The battle of the Maroons was worked off 2nd and 3rd March at the SSC grounds.
Disappointing that some very good cricket was marred by a huge brawl that ensued at during the tail end of the match where the Police had to use tear gas to disperse the warring parties.
Ananda College who won the toss yesterday had no hesitation to put Nalanda into bat. The Nalndians who looked to control the first day scored 298 runs for five where their batsman dug-in deep and rooted themselves to take advantage of the game. Woshantha Silva started proceedings for Nalanda scoring 37 with 6 fours and a glorious six for his 37 until the spin of T Samarakoon undid him. Malinga Amarasinghe slashed out 7 fours in his score of 60 runs but unfortunately succumbed to Kushil Perera. Lahiru Jayakody who scored 1 run and Avishka De Silva who scored 10 runs were then removed by T. Dhananjaya and D Pathirana.
The middle order remained stubborn with Avishka De Silva and Pramud Hettiwatte making a great impact on the game scoring 78 and 102, the latter unbeaten at the declaration of 298 for 5. Sammu Ashan bowled best for Ananda sending down 3 wickets giving away 73 runs.
Ananda College in their turn showed great batting prowess matching Nalanda stroke for stroke to score scored 301 runs for a loss of 5 wickets in 71.3 overs. Dasun Wijesinghe had incredible 12 fours to his score of 67 runs. Kusal Dias along with Thushara Amarasinghe were instrumental in removing Wijesinghe caught by Thushara for the bowling of Dias.
Thamalaka Athulathmudali was out for five runs and Pasindu Thirimadura came in and hammered 3 fours to score 21 runs before succumbing to Malinga Amarasinghe. Ananda’s Danuka Pathirana entered the fray sending Nalanda hopes in to smithereens making an incredible 13 fours and 1 six in his score 109 runs until he was removed by Daham.. Kushil Perera and Thavin Dhananjaya scored an unbeaten 22 and 7 runs. Kushil Dias and Malinga Amarasinghe took 2 wickets each while Daham chipped in with 1 wicket.
The traditional cricket encounter ended in a no decision.
Scores in Brief
Nalanda College 1st innings 298/5 in 81.5 overs (Woshantha Silva 37, Malinga De Silva 01, Malinga Amarasinghe 60, Lahiru Jayakody 01, Lahiru Wijerathne 10, Avishka De Silva 78*, Pramud Hettiwaththe 102* Sammu Ashan 73/3)
Ananda College first innings 301/5 in 71.3 overs (Dasun Wijesinghe 67, Thamalaka Athulathmudali 05, Pasindu Thirimadura 21, Thushara Samarakoon 47, Danuka Pathirana 109, Thavin Dhananjaya 7*, Kushil Perera 22*, Kushal Dias 2/70, Malinga Amarasinghe 2/47)
