95th Battle of the Maroons Teams evenly balanced, close contest expected

By M. Shamil Amit

Two leading Buddhist schools in Sri Lanka Ananda College and Nalanda College will clash in their 95th annual Battle of the Maroons Inter-School Big Match to be played over three days starting from today at the SSC Grounds in Maitland Place.

The match is the 95th in the series and will be contested for the Dr. N. M. Perera Memorial Trophy. Nalanda are the holders of the Trophy having won it in 2022 under the leadership of Dineth Samaraweera. 

This win was recorded after a lapse of 69 years while Ananda’s last win was in 2003 when the side was led by Damindu Kularatne.

However, from the 94 matches that have been played so far, Ananda leads the series with 12 wins to the seven wins by the Nalandians with the rest ending in draws.

The two teams have had fluctuating fortunes in the Under-19 Inter-Schools cricket season and according to their performances it seems that this time out it’s going to be a closely contested affair.
Ananda will be led by third year player Ashinsa Nainayake and his trump card is in the bowling department. He is their leading wicket taker with 55 wickets. 

His deputy Kithma Widanapathirana is a fine all-rounder, who has been in the thick of happenings for his side and has taken over 45 wickets.

Ananda will bank on their star batsmen Kithma,who has made over 450 runs, Nethula Edirimanna (353 runs) and Damindu Sellaperuma. The bowling will be in the hands of Ashinsa, Kithma and Binura Induwara.

On the other hand, Nalanda Skipper Sadew Samarasinghe has been unable make much contribution this season as he was out of action due to injury but will pin his hopes on Manupa Manmitha - the sides’ top scorer having accumulated nearly 650 runs along with Osanda Pramuditha, Nemidu Akmeemana and Nadul Jayalath.

The bowling will revolve around Malsha Fernando, who has 45 scalps to his name, Hasith Ratnayake and Thisara Dewdunu, who have shared 42 wickets between them.

Ananda Under-19 Cricket Squad

Nalanda Under-19 Cricket Squad

The Teams

Ananda (From): Ashinsa Nainayake (Captain), Kithma Widanapathirana, Dilal Amarasinghe, Rashan Wijeratne, Damindu Sellaperuma, Daniru Ranasinghe, Senul Danathissa, Nethula Edirimanna, Dasith Batugahage, Kaveesha Mendis, Kenul de Zosya, Dinada Athalage, Chamath Kairusha, Lithma Perera, Mihin Munasinghe, Sharada Jayaratne, Binara Induwara and Yasandu Kiriella.

Nalanda (From): Sadew Samarasinghe (Captain), Manupa Manmitha, Osanda Pamuditha, Nemindu Akmeemana, Sathmina Serasinghe, Gevindu Manamperi, Nadul Jayalath, Santhul Wijeyaratne, Malsha Fernando, Sahan Lithma, Manasa de Silva, Thisara Dewdunu, Hasith Ratnayake, Thinath Herath, Risath Jayaratne, Ranuga Waththuhewa, Minew Paranavithana, Nimesh Neranjana, Minew Premaratne, Punsara Rajakaruna, Omith Ratnayake, Methuka Perera, Sachith Yapa and Lithum Bosilu.