Ananda College put themselves in contention for an outright victory while completely dominating the opening days play of their inter school under 19 cricket encounter against Maliyadeva College Kurunegala at Ananda Mawatha today.
The Anandians put up a tremendous performance on the field to bundle out their opponents for just 124 runs in the first innings and then hit up 161 for 4 wickets in reply to complete a highly successful day.
Maliyadeva College did not have any answer to Ananda’s penetrative spin bowling with Kasun Perera (3/8), Sandaken Pathirana (3/22) and Tharana Ravindu (2/34) causing the damage on a day which was dominated by the bowlers.
The Maliyadeva College top order batsmen of course got good starts but they just could not consolidate their position and eventually lost wickets at regular intervals.
In fact Damith Silva, Sharinda Dassanayake and Damith Perera all got into their 20’s but were unable to built up a partnership and to convert their scores into a half century or a hundred.
The Anandians were able to overtake their opponents total on the opening day itself as they reached an impressive 161 for 4 wickets and look well set to further extend their lead.
Pasindu Ishira led the way while stroking an unbeaten half century and had good support from Lakkhana Jayasekera (39), Thamalaka Athulathmudali (34) and Dasun Wijesinghe.
The match will be continued tomorrow.
Maliyadeva: 124 in 42.5 overs (Damitha Silva 28, Sachintha Pieris 21 n.o., Sharinda Dassanayake 21, Damith Perera 21, Kasun Perera 3/8, Sanadaken Pathirana 3/22, Tharana Ravindu 2/34)
Ananda: 161-4 in 37 overs (Pasindu Ishira 54 n.o., Lakkhana Jayasekara 39, Thamalaka Athulathmudali 34, Dasun Wijesinghe 13 n.o., Chandima Bandara 2/42, Sachintha Pieris 2/38)
