Ananda College comes into this year’s big match, the Battle of the Maroons, as the in-form team and the better side on paper, while Nalanda is in a bit of a rut as they enter the fray at SSC on 4th and 5th of March.
History of the Encounter
This prestigious battle between Ananda and Nalanda has been played since 1924. Ananda has come out as victors a dozen times while Nalanda has managed to win just half a dozen times in the past. The last match to have a result was played in 2003 in which Ananda won under the captaincy of D. Kularathna. It has been 64 years since Nalanda won the big match, doing it in 1953 under the captaincy of W.W. Silva.
The highest team total for the encounter was wracked up by Ananda College as they made 329 in 2006.
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Shantha Kalavitagoda from Nalanda scored an unbeaten 149 in 1997 which stands as the highest individual score in the Battle of the Maroons up to date. Thilina Kandamby’s who 144 in 1999 stands as the highest score by an Anandian. The best bowling figures to date came in the year 1975 when Anura Ranasinghe of Nalanda College claimed 8 for 39.
There have been many legends born from either school but Anandian Arjuna Ranatunga, the man who took Sri Lanka to its only World Cup win to date, stands out from the rest.
WATCH LIVE: 88th Battle of the Maroons – Day 1
Ananda College
The Group B leaders from Maradana have won 4 matches and drawn 13 this season. They come into the big match following a mammoth performance against St. Joseph’s where they made 361 for the loss of just 7 wickets.
Sammu Ashan, a fifth-year colorsman and an under 19 national cap, stands as a lynchpin in the Ananda batting line-up. The right-handed hard hitting batsman has scored 410 runs in 10 matches and has bagged 37 wickets with 2 five wicket hauls.
Maroon and Golds geared up to battle old foes
Key Players Sahan Suraweera is undoubtedly the stalwart in batting for the Maroon and Golds…
Captain Kavishka Anjula is their second highest run scorer with 889 runs this season. He has 2 centuries and 7 half centuries along with 17 wickets to his name.
In-form batsman Sahan Suraweera is undoubtedly the man to watch out for in the Ananda batting line up. The 18-year-old left-hander is in an elite 1000 run club having reached that feat with five centuries and four half-centuries.
Probable XI
Kavishka Anjula, Dileepa Jayalath, Sammu Ashan, Sahan Suraweera, Kavindu Gimhana, Dushan Hettige, Asel Sigera, Kamesh Nirmal, Supun Waragoda, Chamika Gunsekara, Lahiru Attanayake
WATCH LIVE: 88th Battle of the Maroons – Day 2
Nalanda College
Placed fourth in group A, Nalanda comes into this encounter following a convincing six-wicket win over Maliyadeva. Even though the final matches have ended on a good note for Nalanda, the beginning of the season did not go to plan. They will be aiming to end a 64-year wait for a win at the Battle of the Maroons.
There will be high hopes set on highest run scorer Malinga Amarasinghe as he is set to take the field. He has scored 857 runs this season and claimed 28 wickets which include one five-wicket haul.
Nalanda to face stiff test Ananda
Left arm orthodox spinner, Umeshka Dilshan will be spearheading the Nalanda spin attack. He has more than 50 wickets to his name this season..
Left arm orthodox spinner, Umeshka Dilshan will undoubtedly play a major role in the Nalanda bowling. He has 54 wickets to his name and will hope the SSC pitch aids him as the game goes on.
Highest wicket taker, Asel Kulathunga is the lynchpin in the Nalanda bowling. He has 73 wickets to his name with two five wickets hauls.
Probable XI
Dasun Senevirathne, Malinga Amarasinghe, Lakshitha Rasanjana, Suhanga Wijewardena, Kasun Sandaruwan, Kalana Kathriarachchi, Rashmika Madushan, Asel Kulathunga, Umeshka Dilshan, Kalana Perera, Avishka Perera
Final Say
On paper, Ananda College boasts a substantially stronger side than Nalanda College but in the uncertain game of cricket, the possibilities are endless.
