High scoring 96th ‘Battle of the Maroons’ ends in draw

The 96th Battle of the Maroons three-day big match between Ananda and Nalanda ended in a draw yesterday while batsmen dominated from both schools during the three days at the SSC grounds.

Nalandian Mihin Soyza

celebrating his fifty

Ananadian opener Nethula Edirimanne stroked highest individual total of the series on the first day scoring 165 which guided them to build up 353 for 8 wickets declared in their first innings. Nalandians made a strong reply posting the highest team total of 424 for 8 wickets declared in their first innings.

Ananda opener Danindu Sellapperuma who scored 96 celebrating his fifty.

Nemindu Akmeemana hit superb knock of 142 in 245 balls with 16 fours and 2 sixes followed by Mihin Zoysa with a knock of 119 in 214 balls with 11 fours and a six and this pair added 166 runs remarkable fifth wicket stand. Nalanda skipper Oshada Pamuditha scored 90-ball 55 with 6 fours. Two Nalandian centurions anchored their innings to post a first innings lead .

Ananda skipper Kithma Withanapathirana was the successful bowler taking 3 for 83.

Ananda in their second innings made 170 for 6 wickets declared to have 99 runs lead. Opener Danindu Sellapperuma played an anchor role in the Ananda second innings but was unfortunately out four runs away his well deserved century as Nadul Jayalath took a catch at slip off the bowling of Osanda Pamuditha who ended the innings with figures of 2 for 37.

Skipper Kithma Withanapathirana hit quick 33 runs in 38 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes also added 72 runs fourth wicket stand with Sellapperuma. Nalanda were 8 for no loss in two overs at close of the game with another batsmen dominated drawn tree-day big match encounter. Nalanda skipper Pamuditha showed good all round performance scoring 55 runs followed by a match bag of six wickets. This was the first time three centuries were recorded (one from Ananda, 2 from Nalanda) in this big match series organised by the two schools’ joint organising committee.