Dialog powered Battle of the Maroons 2021 today
Big match fever takes over the cricket pitch today (April 3) as the Battle of Maroons, the annual cricket encounter between Ananda College and Nalanda College played for the late P. de S. Kularathne Trophy, powered by Dialog Axiata PLC, will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
The encounter will be a Limited Over affair and is played from last year’s pending list of School Big Matches that were either called off or abandoned. Ananda College will be led by all-rounder Saviru Bandara, while Nalanda College will play under the captaincy of Raveen de Silva.
Having taken into consideration the improving COVID-19 health situation as well as the recent Government circular permitting the resumption of some sports, including cricket, the Principals of both schools have taken a decision to proceed with the plans for playing the Battle of the Maroons in consultation with the Joint Match Organising Committee (JMOC).
The relevant Government authorities have granted permission for the match to be played with specific guidelines to be adhered by the organisers. Consequently, the match will be played behind closed doors, without any spectators. Further, the two teams and match officials will be following all COVID-19 protocol and health and safety guidelines as the safety of the school boys will be of paramount importance.
At present Ananda leads this match series with 12 wins, while Nalanda has 6 matches under its belt. Ananda and Nalanda colleges, the two premier Buddhist schools in Sri Lanka, have so far produced the highest number (more than 55) of national cricketers - including six of them – the late Bandula Warnapura, Arjuna Ranatunga, Roshan Mahanama, Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardena and Dinesh Chandimal –having the honour of leading the country.
It is worth noting that the first Test cricket captain of the country, the late Bandula Warnapura, was a proud product of Nalanda College, while Arjuna Ranatunga, who led the Sri Lankans in the famous World Cup victory in 1996, hails from Ananda. The match will be shown live on Dialog Television channel number 140.
Dialog Axiata is the sponsor of Sri Lanka cricket, volleyball, netball and Esports teams. The establishment also has a close association with the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, Junior Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tourneys, Schools Rugby, Premier Football and Paralympic sports by powering the Army Para Games, National Para Games and the Sri Lankan contingent to the World Paralympic Games.