The 2nd edition of the ‘Battle of the Legends’ Big Match Cricket Encounter between C. W. W. Kannangara College, Borella and Lalith Athulathmudali College, Mt. Lavinia, unfolded recently at the legendary P. Sara Oval International Stadium. In what was a low-scoring affair characterised by disciplined bowling and periodic batting collapses, the lads from Lalith Athulathmudali College posted a comfortable 42-run victory to retain the coveted title.
Having won the toss, C. W. W. Kannangara College opted to field first, a decision made despite the wicket appearing conducive for batting. The Mudalians’ innings began with intent, as Nisal Nethmina provided a firing start while his opening partner, Milan Kavishka, adopted a more watchful and cautious approach. The fielding side struck early thanks to a serious misunderstanding between the wickets, claiming their first breakthrough with the score at just 29. However, the recovery was swift. Nisal Nethmina and Sithum Minsara built a solid partnership of 62 runs to stabilize the innings before a couple of quick wickets put the brakes on their progress. Following a brief 27-run stand, opener Nisal Nethmina departed against the right-arm pace of Chathura Keshan after scoring a valuable half-century.
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Sensing an opening, the Kannangara bowlers tightened the pressure, triggering a collapse that saw the Mudalians slide from 122/3 to 133/6. Amidst the top-order failure, Anjalika Sakuntha and Wageesha Nethsara stitched together a much-needed 40-run partnership. Sakuntha dominated the scoring, while Nethsara hung around, contributing just 7 runs. In the final phase of the innings, Anjalika Sakuntha delivered an isolated yet crucial inning, remaining unbeaten on 44 runs, which included five fours and a magnificent six.
Lacking sufficient support from the lower order, Lalith Athulathmudali was eventually bundled out for 202 runs in 49.4 overs. While the Kannangara bowlers maintained pressure with good line and length, they had themselves to blame for the rivals crossing the 200-run mark, having conceded a costly 45 extras. Chathura Keshan was the major destroyer for Kannangara, picking up four wickets.
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Chasing a target of 203 runs, C. W. W. Kannangara College found themselves in immediate trouble. The bowlers from Lalith Athulathmudali never allowed the rivals to settle, as the three frontline batters, Skipper Daham Aloka, Methuja Randilu, and Matheesha Pramuditha, were sent back to the pavilion for scores of 00, 00, and 03 respectively. With the side in hot water at 3 wickets down for very few runs, Matheesha Malshan and Chathura Keshan arrived at the crease. The duo counter-attacked, creating the partnership Kannangara desperately needed and escalating the score to 109/3.
Just as the game seemed to be shifting balance, Anjalika Sakuntha stepped up. Having starred with the bat, Sakuntha delivered the breakthrough the Mudalians badly needed. The wickets of Matheesha Malshan (48) and Chathura Keshan (34) fell in quick succession, effectively killing the momentum. During the final stages, Thanula Mindada and Kaveen Geethma displayed some resistance against the quality bowling, but it was not enough to rescue the innings.
While the Captain Chanuth Fernando martialled his side, Anjalika Sakuntha, along with Chanuth Dihan and Nethma Anuhas, spearheaded the bowling unit, maintaining utmost pressure as the lads from Kannangara were bundled out for just 163 runs within 42.1 overs.
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Nisal Nethmina and Anjalika Sakuntha set the tone with the bat, but Sakuntha reserved the major honors of the game by picking up 4 wickets in addition to his quick 44 runs. With this comfortable win, the lads from Mt. Lavinia managed to retain the trophy they clinched in the inaugural edition of the ‘Battle of the Legends’ last year.
Brief Scorecard
Lalith Athulathmudali College, Mt Lavinia – 202 all out (49.4 Overs)
Nisal Nethmina 54, Anjalika Sakuntha 44, Sithum Minsara 24,
Chathura Keshan 24/4, Thanula Mindada 38/2, Rasindu Devmina 29/1, Victor Dushmantha 54/1
C. W. W. Kannangara College, Colombo – 160 all out (42.1 Overs)
Matheesha Malshan 48, Chathura Keshan 34, Thanula Mindada 13, Kaveen Geethma 12
Anjalika Sakuntha 34/4, Nethma Anuhas 24/2, Chanuth Dihan 36/2, Sithum Minsara 13/1, Dinuga Methsara 19/1
