Colombo, Mar 2, 7.55PM – Nalanda College’s captain, Sajitha Vithanage, made history on the first day of the 94th Battle of the Maroons cricket match against Ananda College. He scored a century, becoming the first captain in nine years to achieve this feat in the match’s history. The match, played for the Dr NM Perera Memorial Trophy, took place at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds in Colombo.
Nalanda College batted first and scored 277-8 declared in 78.2 overs. By stumps, Ananda College, in reply, were 55-2 in 11.5 overs, trailing by 222 runs. Ananda College needs to avoid being dismissed under 127 runs in their first innings to prevent following on.
Nalanda College put up a tremendous performance, surpassing their target of 250 runs and taking two wickets of Ananda College. Left-arm pace bowler Osanda Pamuditha played brilliantly, taking crucial wickets. The day’s play ended a bit early due to bad light, with one over remaining.
Sajitha Vithanage, the centurion and captain of Nalanda College, expressed his joy at scoring a century as a captain after nine years. He mentioned their target was to score more than 250 runs and they achieved that while also putting pressure on Ananda College by taking two wickets.
In the morning session, Nalanda College scored 124 runs but lost three wickets to Ananda College bowlers. They built strong partnerships in the middle order, including a 104-run stand for the fifth wicket between Sajitha Vithanage and Osanda Pamuditha. Before that, Sajitha was involved in a 90-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Sadew Samarasinghe, who scored 84 runs.
In a remarkable feat, Nalanda College’s captain, Sajitha Vithanage, scored a century with two sixes and nine fours off 177 balls. This achievement makes him the first Maroons captain to accomplish this since Ananda College’s captain, Sammu Ashan, scored 114 in 2015. The innings concluded with Nalanda declaring at 277-8 in 78.2 overs.
After declaring, Nalanda College opened the bowling with Osanda Pamuditha, who troubled Ananda College’s batsmen with his outswingers. Ananda College lost their opener Danindu Sellaperuma lbw to Osanda in the very first over.
Ananda College managed to put on 45 runs for the second wicket before Kanchana de Livera was also trapped lbw by Osanda. At stumps, Ananda College was 55-2 in 11.2 overs.
During the last session, 128 runs were scored with six wickets falling, four for Nalanda College and two for Ananda College. Osanda Pamuditha’s swing bowling was exceptional, causing trouble for Ananda College’s batsmen.
Chief scores:
Nalanda College 1st innings: 277-8 dec in 78.2 overs (Sajitha Vithanage 100 n.o, Sandew Samarasinghe 84, Osanda Pamuditha 31, Manupa Manmitha 24, Ashinsa Nainayake 3-76, Yasandu Kiriella 2-33, Kaveesha Mendis 2-51)
Ananda College 1st innings: 55-2 in 11.2 overs (Kanchana de Livera 33, Dinada Athalage 13 n.o, Osanda Pamuditha 2-12).
