Ananda College and Nalanda College once again settled for a draw in their 86th Battle of the Maroons played over the weekend at SSC grounds. Ananda skipper Sammu Ashan and his team mate Nisal Francisco were highlighted in the match due to their brilliant batting doubles.
Ananda was asked to bat first on a placid SSC surface on Saturday. Both openers fell cheaply but Nisal and Sammu resurrected the innings superbly. Nisal made 53 with 8 boundaries to his name and both were involved in a 105-run stand. Sammu Ashan completed a memorable hundred where he struck a 120-ball 114 which comprised 17 boundaries and a six while for Nalanda, right arm pacie Ayantha de Silva ended up with impressive figures of 5 for 32 as Ananda declared their innings on 245 for 9 in the 52nd over.
Nalanda College in their reply was 112 for 3 in 42 overs at stumps on day one. Raveen Dasanayake made 53 runs with the bat. Resuming their innings on day 2, Nalanda failed to capitalize as Ananda shut them down to only 239 runs, winning the game on first innings. Kavindu Bandara scored a half-ton for Nalanda but the real damage was done by seamer Kavishka Anjula and left-arm spinner Dilanka Sandaken as both of them captured 4 wickets apiece.
Ananda College in their 2nd innings batted out the day as another tame draw was witnessed by two of the oldest cricket playing schools in Sri Lanka. Left-handed Nisal Francisco stroked 112 runs but he fell 13 runs short of his 1,000 runs for the season. Skipper Sammu Ashan made 78 runs as well for the Anandians as they posted 268 for 4 at close of play on day 2.
Chief Scores:
Ananda (1st inn) – 245/9 declared in 51.3 overs: Nisal Francisco 53, Sammu Ashan 114, Ayantha De Silva 5/32, Malik Pieris 2/34.
Nalanda (1st inn) – 239 all out in 84.2 overs: Raveen Dasanayaka 53, Kavindu Bandara 50, Kavishka Anjula 4/88, Dilanka Sandakan 4/45.
Ananda (2nd inn) – 268/4 in 48.2 overs: Nisal Francisco 112, Sammu Ashan 78.
Individual Awards
Player of the Match – Sammu Ashan (Ananda)
Best Batsman – Nisal Francisco (Ananda)
Best Bowler – Ayantha De Silva (Nalanda)
Best Fielder – Sahan Arachchige (Ananda)
