Ananda College batted themselves into a commanding position when they amassed an impressive 298 runs in their first innings on the opening day of their inter school under 19 cricket tournament match against St. Peter’s College which commenced at Ananda Mawatha yesterday.
The Ananda College innings was built around a magnificent century from their opening batsman Pasindu Isira who struck exactly one hundred runs from 126 deliveries and which was studded with one six and thirteen boundaries.
This was a classic knock from the elegant right hander who dropped anchor from the very first delivery to play a long innings and probably his best for the current season against a quality bowling attack.
In fact Pasindu Isira was under tremendous pressure from the beginning as the two Peterite opening bowlers Chemila Obeysekera and Sahan Nanayakkara came into the limelight while causing plenty of trouble to the batting side.
Obeysekera and Nanayakkara of course had early success and were very much in control of the situation as the Ananda top order looked quite vulnerable against the pace and swing while losing a couple of vital wickets during the opening session of play.
However Ananda College found a real hero when they were in a hopeless situation with Pasindu Isira striking form at the correct time to lift his team towards absolute safety after they had even struggled to reach the one hundred and fifty run mark at one stage.
The Anandians may have occupied the crease for too long as they batted for more than 75 overs but they could be also excused because they simply allowed one of their senior players to reach a brilliant hundred under most trying circumstances.
The situation was certainly tailor made for Pasindu Isira who simply grabbed the opportunity with both hands to prove his class and authority as one of the top run getters in the current inter school cricket season.
His dominance with the bat was very clear throughout the innings considering the fact that only two of his teammates Kusal Perera (28) and Shammu Ashan (28) were able to make any significant contributions towards their total.
The Peterites despite having taken the initiative through Chemila Obeysekera (5 for 66) and Sahan Nanayakkara (5 for 66) could not consolidate their position and add the finishing touches as they lacked variation in their bowling attack.
Ananda College: 298 (Pasindu Isira 100, Kusal Perera 28, Chemila Obeysekera 5 for 66, Sahan Nanayakkara 5 for 66)
St. Peter’s College: 4 for no loss
