ANANDA COLLEGE COLOMBO 1ST XI CRICKET TEAM 2020: Front Row (from left): Janidu Jayawardene, Asanka Chandimal (Head Coach), Saviru Bandara (Vice Captain), T.M.P.B.A.U. Lakpriya (Prefect of Games), M.S.K. Gunathileke (Deputy Principal), S.M. Keerthirathne (Principal), Kanishka Ranthilakage (Captain), G.R.C. Perera (Deputy Principal), Jayasanka Unanthenna (Master In Charge), Sanjeewa Ranatunga (Consultant), Kalana Wijesiri.Back Row (from left): Maoshada Fernando, Anuda Jayaweera, Adheesha Perera, Nethma Karunaratne, Isuru Ayesh, Sanara Karunatunga, Deneth Nissanka, Chamod Seneviratne, Dasun Tharuka, Shenal Dassanayake, Hansaja Jayasinghe, Shashika Umayanga, Dileesha Seneth, Nushal Dharmaratne, Mineth Premaratne. Picture by Herbert Perera
Ananda College which has a proud cricketing history has failed to live upto expectations this season recording just three first innings wins and suffering four outright defeats against S. Thomas’, Royal, Trinity and St. Joseph’s in 14 matches but they are determined to give off their best in the 91st Battle of the Maroons against Nalanda College on March 7 and 8 at the SSC grounds.
Ananda field an average all round side with the services three coloursmen. Skipper Kanishka Ranthilakage has been their leading run getter with over 600 runs in 14 games. Nethma Karunaratne with 503 runs inclusive of a century and Janindu Jayawardena with a tally of 538 runs along with Anuda Jayaweera (408), Saviru Bandara (369) and Kalana Wijesiri (361)are others who have contributed to Ananda’s total during the season.
The Anandians boast of a fine spin attack spearheaded by 15-year-old left arm leg spinner Isuru Ayesh who has captured 53 wickets inclusive of three five-wicket hauls. He has been ably supported by off spinner Saviru Bandara with 32 wickets and right arm leg spinner Janindu Jayawardena who has captured over 25 wickets.
The three pronged pace attack comprises Sashika Umayanga, Deneth Nissanka and Dasun Tharaka. The Anandians last recorded victory in the Battle of the Maroons in 2003 under the leadership of Damindu Kularatne.
The Anandians are coached by Asanka Chandimal Hettiarachchi who has taken great pains during the last few days with the intention of moulding a strong team which would do well in the big match. He is assisted by former Sri Lanka Test cricketer and ex Ananda skipper Sanjeewa Ranatunga who is the team’s cricket consultant. They are receiving all the support and encouragement from Master-in-Charge of cricket Jayasanka Unanthenne and Principal S.M. Keerthiratne.
Ananda College has the proud distinction of producing Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup winning cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga who made the first half century for the country in Test cricket by scoring 54 in the inaugural Test against England at the P. Sara Stadium in 1982.
Another distinguished Anandian Brendon Kuruppu recorded the first double century for Sri Lanka in Test cricket when he made 201 not out against New Zealand at the CCC grounds in April 1987.
In addition two others have also gone onto captain the country in Test cricket Marvan Atapattu and Dinesh Chandimal.
0 comments:
Post a Comment