The 75th Battle of the Golds and the 95th Battle of the Maroons kicked off today (28th February) at the Tyronne Fernando Stadium and the SSC grounds. However, with the heavens opening up, play did not last the entire day in either of the games.
At Moratuwa, after St. Sebastian’s skipper Ryan Dissanayake won the toss and elected to bowl first under overcast conditions, considering the rain that had poured the previous evening. St. Sebastian’s made the perfect start to the 75th Battle of the Golds, as their opening bowler Adesh Almeida struck early, dismissing Cambrian opener Pulingu Perera in the third over.
After the opening wicket, skipper Rivith Jayasuriya and Suwahas Fernando combined to rebuild the innings with a steady partnership. However, Suwahas Fernando fell to Shenash Fernando, leaving Jayasuriya to anchor the Cambrians’ innings both before and after the rain delay. He displayed great patience, bringing up a well-earned half-century before being trapped in front by St. Sebastian’s strike bowler Malintha Silva. At stumps, Prince of Wales’ College stood at 111 for 4.
With plenty of action still to come from Moratuwa, an exciting couple of days lie ahead
Brief Scores: 75th Battle of the Golds
Prince Of Wales’ College – 111/4 (44) Rivith Jaysuriya 50, Ganesha Fernando 23*, Suwahas Fernando 20, Adesh Almeida 2/36
St. Sebastian’s College
Stumps – Day 1
Meanwhile, at the SSC, Ananda College took on their long-standing arch-rivals in the 95th Battle of the Maroons on a rain-affected opening day. After losing the toss, Ananda was sent in to bat by Nalanda skipper Sadew Samarasinghe. It was déjà vu at the SSC as well, with Osanda Pramuditha striking in just the third ball of the game for Nalanda.
“After the fall of Danindu Sellaperuma, opener Nethula Edirimanne and Dinada Athalage combined to build a handsome partnership. Nethula Edirimanne just missed out on a well-deserved half-century, losing his wicket on 49. On the other hand, Dinada Athalage played a brilliant and patient knock, scoring a half-century and stealing all the headlines on day one.
A special mention should also be made for Kithma Widanapathirana’s brief stay at the crease. Kithma smashed a quick 32 off 28 deliveries, leaving most people with mixed opinions about his innings. Nevertheless, it’ll be a cracking couple of days ahead of us at the SSC in the 95th Battle of the Maroons
Brief Scores: 95th Battle of the Maroons
Ananda College – 154/3 (47) Dinada Athalage 52*, Nethula Edirimanne 49, Kithama Widanapathirana 32
Nalanda College
Stumps – Day 1
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 at the Tyronne Fernando Stadium and the SSC grounds. However, with the heavens opening up, play did not last the entire day in either of the games.){kind=link}