The bond between old Anandians and old Nalandians living in the UAE will be renewed once again at the 10th Battle of the Maroons to be held on 24th November 2017 at the Oval Cricket Grounds in Ajman UAE.
The first ever cricket Battle of the Maroons encounter was initiated in the UAE by former Ananda Cricket Captain Saliya Senanayake along with former Nalanda Cricketer Sumedha Dharmasena in 2004.
The 10th edition of the Battle of the Maroons will be played in memory of the Legendary Principal P de S Kularatne, who was the Principal of Ananda College for 25 years. A well-known educationist, he also established Nalanda College Colombo, Ananda Balika Vidyalaya, Moratuwa Vidyalaya and Dharmapala Vidyalaya.
For the first time, the Battle of the Maroons Cricket Matches in the UAE will be played with the leather ball according to International T20 format, which is a testament to the growing enthusiasm and development of cricket in the UAE.
The second eleven game that was introduced at the 7th Battle of the Maroons will be played this year too, in memory of the Veteran Coach Lionel Mendis. The much loved teacher and cricket coach, Lionel Mendis has been instrumental in developing many talented cricketers who have represented Sri Lanka at the highest level.
With the success of introducing Old Anandians and Old Nalandians Rugby Teams in the UAE, this year too, at the 10th Battle of the Maroons, the Tag Ruby Big Match will be played, contesting for the P de S Kularatne Challenge Shield.
At the first Battle of the Maroons in the UAE that was played in 2004, Old Anandians Cricket Team led by former Ananda and Tamil Union Cricketer Sanjeewa Karunasekara beat Old Nalandians Cricket Team led by former Nalanda Cricketer Sumedha Dharmasena. Since then there have been 9 Battle of the Maroons big matches played so far in the UAE, where Nalanda has won the coveted trophy 5 times and Ananda 4 times.
Former Nalanda Cricketer Dhanushka Pitakotte will lead the Old Nalandians, while all-rounder Achinda Withramalage, who is also a famous all-rounder in UAE cricketing circles, will lead the Old Anandians. The second eleven team of Old Anandians will be led by experienced Sanjeewa Mahawedage and Hasitha Perera will lead the Old Nalandians.
The Old Anandians Rugby Team will be led by Lahiru Prabhath Werahera, while Chanaka Senatilake will lead the Old Nalandians Rugby Team.
One of the key events in the UAE’s Event Calendar, the Battle of the Maroons is organized to foster the friendship and brotherhood between these two foremost schools, and is expected to draw a large gathering of Old Anandians and Old Nalandians, their families and friends for activities at the Oval Cricket grounds in Ajman, UAE.
