Records galore in run-fest at Battle of the Maroons

The 96th Battle of the Maroons played for Dr. N.M. Perera Memorial Trophy contested as a 3-day encounter for the 2nd consecutive year ended in an exciting record breaking draw at the SSC on Sunday (1). Three days of superb positive display of cricket was witnessed by everyone gathered at the newly baptised ICC T20 World Cup venue. Nalandian retained the trophy at Campbell Place since their last win in 2022. Ananda leads the win tally 12-7.

The match could have almost gone down in history for recording four centuries in a game, however it was missed in a close call as Danindu Sellapperuma was out for 96 runs in the latter part of day-3. Last year the series saw its first 3-day game which ended in a high scoring draw even though rain hampered all three days.

This year’s game saw an absolute run-fest. Both Ananda and Nalanda batters mesmerised the crowd with real zeal and four batters stood out from the rest. 

Nethula Edirimanne of Ananda (165 runs) became the highest ever individual run-scorer in the history of Battle of the Maroons surpassing Shantha Kalavitigoda’s (Nalanda) record of 149 (set in 1997) to create history. Later Nalanda’s time came as Nemidu Akmeena (142) and Mihin Zoysa (119) set a benchmark for generations to come in a 166-run partnership which took them to 400+. Nemidu is the brother of former Wesley College 2018 skipper Thisuraka Akmeemana. 

P. de. S. Kularatne Trophy for the one-day encounter will be battled out on Saturday 7 March at the SSC. It will be a historic game as the Battle of the Maroons will see its maiden limited overs game played under flood lights.

Brief scores

Ananda College 353/8 d (91.4 ov): Nethula Edirimanne 165, Osanda Pamuditha 4/74 &

170/6d (42 ov): Danindu Sellapperuma 96, Dunith Anusara 3/30

Nalanda College 424/8 d (122.1 ov): Nemidu Akmeena 142, Mihin Zoysa 119, Kithma Withanapathirana 3/84

8/0 (2 ov): Gevindu Manamperi 7*

Result: Match drawn (Nalanda College retained the trophy)

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Special Awards - 96th Battle of the Maroons

Fastest 50 – Danindu Sellapperuma (AC) 

Most boundaries – Danindu Sellapperuma (AC)

Best partnership – Nemidu Akmeena & Mihin Zoysa – 166 runs (NC)

Strongest Link – Nemidu Akmeena & Miihin Zoysa (NC)

Most sixers – Kithma Withanapathirana (AC) and Nemidu Akmeena (NC)

Quality player of the match – Osanda Pamuditha (NC)

Best Performance (2nd innings) – Danindu Sellapperuma (AC) 

Record breaker award – Nethula Edirimanne (AC) – 165 (batting record)

Best batsman – Nemidu Akmeena (NC)

Best bowler – Osanda Pamuditha (NC)

Best fielder – Gevindu Manamperi (NC)

Player of the match – Nethula Edirimanne (AC) 

Source  - The Morning