Nalanda in strong position against Dharmaraja

Nalanda College, Colombo were in a very strong position in their Bandula Warnapura Trophy schools cricket match against Dharmaraja College which began at Lake View Grounds, Kandy yesterday. The match will be continued today at 10 am.

The Nalandians who are the present holders of the trophy batting first made 190 in 63.1 overs. Dilan Samaraweera top scored with an elegant 53 with 8 fours.

The Rajans in reply were in a poor way with the scoreboard reading 62 for 7 when stumps were drawn. They have to make a further 28 runs with three wickets in hand to avoid the follow on.

As matters stand the Nalandians look set to retain the Bandula Warnapura Trophy for another year unless there is a dramatic turn of events with the Rajans tail enders wagging their tail and the Nalandians crumbling in the second innings.

For Nalanda right arm off spinner Malinga de Silva was in a destructive mood and has so far captured 5 for 19.

Nalanda College 190 all out in 63.1 overs (Yoshantha Silva 26, M. Jayakoddy 48, Avishka de Silva 38, Dilan Samaraweera 53, Nuwan Karunaratne 2 for 16, Chandimal de Silva 2 for 31, Lakshan de Silva 2 for 48)

Dharmaraja College 62 for 7 in 28 overs (Rameesh Ranasinghe 22, Nuwan Karunaratne 19 not out, Malinda de Silva 5 for 19, Kusal Dias 2 for 5).