Ananda College Colombo is to dish out some excellent cricket this season and is hard at practice for their main battle in March vs arch-rivals Nalanda College.
The battle of the Maroons, the annual cricket contest is one of the oldest cricket encounters in the circuit dates back to 1924. The final frontier of the Ananda college team is to clinch the trophy of the battle of the Maroons. The Papare headed over to Ananda to checkout their preparations.
Cricket has been the pride of the Ananda as it achieved a number of victories over the year. From the inception which dates back to 1886 Ananda has produced a number of proud cricketers, who have brought in much glory to the country. Top of the list is none other than our national captain, hero and icon Arjuna Ranatunga not only led the country to a World Cup victory in 1996 but also brought Sri Lanka to the notice of the cricketing world. Arjuna is considered by many the god father of Sri Lanka cricket. Other stalwartsthe Wettamuni brothers legendary openers Sidath and Sunil and their brother Mithra, the Ranatunga brothers, Dhammika, Nishantha, Sanjeewa, all went on to represent the national team. Off-spinner turned umpire is Ajith De silva, Brendan Kuruppu, Charith Senanayake, Chandika Hathurusinghe, Marvan Attapattu, Dulip Samaraweera, Thilan Samaraweera, Avishka Gunawardane, Mutumudalige Pushpakumara, Akalanka Ganegama, Thilina Kandamby, Mahela Udawaththe, Dinesh Chandimal, Sachithra Senanayake was some of the rich heritage Ananda gave its country.
This season the 1st XI cricket team is led by Thushara Samarakoon right hand batsman and 3rd year coloursman. Samarakoon has shown indications of a great leader and his prior experience as the vice captain, stood him well this time around. He is a right handed batsman who scored about 300 runs which included 2 half centuries. A stylish batsman remained rock solid for the side.
Dhanuka Madushan being the current Vice Captain shows great leadership qualities. The right-hander has scored a total of 250 runs in his career for Ananda.
Ananda has played 9 matches this season and was able to win the match against the D.S. Senanayake College. They scored 258 and got DS all out for 165 giving them an innings victory. Unfortunately they could not notch up victories vs Richmond and the Dharmashoka due to bad weather condition curtailing the cricket. Most matches were drawn or curtailed.
The Ananda batting is their forte with opening batsman Imesh Lakkana leading the way. Thamalka Athulathmudali, Kushil Rukshan, Vinu Dissanayake, are all left hand batsmen while Thaween Dhananjaya, Dasun Wijesinghe, Pasindu Isira, ammu Ashan, Tharana Ravinduare all right handers.
The bowling department is well balanced.Tiran Wijesooriya is their leading fast bowler instilling some fear in the opposition with his fire. To help him is left arm fast bowler Venuka Ashan. Enforcing a good balance in the side all-rounder Tharana Ravind scores runs and takes wickets tallying 15 this season.
Ananda team is also full with off spinners. Thamalka Athulathmudali, is a right arm off spinner who can also bat. Peshala Kalansooriya, Sammu Ashan, are the other handy off spinners who threaten the opposition.
The person who dedicated his time, and encourages the Anandiansis head coach MrVipulaSittamige. Being an old boy of the Mahanama College Colombo, he has over 16 years of experience playing club cricket and the stint as head coach has opened doors for his career. He began his journey with Ananda in 1996 spending much of his coaching life with the school. However from 2012 he has been permanently appointed by the school administration as the cricket head coach of the Ananda.
ThePapare.com wishes them well
