Day two of the 96th Battle of the Maroons got underway with Ananda College in a commanding position. However, by the end of the day’s play, Nalanda’s batting unit had flipped the tables in their favour.
Day 2 resumed with Ananda College hoping to build on their emphatic overnight score of 325 for the loss of 5 wickets. For the boys in Gold and Maroon, Nethula Edirmanne was the star on day one with an unbeaten 150.
Edirimanne eventually finished his innings with a record-breaking 165. Soon after his departure, the Ananda camp decided to declare their innings early at 353 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Nalanda skipper Osanda Pamuditha was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 4 wickets.
In reply, chasing a rather large first-innings total set by their rivals, Nalanda lost their openers quite cheaply, including last year’s big-match centurion Nadul Jayalath. The elated Ananda bowling unit was then tested by second-year Coloursman Nemindu Akmeemana and skipper Osanda Pamuditha, who together put on a crucial 111-run partnership for the 4th wicket. Skipper Pamuditha departed after scoring 55, but young Akmeemana stood tall, absorbed the pressure, and delivered the innings of his lifetime.
Akmeemana was later joined by Mihin Zoysa, and the duo remained at the crease until stumps, putting on the second century partnership of the day.
Nemindu Akmeemana ended the day unbeaten on 112, while Mihin Zoysa remained unbeaten on 42.
There is still plenty of cricket left to be played in this 96th edition of the Battle of the Maroons, but judging by how the proceedings have unfolded and how the wicket has behaved over the past two days, it seems highly unlikely that this match will produce a result
The match will continue tomorrow (1st March) for Day 2. Spectators can catch all the action LIVE on ThePapare 1 HD (Dialog TV Channel 126), ThePapare.com and the Dialog Play app.
