93rd Battle of the Maroons to be held this weekend!

The 93rd Battle of the Maroons between Sri Lanka’s two premier Buddhist schools, Ananda College and Nalanda College, will take place on March 4 and 5 at the SSC Grounds in Colombo.

This is the first time in two years that the cricket match is being held without any COVID-19 restrictions.

Nalanda College won the two-day match after 69 years and secured the Dr. N. M. Perera Trophy in last year’s encounter.

The last time Ananda players won a two-day match was in 2003 under the captaincy of Duminda Kularathne.

The two schools have been playing against each other since 1924 and only 19 matches have ended with a decision.

Accordingly, out of the 92 matches played so far, Ananda College has won 12 matches while Nalanda College has won seven matches. 

Ananda Team

Ananda College will be led by right-arm fast bowler and third-year player Nethma Samaraweera. 

The team: Nethma Samaraweera (Captain), Iruth Gimshan (Vice-Captain), Isuru Weerasuriya, Ayesh Shashimal, Vilash Karunaratne, Viduna Wijebandara, Yehan Gunasinghe, Ashinsa Nainayake, Kaveesha Mendis, Pulindu Kiriella, Kithma Vidanapathirana, Maleesha Perera, Kanchana De Livera, Ruvishan Perera, Dinada Athalage, Kenula de Soyza, Janudika Shriapala (Head Coach), Sanjaya Devapura (Assistant Coach)

Nalanda Team

Nalanda College is led by right-handed batsman Chanul Athukorala, who is a fourth-year coloursman.

The team: Chanul Athukorala (Captain), Sajitha Withanage (Vice-Captain), Eranga Jayakodi, Minod Caldera, Kushmitha Silva, Yasiru Samarakoon, Rusiru Vilochana, Janula Indusara, Sadev Samarasinghe, Senesh Wijesinghe, Akesh Manoratne, Thisara Devdunu, Sathmina Serasinghe, Risath Jayaratne, Osanda Pamuditha, Thimath Herath, Malinga Surappulige (Head Coach), Ruwan Dissanayake (Assistant Coach)