bowls handy leg-spinners as well. The Anandians have played 14 matches so far recording 3 outright wins against Bandaranayake MV Gampaha, Dharmasoka MV Ambalangoda and Dharmaloka MV Kelaniya but their unbeaten record was tarnished when they lost to Trinity.
Photo Album – Ananda College Cricket Team 2015/16
Ananda’s deputy skipper and left-hand batsman Kavishka Anjula has been in prime form this season scoring 688 runs with two centuries and two half centuries. The right-arm seamer has also captured 45 wickets and will be itching to produce a match-winning performance this weekend.
Last year’s captain and the centurion in the 86th Battle of the Maroons, Sammu Ashan did not play most of the season due to national commitments but the hard-hitting, experienced campaigner will be expected to make a valuable contribution. The bowling will be spearheaded by their top bowler and left-arm spinner Dileepa Jayalath who has taken over 60 scalps this season.
Youngsters such as Asel Sigera, Rahal Avishka, Nipun Haggalla and Supun Waragoda will be waiting in the wings to make a name for themselves by performing on the ‘Big’ stage amidst the Anandian mob.
Ananda College squad: Nisal Francisco (captain), Kavishka Anjula (vice-captain), Sammu Ashan, Dileepa Jayalath, Nipun Hagalla, Dinuka Jayarathne, Rahal Avishka, Ashel Sigera, Supun Waragoda, Lahiru Udayanga, Sahan Suraweera, Dushan Hettige, Kamesh Nirmal, Kalana Perera, Aveesha Wilwalaarachchi, Lahiru Attanayake, Achila Iranga, Coach: Rohan Soysa.
Nalanda College
Third year coloursman, Dasun Senevirathne will skipper an inexperienced but talented Nalandian outfit. Senevirathne will have to work hard if he is to become the captain who breaks the long drought of victories. He has mustered over 550 runs this season to lead his team to three victories against Thurstan College, Rahula College Matara and D.S. Senanayake College while losing outright to S. Thomas’ College. They have also won eight matches on first innings.
Photo Album – Nalanda College Cricket Team 2015/16
Senior player and left-arm spinner Kavindu Bandara has been the go-to bowler this season for the team from Campbell Place. He is on the verge of a personal milestone. With 93 wickets under his name, Bandara will hope to create a big impact this weekend. Apart from his wickets tally, he has also scored over 400 runs. Fast-bowlers Ayantha De Silva and Asel Kulathunge have both taken over 20 wickets this season and will have loads of work to do on a flat track at the SSC grounds.
Last year’s captain and Sri Lanka U19 representative, Malinga Amarasinghe will need to play a huge role in breaking the 63-year old jinx. Talented players such as Nimnaka Ratnayake, who has 535 runs to his credit and Kasun Sandaruwan, who has made 511 runs with a century this season, will be key components of the team.
Nalanda College squad: Dasun Seneviratne (captain), Kavindu Bandara (vice-captain), Malinga Amarasinghe, Dilan Suraweera, Aroshan Nipun, Kasun Sandaruwan, Ayantha de Silva, Lakshitha Rasanjana, Nimnaka Ratnayake, Thinura Malaka, Suhanga Wijewardena, Umeshka Dilshan, Asel Kulatunga, Kalana Perera, Madushanka Gunadasa, Eranga Jayasinghe, Coach: Keerthi Gunaratne.
Last words and prediction
Last week only two innings were played during the course of two days at the same venue. Expect another batting friendly surface with a plethora of runs available during the two days of cricket. After taking all the factors into consideration, it is more than likely that this may be another tame draw.
