With a rich history of 130 years, this prestigious institution has been a wonderful servant for Sri Lanka Cricket. Arjuna Ranatunga, 1996 World Cup winning captain, Marvan Atapattu, one of the most stylish batsman ever to walk on this earth, young Dinesh Chandimal, a rising star in world cricket, all these world renowned characters got their foundation in the game within the walls of Ananda College.
Season so far
The Ananda College 1st XI team is being led by 3rd year colorsman Nisal Francisco. It has been a mixed bag of a season for the school from Colombo 10. With 3 outright wins against Dharmapala College, Dharmasoka College and Gampaha Bandaranayake they managed to qualify to the pre-quarters in the league. St Sebastian’s College beat them by points to proceed to the next round. With only one outright defeat to Trinity College, Ananda have got 7 first innings victories to go along with the 3 outright victories.
Players to look out for
Skipper and left handed bat Nisal Fancisco has done a brilliant job with the bat for Ananda College this season. With 6 fifties under his belt he has piled up 633 runs in the middle order. The star performer for the maroon and gold army is left handed Kavishka Anjula. With a total of 753 runs including 2 centuries and 3 fifties in the middle order, Kavishka has saved his team many a time. He has been brilliant with the ball in hand as well, picking up 45 wickets with his right arm seamers this season.
The highest wicket taker for Ananda College is left arm leg spinner Dileepa Jayalath. 2nd year colorsman Dileepa has taken 60 wickets this season including 1 ten wicket haul and 6 five wicket hauls. The other top performer this year has been 2nd year colorsman Asel Sigera. With 2 fifties he has notched up 400 runs this season to go along with his 43 wickets bowling his left arm leg spin. Last but not least 4th year colorsman and Sri Lanka U19 Vice-captain Sammu Ashan is also a part of this formidable side. He missed out on most of the season but he will be itching to fire in the upcoming limited overs tournament and the big match.
Coaching staff
The main man behind closed doors for Ananda College is head coach Rohan Soysa. He is in his 6th year at this prestigious school. His second in command Thushira Silva too has had a big part to play with these young boys. In a school where sports are not given as much credit as other institutions, Priyankara Nandasena does a brilliant job with all the administrative work as the master in charge of the team.
Final say
These young boys have had to give up their hopes of winning the league title but they have their big match and the limited overs tournament to look forward to. Last year’s captain and Sri Lanka U19 vice-captain Sammu Ashan will be itching to contribute after missing out on most of this year’s league due to national duties. With some brilliant all rounders in the hut, Ananda will be in contention to take the memorial trophy home at the 87th Battle of the Maroons between Ananda College and Nalanda College will be happening on the 5th and 6th of March at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Head over to the SSC or if you’re unable to do so log on to www.thepapare.com to catch the live action.
