83rd encounter against Ananda on March 3 and 4:

No wins in last 59 years, can Nalanda change tide this year?

By Ananda KANNANGARA

ANANDA-NALANDA: Can, Nalanda end their 59-year-old winless run, as a win in the 'big' series is long overdue for them when they meet their traditional rivals Ananda for the 83rd occasion in the 'Battle of the Maroons' cricket encounter on March 3rd and 4th at the SSC grounds.

Nalanda last won in 1953 under W.W. Silva and Ananda in 2003. Ananda has won 14 matches while Nalanda has won only 5 in the 82-year long history of this encounter.

There are lot of speculations to say that the two captains Koshan Danushka (Nalanda) and Pasindu Madushan (Ananda) who have excelled as top allrounders, will hold the key in the outcome of the match. Nalanda skipper and off-spinner Koshan Danushka has proved his allround capabilities beyond doubt by scoring a century and six 50s and claiming 60 wickets for the season.

On the other hand, Ananda skipper and off-spinner Pasindu Madushan has scored 735 runs with a top score of 111 and three half-centuries. His spin bowling has given him over 90 wickets.

Pitch preparation needs careful attending

Ananda coach Lucky Rogers Fernando feels that the pitch preparation in most schools is disheartening for the fast bowlers which is certainly not a good sign for the future. However, the SSC pitch has a history of assisting the medium pacemen in the first hour or so and has the tendency of taking spin during the latter stages of the match. In this aspect the two captains Koshan Danushka(Nalanda) and Pasindu Madushan (Ananda) with a harvest of wickets with their off-spin could make the difference in the outcome of the match .Madushan also has the advantage of having a left-arm spinner Isuru Gunasekera who has taken 40 wickets.

Nalanda coach Tharanga Dammika - a former Nalanda player who played under Mahela Jayawardene was confident that his side would perform well. He said that once the batsmen post the runs on the board, there is a variety of bowlers to insert pressure on the opposition batsmen.

Not much difference between teams

Considering the performance of the two schools this season, there is not much of a difference in the manner in which they have fared. Nalanda has played 17 matches and won 2 and lost to St. Sebastian's while the Anandians have won three and has lost to St. Benedict's and Prince of Wales.

For Ananda, openers Danuka Madushan and Geeshan Wimaladharma have been among the runs,both exceeding the 600 run mark. Skipper Madushan, like his vis -a- vis Koshan Danushka (Nalanda), has displayed fine allround qualities and both seem to be players for the future. Nalanda openers Oshantha Silva and Manula Jayasekera too, have been impressive with the bat, both going beyond the 450 run mark. For Nalanda, one drop bat Kusal Dias is more than a useful medium pacer, taking 46 wickets including a hat-trick against Mahinda College. Ishan Rangana - the deputy skipper with 900 runs including three centuries and seven 50s has also taken 33 catches in many positions. Their middle order looks sound with batsmen of the calibre of Lahiru Wijeratne, Lahiru Jayakody (750 runs), Koshan Danushka, Malinga Vimukthi and Pramuth Hettiawatte.

Shantha Kalavitigoda of Nalanda holds the highest individual batting record 149 n.o in 1997. He broke the previous record of 146 n.o by Roshan Mahanama in 1984. In 1994, Ananda's Thilina Kandamby (144) top scored for his school. Yohan Gunasekera (Nalanda) has the best bowling figures in the series, taking 8 for 32 in 1976.

Ananda College: Danuka Madushan, Geeshan Wimaladharma, Kushil Perera, Pasindu Madushan, (Captain), T. Athulathmudali, Thushara Samarakoon, Ushan Gunatileka, Sisuru Samarasinghe, Venuka Ashan, Isuru Gunasekera, Tiran Wijesooriya.

Nalanda College (From): Koshan Danushka (Captain), Ishan Rangana (V.Capt.), Kusal Dias, Lahiru Wijeratne, Lahiru Jayakody, Nikila Weerasinghe, Oshantha Silva, Manula Jayasekera, Malinga Vimukthi, Pramuth Hettiawatte, Gihan Wickremarachchi, Avishka de Silva, Kanchana Gunawardena, Udara Weerasinghe, Senura Amarasinghe.