The 93rd Battle of the Maroons encounter played between Ananda College and Nalanda College commenced today (04th March), at SSC Grounds, Colombo.
Ananda College’s Skipper Nethma Samaraweera won the toss and invited the opposition to take the first lease of the wicket at SSC.
Nalanda College got off to a shaky start as they lost their 3 top order wickets for just 57 runs in quick succession. However, Nalanda No. 4 batter Kushmitha Silva and No. 5 batter Eranga Jayakodi stitched together a 124-run stand for the 4th wicket, rebuilding their innings.
Jayakodi was the aggressor of the two who made 83 runs off 77 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes, being the top scorer of the innings. Silva also contributed with a crucial knock of 57 runs off 91 balls with 5 fours and a six.
The Skipper Chanul Athukorala and Senesh Wijesinghe built another vital 74-run stand for the 6th wicket as Nalanda College went onto the Tea break at 280/5.
The play did not resume on time after the Tea break as rain intervened the proceedings at SSC Grounds. After around an hour’s delay, the play resumed, with Nalanda College opting to declare their innings.
In reply, Ananda College got off to a solid start, putting on 65 runs for the loss of 1 wicket at the close of play on day 1.
, at SSC Grounds, Colombo.){kind=link}