Nalanda in box seat

• Published date: 08 March 2020
• Publication title: Sunday Times

A swashbuckling unfinished fifth wicket partnership of 159 runs coming off in 20.5 overs by Raveen De Silva (100*) and Rashan Dissnanayake (77*) and a fine opening bowling spell by Jithesh Wasala highlighted the first day' play of the 91st Battle of the Maroons-Ananda Nalanda cricket encounter at the SSC Grounds yesterday.

Ananda skipper Kanishka Ranthilakage's gamble of inviting Nalanda to bat first misfired as Nalanda posted a healthy 307 for 4 and in reply Ananda were fighting for survival with 79 for 5 at the end of the day.

Ananda fast bowlers capitalised the early life of the SSC wicket as Nalanda openers skipper Avishka Perera and Ranidu De Silva slowly and steadily putting on 52 runs for the first wicket. Perera was first to go gifting the his wicket to a loose shot for 26. Ranidu De Silva and Chamindu Wijesinghe put on 37 runs for the second wicket while Wijesinghe and Raveen...