Ananda College defeated their traditional rivals Nalanda College by 5-wickets, ending an eight -year-long drought to finally secure a win in their annual limited overs game.
It was in 2016 Ananda last clinched victory in the series when Nisal Francisco’s team beat Nalanda led by Dasun Seneviratne. With this year’s win Ananda leads the win tally with 27 victories whilst Nalanda has a lot of catching up to do with 15 wins under their belt. Last year’s encounter was washed out due to rain.
Old Boy of Nalanda College, ‘Kala Suri’ Premasara Epasinghe, the iconic radio personality in Sri Lankan radio and household name in Sri Lankan cricket commentary was the Chief Guest at the encounter.
Nalanda College won the toss and opted to bat first in the 47th Limited Over encounter of the Battle of the Maroons series at the SSC in Colombo yesterday (17).
Sahan Lithmina’s innings of 46 runs from 56 deliveries lit up the start for Nalanda and Sadew Samarasinghe's fantastic inning came to an end with a brilliant 54. The Nalandian innings came to a close at 228/8 in their allotted 50 overs setting a gettable yet challenging target at the SSC. Ayesh Shashimal (2/39) and Ashinsa Nainayake (2/56) bagged 2 wickets each for Ananda.
Chasing a target of 229, Kanchana de Livera scored a classy half-century stabilising Ananda's inning with knock of 55 off 66. Skipper Iruth Gimshan and Dinada Athalage put on a 50 plus partnership for the second wicket to give a steady control for the Anandians. Dinada Athalage top scored with 70 runs off 84 deliveries proving his class. Ananda College reached the target with ease scoring 229 for the loss of 5 wickets in just 43.1 overs. Minod Caldera (1/24) and Osanda Pamuditha (1/39) were the key performers for the Nalandian bowling department.
Ruvishan Perera’s (Ananda College) exceptional fielding performance was awarded the Best Fielder of the Battle of The Maroons 47th One Day Encounter.
Ayesh Shashimal’s (Ananda College) impeccable performance was awarded the Best Bowler Award.
The Best Batsman Award was bagged by Sadew Samarasinghe's (Nalanda College) excellent batsmanship.
Dinada Athalage's outstanding performance for Ananda College earned him the title of Man of the Match in the 47th One Day Encounter of the Battle of The Maroons.
The Ananda-Nalanda Limited Overs series began way back in 1975 with two future Sri Lanka National Players captaining the respective schools. Sidath Wettimuny led the Anandians and School-boy Cricketer of the Year Anura Ranasinghe marshalled the Nalandians. The inaugural encounter was won by Ananda College, it was a very close game. Ananda scored 195/9 and Nalanda 192/9. The following year in 1976 Nalanda College first laid their hands on the trophy under Ravindra Fernando. From 1991 to 1996 Ananda had a record winning streak. From 2004-2007 Nalanda continued a winning streak. This year’s 94th Battle of the Maroons 2-day big match encounter ended in a draw with both schools sharing the honours. Nalanda College retained the Dr. N.M. Perera Memorial Trophy after their 2022 win which came after 69-years.
