Nalanda break 69-year drought with big win

By M. Shamil Amit 

Nalanda College broke a 69-year drought against traditional rivals Ananda College by winning the Battle of Maroons when they coasted to a convincing nine-wicket win in the 92nd encounter concluded at the SSC ground today.

The architects of the win were their Sri Lanka youth players Raveen de Silva and Vinuja Ranpul who together combined to share 13 wickets in both of Ananda’s innings after Chanul Athukorala put in a top batting performance on day one.

Ananda were bowled out for 139 in reply to Nalanda's score of 289 for 9 declared, with Ranpul and de Silva who together shared seven wickets.

Following on, Ananda were left with the task of erasing the deficit of 150, and they managed a lead of just 30. 

Nalanda achieved the target of 31 runs with ease in 5.2 overs.
Nalanda last won the Battle of Maroons way back in 1953 under the leadership of W.W. Silva.

At SSC - Nalanda won by nine wickets 
Nalanda 289 for 9 declared (ChanulAthukorala 88, Dineth Samaraweera 33, RusiruVilochana 25, Yasiru Samaraweera 23, VinujaRanpul 23, ErangaJayaoody 23, Kushmitha Silva 17: Shakthi Udara 5 for 90, PulinduKirieella 3 for 57) and 31 for 1 (Raveen de Silva 15 n.o.)

Ananda (69/5 overnight) 139 (Shakthi Udara 21, Nethma Karunaratne 16, IruthGimshan 70 n. o.: VinujaRanpul 4 for 33, Raveen de Silva 3 for 33) Andy 180 (Hansaka Jayasinghe 43, LakshithaKularatne 32, Mineth Premaratne 23, TehaanPerera 17, Nethma Karunaratne 15:  Raveen de Silva 4 for 80, VinujaRanpul 2 for 40)