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.