By Leslie Fernando
FOUR half centuries from Sameera Panapitiya, Thilinia Kandambi, Jithendra Perera, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara and a bright 6th wicket unbroken stand of 119 runs between Jithendra and Pushpakumara enabled Ananda to declare at 284 for 5 against Nalanda on the first day of the 69th 'Battle of the Maroons' at R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.
Despite Ananda's formidable score, Nalanda made a bold reply with 74 for no loss at close. Both Nalanda openers skipper Sanjaya Rodrigo (31) and Dhanushka Fernando (41) batted with comfortable ease.
Ananda erased off a 44-year-old record by scoring 284 the highest team score in an innings 278 in 1954 under the captaincy of P. de Silva.
Sent into bat, Ananda lost both openers Lahiru Chathuranga (9) and Lakshan Fernando (8). Pacemen Gangodawila and Kumar removed both openers. Then there was a good recovery through Rajith Basnayake and Sameera Panapitiya associating in a 59-run stand for the third wicket.
At lunch Ananda were 136 for 2 with Sameera 47 n.o. and Kandamby unbeaten on 43. The pair batted with authority and were involved in a valuable 77-run stand for the 4th wicket. Sameera stroked superb 60 studded with 8 fours while Kandamby smashed 58 with 9 fours in just 52 balls and brought the score to 165/5.
From 165 for 5 Jithendra and Pushpakumara lifted the score to 284 batting with extraordinary fashion. Pushpakumara hit a bright unbeaten 60 in 63 balls and it contained 4 fours while Jithendra made an unbeaten 51 in 62 balls with 4 fours. They shared an unfinished stand of 119 runs for the sixth wicket which came in just 24 overs.
Ananda added 148 runs after lunch off 33 overs and declared at tea. Nalanda used nine bowlers in bid to curtail Ananda batting line up. The off-spinner Danitha Dayaratne was the most successful bowler for Nalanda claiming 2 for 60.
Nalanda opener Sanjaya Rodrigo and Dhanushka Fernando batted sensibly. Sanjaya remained unbeaten on 31 with 3 fours and Dhanushka unbeaten with 41 with 5 fours. The pair faced 33 overs and batted for 134 minutes for Nalanda to be 74 for no loss. The match will be continued today at 10.00 a.m.
Day 2: Magnificent century by Sanjaya Rodrigo
By Chris Dhambarage
Nalanda Skipper Sanjaya Rodrigo hit a magnificent knock of 111 to steal the limelight on the second day of the 69th 'Battle of the Maroons' cricket encounter against the traditional rivals Ananda which ended in a draw at the R. Premadasa Stadium, yesterday.
The stylish opener played a true captains innings and helped his team declare their first innings at 251 for 7. Rodrigo held the middle order together and really demoralised the fielding side by occupying the crease for over five hours. His knock was studded with one six and 12 boundaries and was fifth out with the score at 223.
Rodrigo and his opening partner Danushka Fernando laid the foundation for a good first innings total with an opening stand of 81 runs. Fernando made a useful contribution of 43 runs inclusive of five boundaries.
Arunalu de Silva joined Rodrigo and the pair added a further 73 runs for the third wicket. De Silva played a good supporting role and collected his runs from 68 deliveries with the help of four boundaries.
All rounder Dilhan Jayasundera also made his presence felt with the bat and put on 41 runs for the fifth wicket along with Skipper Sanjaya Rodrigo. In fact Jayasundera remained unbeaten on 25 having stroked three boundaries.
The Anandians really toiled hard on the field and used as many as nine bowlers with limited success. Their main strike bowler Sajith Rupasinghe too failed to make an impact and captured only one wicket after a marathon spell of 29 overs.
The Anandians then batted throughout the final session and scored 117 for 5 when rain stopped play in the 10th mandatory over. Sankajaya de Silva took the opportunity and proved himself by capturing 3 for 48.