The 94th battle of maroons annual cricket match between Sri Lanka's leading pasal duo, Ananda and Nalanda Dewiduhal, will be held tomorrow (2nd) and the next day (3rd) at S. Colombo. S. C. All activities have been prepared to be held on the field.
The battle of maroons started in 1924, and Ananda has won 12 of the 93 matches that have been played so far. The number of matches that Nalanda has won so far is 7 and the other matches have ended without a win or a loss. Sri Lanka's premier The two Buddhist schools, Ananda Vidyalaya and Nalanda Vidyalaya, have the honor of producing the highest number of cricketers who have represented Sri Lanka in international cricket.
The late Bandula Warnapura, Arjuna Ranatunga, Roshan Mahanama, Mawan Athapattu, Mahela Jayawardena and Dinesh Chandimal were honored to lead the Sri Lankan cricket team. Bandula Warnapura, who was born in Nalanda, was the first test cricket captain in Sri Lanka, while Arjuna Ranatunga, who led the Sri Lankan team to victory in the World Cup in 1996, is a Southerner who joined cricket from Ananda.
Nalanda Vidyalaya is headed by Sajitha Withanage and Minod Kaldera is the vice-captain. Nalanda has high hopes for Sadev Samarasinghe, Manupa Manmita, Risitha Jayaratne, captain Sajitha Withanage, vice-captain Minod Kaldera, Osanda Pamuditha, Thisara Devdunu and Hasith Ratnayake.
Nalanda team has won 2 matches and lost 1 match in 9 matches so far this season. Ananda Vidyalaya is headed by Iruth Gimshan and supported by Ashishna Nainayake as vice-captain. Kanchana de Livera, Kitma Withanapathirana, captain Iruth Gimshan, vice-captain Ashish Nainayak, Kaweesha Mendistha Ayesh Shashimal and Sri Lankan youth cricketer right-arm pacer Ruvishan Perera have high expectations.Ananda has participated in 12 matches so far this season, out of which they have won only one match and lost 2 matches.
Nalanda College Squad: Sajitha Withanage (Captain), Minod Kaldera (Vice-Captain), Sadev Samarasinghe, Thisara Devdunu, Osanda Pamuditha, Manupa Manmita, Risath Jayaratne, Manasa De Silva, Hasitha Ratnayake, Nadul Jayalath, Sanitu Wijeratne, Nadul Jayalath, Sanitu Wijeratne, Tahanchi Wijeratne, Ranuga Wattuheva, Minev Paranavithana, Timath Herath, Satmina Serasinghe, Punsara Rajakaruna,Mr. Kapila Nandakumara (Dr. in Charge of Cricket), Mr. Monishan Kularathna (Assistant Dr. in Charge of Cricket), Mr. Prasanna Dahanayake (Head Coach), Mr. Punyakantha Abeygunasekara (Assistant Coach)
Ananda College Squad: Iruth Gimshan (Captain), Ashish Nayanayake (Vice-Captain), Kanchana De Livera, Danindu Sellaperuma, Ruvishan Perera, Ayesh Shashimal, Kitma Withanapathirana, Kenul De Soyza, Kaweesha Mendis, Yasandu Kiriella, Dinada Athalage, Lithma Perera, Daniru Ranasinghe, Minaga Perera, Rashan Dilaksha, Mihin Munasinghe,Mr. Saman Hettiarachi (Dr. in Charge of Cricket), Mr. Wasantha Indika (Dr. in Charge of Cricket), Mr. Janudika Shriapala (Head Coach), Mr. Sanjay Devapura (Assistant Coach), Mr. Rajiva Krishan (Assistant Coach)
