Sports
Ananda, Nalanda battle to keep reputation intact
by Reemus Fernando
Wellknown for producing legendary cricketers, the Battle of the Maroons rivals Ananda and Nalanda will have a huge task living up to the reputation these two institutions are famous for when they meet at the 95th edition of the Big Match starting at the SSC ground today.
With no dominant performances until the last stage of the Under 19 Division I Cricket tournament both Ananda and Nalanda were engaged in a survival battle for a better part of the premier schools cricket tournament. Both teams could not reach the knockout stage of the Tier A and Tier B tournaments. But they did well to avoid relegation scares by scoring an outright victory each just before the league stage culminated. Ananda playing in the Tier ‘B’ tournament beat St. Sebastian’s College Katuneriya and Nalanda competing in the top Tier recorded an innings and 27 runs win against Maris Stella in the last match.
The inconsistency in the batting lineups were a major concern for both teams this season and they will be looking to make amends playing in front of their most ardent fans.
Both teams have several formidable players on whom they are heavily depending on.
Ananda skipper Ashinsa Nainayaka and his deputy Kithma Withanapathirana for their all-round abilities and Sharada Jayarathna in the bowling department are their most reliable players.
Left-arm spinner Nainayaka and off-spinner Withanapathirana have 100 wickets between them. Jayarathna has taken over 30 wickets. Withanapathirana, the mainstay in the Ananda batting line up, needs to come up with his best in this encounter if Ananda are to make an impact. In his absence Ananda suffered a historic defeat at the hands of St. Thomas’ Matara this season.
Similarly, Nalanda’s batting lineup looks vulnerable without Manupa Manmitha who is the only batsman to have averaged above 40. Osanda Pamuditha and Nemindu Akmeemana are the others to have averaged over 25 runs.
In the bowling department Malsha Fernando and Hasitha Jayarathna have over 70 wickets between them.
On paper, Nalanda captained by Sadew Samarasinghe are the slight favourites. Nalanda suffered two defeats this season and recorded two victories.
Both teams need big match heros if they are to last the full distance of this match which is played for three-days for the first time in history.
Nalanda are the holders of the Dr. N.M. Perera trophy. Ananda lead the victory tally 12-7.
Much like Afghanistan’s match against England, the political spectre over this clash is hard to put aside. Matches are rare between the countries with Australia – like England – taking a human rights stance and pledging to suspend bilateral ties while the Taliban remain in power.
Cricket Australia publicly demonstrated its commitment to the cause last month by hosting a T20 match featuring an Afghanistan women’s XI in Melbourne, bringing the issue firmly back into the spotlight.
But underlining the complexities of the issue, Australia do play Afghanistan at ICC events – which has led to some criticism – and this intriguing, budding rivalry will resume in Lahore with much at stake.
Given the tournament’s sharp format, it’s basically sudden death, a virtual quarter-final, after Afghanistan once again knocked out England from an ICC event.
But Afghanistan will be eliminated with a loss, while Australia also must win, with a defeat meaning they will have to rely on South Africa being absolutely pummelled by a beleaguered England with nothing to play for. A washout will see Australia through to the semi-final.
Australia and Afghanistan once again find themselves pitted in a high-stakes contest at an ICC event. At the 2022 T20 World Cup, Australia emerged with a slim six run victory in Adelaide that was ultimately not the net-run-rate boost needed as they crashed out early on home soil.
Glenn Maxwell, of course, changed the course of the 2023 World Cup with a remarkable double century that still beggars belief. But Afghanistan had some measure of revenge at last year’s T20 World Cup as they overcame a brief Maxwell onslaught with a 21 run victory that memorably sealed their place in the semi-finals.
And, once again, a semi-final spot is up for grabs. The form line is a little hard to read with both teams having tight wins over a wheezing England. Afghanistan bounced back strongly after a disastrous opening against South Africa while Australia’s momentum came to a halt after their clash against the Proteas was washed out.
Even though they are considerably weakened – against England they fielded their least experienced attack at an ICC ODI event since 1983 – Australia mustered up their big-game pedigree under pressure to make a statement. Their batting line-up still contains plenty of firepower with centurion Josh Inglis emerging as a genuine star batter across formats. It is little wonder that some believe he’s Australia’s next captain.
A back against the wall triumph is in play, but Australia will have to firstly get past rising Afghanistan in a game that feels evenly poised. Afghanistan will lean on their spin-heavy attack, but Australia do have numerous players adept against the turning ball – led by Inglis.
Australia’s depleted pace stocks makes that department more equally matched than previous encounters, while an in-form Ibrahim Zadran – coming off a Champions Trophy-best score of 177 – ensures he can go toe-to-toe with his counterparts.
The prospect of more bad weather in Lahore could also play a factor in a clash that is set to be just as compelling as the recent matches between these teams.
There isn’t much cricket history between the countries, but Glenn Maxwell is probably the first name that springs to mind with this match-up. In the last ODI between the teams, a hobbled Maxwell produced one of the greatest ever innings to rescue Australia from the brink at the 2023 World Cup and crush the hearts of Afghanistan. Maxwell enters this match in great form having put the finishing touches against England after a brilliant end to the BBL season. It will be interesting to see if his presence at the crease spooks Afghanistan, who are adamant they haven’t devoted too much of their plans on him.
While Afghanistan’s slew of quality spinners deservedly attracts plenty of attention, seam bowling allrounder Azmatullah Omarzai stole the show against England with his maiden five-wicket haul of his professional career. He was particularly superb at the death with three wickets when the game was on a knife’s edge. Omarzai’s emergence has helped Afghanistan better balance their attack and they are no longer merely reliant on their spinners for success. He’ll need to back up that performance against a formidable Australia batting-order and his canny, skiddy bowling will need to be on point against big-hitting openers Travis Head and Matthew Short. If he can strike early breakthroughs then Afghanistan will be right in the hunt.
Due to the inclement conditions, team lists weren’t even announced for the Australia-South Africa clash. It makes predicting Australia’s line-up somewhat difficult. The team is mostly settled, but they might be tempted to tweak their bowling attack that leaked 351 runs against England. Left-arm quick Spencer Johnson might be in the selection gun after he was overlooked for the death overs against England. But his pace and bounce could be a weapon against Afghanistan’s top order. Australia, who trained indoors on match eve, will also consider bowling allrounder Sean Abbott, who offers a point of difference and strengthens the batting, and legspinner Tanveer Sangha given Marnus Labuschagne’s part-time legspin played a role against England.
After such a momentous victory, Afghanistan are likely to go unchanged for the third straight game and back their spin strength in subcontinental conditions. The trio of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad will present considerable challenges for the Australians.
Australia (possible): Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (capt), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Sean Abbott/Spencer Johnson, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa
Afghanistan (possible): Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
[Cricinfo]
A close finish was in the offing. Gujarat Giants were stifled early in a small chase. Then came an expensive ninth over that went for three fours and a six as Ashleigh Gardner took on rookie Prema Rawat. It turned the scales the Giants way emphatically, as a tricky chase turned into a cruise.
It left RCB winless at home in three games so far this season. It also meant three sides – RCB, Giants and UP Warriorz – are now tied on four points. This lights up the prospect of a tight finish to the group stages next week in Lucknow and Mumbai.
She came into the tournament under a hip injury cloud, but her batting form didn’t seem to suggest any problem. Coming in on the back of 90*, 81, 7 and 57, Ellyse Perry was out for her first duck in her WPL career when she mistimed Gardner to Tanuja Kanwar at square leg off her fourth ball. That wicket coming on the back of Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s lbw in the first over to Deandra Dottin left RCB 16 for 2 in two overs.
It was an uneasy stay at the crease for Smriti Mandhana, repeatedly squared up and beaten on the outside edge by 21-year-old Kashvee Gautam, one of the brightest Indian fast-bowling prospects in WPL 2025. Mandhana struggled against late movement as Gautam’s first two overs went for just four. All that pressure led to a wicket at the other end when Mandhana was predictably out to spin yet again when she slog-swept Kanwar to Harleen Deol at deep midwicket for 10 off 20 balls.
During the season spent away at rehabilitation from a back injury last year, Kanila Ahunja set herself clear goals. She didn’t want to be known as a “five-ball batter” in the WPL anymore. She worked hard on her power game, shades of which were on display on Thursday as she laid into Priya Mishra, the legspinner.
She read the googly off the hand and her manner of stepping out to imperiously loft her twice in the over, including the first six of the innings, spoke volumes of her growth as a batter. Ahuja would repeat that two overs later when she stepped out to launch Gardner. Her 33 off 27 before falling to Kanwar led to another RCB slip-up. Georgia Wareham’s cameo of 20 then helped them to 125 for 7, their joint lowest total in the WPL.
Giants went with a third opening combination in five games. Dayalan Hemalatha, the latest to join the roulette, did little to repay the faith despite the backing following scores of 9, 0 and 4 in her precious three innings. Having been reprieved early when Wyatt-Hodge misjudged a catch at mid-off, she was out stumped looking to heave Renuka Singh for 11. Mandhana’s decision to bowl Renuka out up top paid dividends when Beth Mooney holed out to deep midwicket as Giants were reduced to 32 for 2 in the seventh.
A 19-run over off Rawat in the ninth turned the tide for the Giants as Gardner fed off Rawat’s inexperience, expertly using the depth of the crease to pull, while also showing her imperious driving abilities when the ball was tossed up. The surge in momentum was such that even Deol’s brain fade in trying to hit out against Wareham didn’t lead to any panic.
This didn’t affect her tempo or her propensity to be adventurous, which also greatly helped Gardner, who hit Wareham for back-to-back sixes en route to her third half-century of the season, this time off 28 balls. Gardner and Litchfield’s 51-run stand off just 36 ensured the match was won with 21 balls to spare, greatly helping Giants boost their net run rate even though they would stay fifth.
Brief scores:
Gujarat Giants Women 126 for 4 in 16.3 overs (Beth Mooney 17, Dayalan Hemalatha 11, Ashleigh Gardner 58, Phoebe Litchfield 30*; Renuka Singh 2-24, Georgia Wareham 2-26) beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women 125 for 7 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 10, Kanika Ahuja 33, Raghvi Bist 22, Georgia Wareham 20, Kim Garth 14; Deandra Dottin 2-31, Ashleigh Gardner 1-22, Kashvee Gautam 1-17, Tanuja Kanwar 2-16) by six wickets
[Cricinfo]
by Reemus Fernando
Deserving finalists of the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ tournament, St. Sebastian’s College will enter the landmark Battle of the Golds Big Match as favourites. The historic encounter against arch rivals Prince of Wales will commence at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa today as a three-day encounter.
The Sebs captained by Ryan Dissanayake recorded outright victories against Royal, Maris Stella and Maliyadewa in the tournament proper to reach the knockout stage where they beat St. Anthony’s Katugastota by four wickets and St. Joseph’s on first innings to book final berth. St. Sebastian’s have also registered an outright victory against St. Sylvester’s as well in a traditional encounter.
The Sebs are armed with the tournament’s highest wicket taker Malintha Silva in the spin department. Dissanayake has many bowling options in his armoury with Adesh Almeida, Shenas Hashen and Koshendra Fernando adding variety.
St. Sebastian’s College Team Seated from left: Kelum Perera (Physical trainer), Pasan Wanasinghe (Head Coach), Ryan Dissanayake (Captain), Rev.Fr. Daya Dharshana (Rector), Adesh Almeida (V. Capt.), Rev. Fr. Dilusha Chamara (Prefect of the Games), Kanishka Perera (Master in Charge), Sandaru Perera (Master in Charge), Mohamed Azhar (Asst. Coach). Standing from left: Sendinu Peiris, Ushen Silva, Navod Fernando, Adeesha Lakshan, Kaveesha Perera, Koshendra Fernando, Risinu Prabesh, Shenan De Silva, Akash Dissanayake, Shefan Fernando, Lashen Fernando, Malintha Silva, Meshone Ferdinando, Shenas Hashein.
Their strong batting lineup includes Ushen Silva, Kaveesha Perera, Dissanayake, Almeida, Lashen Fernando, Navod Fernando and Koshendra Fernando.
Cambrians skippered by Rivith Jayasuriya are a strong team though they have not celebrated much during the tournament proper.
They are likely to open their attack with Prasanna Lakmina and Naveen Fernando. In the spin department skipper Jayasuriya, Rusandu Silva, Prince Fernando and Nethul Anuhas will share most of the duties.
The Cambrians will rely on Jayasuriya and Palingu Perera to provide them with a strong start in the batting department. Suwahas Fernando, Nethul Anuhas and wicketkeeper batsman Deneth Sithumina have given them runs in the top order. Jayasooriya and Suwahas contributed with centuries during the league tournament.
With two strong team meeting, the 75th edition is set to produce a thrilling contest.
St. Sebastian’s who won their fourth Big Match last year trail 4-6.
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