The 93rd Battle of the Maroons kicked off at the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground yesterday (4). Ananda College won the toss and elected to ball first and Nalanda College posted 280 runs for 5 in their first innings. In reply, Ananda College were 41 for 1 at stumps on Day 1. 

The second Big Match of the season, after the Isipathana-Thurstan Big Match which took place last weekend, started off in a thrilling fashion. Nalanda College lost their first wicket in the second over when Kaveesha Imasha caught Yasiru Samarakoon plumb in front with the first ball. 

Sadew Samarasinghe also perished soon after for 11, putting Nalanda at 43 for 2 after 10 overs. This season’s highest run scorer Rusiru Vilochana got a solid start for the Nalandians but failed to capitalise on it. 

However, the defiant partnership came from Kushmitha Silva and Eranga Jayakodige. The pair added 124 runs in just 139 balls to shift the momentum in favour of the Nalandians. The chief destroyer in the partnership was Jayakodige, who scored 83 off 77 with three sixes and eight fours. 

Silva also reached the half-century before he was dismissed for 57. However, skipper Chanul Athukorala took on the mantle to push for a big score. They were cruising at 280 for 5 when the heavens opened and play was halted for more than an hour. 

Ananda College had a little more than an hour to see off before stumps. They lost opening batter Viduna Wijebandara cheaply in the fourth over. However, Kanchana de Livera and Ashinsa Nainayake made sure to get to stumps without any further damage. 

Brief scores

Nalanda College 280 for 5 (61)

Eranga Jayakodige 83, Kushmitha Silva 57, Chanul Athukorala 44*, Senesh Wijesinghe 40*, Rusiru Vilochana 32, Ayesh Sashimla 2/55, Kaveesha Imasha 2/61

Ananda College 65 for 1 (17.3)

Kanchana de Livera 33*