Skipper Vidanage’s ton lift Nalanda
Having picked two crucial wickets before stumps on day one, Nalanda looked poised to put pressure on their opponents to dominate their 94th clash.
Nalanda College skipper Sajitha Vithanage played a brilliant captain’s knock--100 off 178 balls while Sadev Samarawickrema struck a half century to lift them to 277 for 8 declared in their 94th Battle of the Maroons cricket counter against traditional rivals Ananda College at the SSC grounds yesterday.
At stumps on day one, Ananda, in reply, were 55 for 2 with both their openers back in the dressing room, owing to a brilliant bowling effort from Osanda Pamuditha.
After being put into bat first, Nalanda got off to a worse possible start losing their opener Nadul Jayalath for a seven-ball duck but Samarasinghe anchored the innings with a composed half-century. Samarasinghe's innings of 84 runs off 141 balls, comprising 11 boundaries, provided a solid foundation for Nalanda’s innings.
As the innings progressed, Nalanda continued to build partnerships, with the fourth-wicket pair of Samarasinghe and Vithanage adding 90 runs. Samarasinghe, in particular, exhibited excellent form, contributing significantly to his team's total.
After the lunch break, Nalanda resumed their innings with determination, and Vithanage took charge, reaching his fifty off 109 deliveries. Vithanage's innings provided impetus to Nalanda’s innings, supported by Osanda Pamuditha.
The fifth-wicket partnership between Vithanage and Pamuditha proved crucial, as they added a valuable 104 runs in 28.4 overs. Vithanage's innings flourished, reaching a brilliant century off 178 balls, decorated with eight boundaries and two sixes before Nalanda declared their innings after facing 78.3 overs.
Having picked two crucial wickets before stumps on day one, Nalanda looked poised to put pressure on their opponents to dominate their 94th clash.
For Ananda Ashinsa Nainayake shown with the ball returning figures of 3 for 80 while Kaveesha Mendis (2 for 47) and Yasanda Kiriella (2 for 33) claimed two wickets apiece. The match ends today.