Chanul puts Nalanda in command

Chanul Athukorala (88), drives one through the off side. Pix by (Wasitha Patabendige)

Chanul Athukorala made a fighting knock of 88 in 89 balls with 10 fours and 3 sixes as Nalanda posted a challenging total of 289 for 9 wickets declared while Ananda were struggling at 69 for 5 wickets at stumps in their 92nd Battle of the Maroons cricket encounter which kicked off at SSC grounds yesterday.

Chanul Athukorala, batting at number six, was the hero of the Nalanda innings on day 1 as he struck a superb knock to build up a strong innings. Athukorala, a right-hander, also added a valuable 75-run eight-wicket stand with Dineth Samaraweera who scored 33 in 27 balls with 5 fours. The openers of the Nalanda team, Rusiru Vilochana (25) and Yasiru Samarakoon (23) added a solid opening partnership of 50 runs to lay the foundation for a competitive total. Experienced two batsmen Vinuja Ranpul (23 in 27 balls with 4 fours) while last year’s skipper and Big Match Centurian, Raveen de Silva (40 in 49 balls with 4 fours) both wickets were taken by Anandian right medium paceman Pulindu Kiriella but leg spinner Shakthi Udara was the most successful bowler who finished with 5 for 90 in 19.2 over-spell.

Ananda openers Lakshitha Kularatne (4 in 13 balls) and Nushal Dharmarathne (4 in 7 balls) were unable to make a good start while experienced all-rounder Vinuja Ranpul made an early breakthrough to take both wickets during the first five overs of the innings. The skipper Nethma Karunaratne who has scored a thousand runs this season was bowled out for 16 runs by Dineth Samaraweera. His innings included four boundaries. At one stage, Ananda were in deep trouble at 35/5.

However, Iruth Gimshan played a responsible innings scoring 30 in 53 balls with 4 fours while Pulindu Kiriella played a supporting role scoring (7 n.o.) in 33 balls and adding a 34-run stand for the sixth wicket at end of day 1.

Vinuja Ranpul was the successful bowler for Nalanda finishing with 3 for 15 in his eight-over spell.

Chief scores

Nalanda: 289 for 9 wickets declared (Rusiru Vilochana 25, Yasiru Samarakoon 23, Vinuja Ranpul 23, Raveen de Silva 40, Kushmitha Silva 17, Chanul Athukorala 88, Eranga Jayakody 23, Dineth Samaraweera 33, Shakthi Udara 5/90, Pulindu Kiriella 3/57) Ananda: 69 for 5 wickets at close (Nethma Karunaratne 16, Iruth Gimshan30*, Vinuja Ranpul 3/15)