Sri Lanka Schools: Ananda favourites v Lumbini in 'Lemonade' final (1 May 1999)

1 May 1999

Sri Lanka Schools: Ananda favourites v Lumbini in 'Lemonade' final

Chris Dhambarage

Ananda with a superior allround side will have the edge when they take on the giant killers Lumbini MV in the Elephant Lemonade Cup knock out tournament final at the SSC grounds, Maitland Place on Sunday.

The Anandians who emerged runners-up in last years tournament will be determined to clinch the trophy having last won the title in 1993. This year they have maintained a fine record both in the League and knockout tournament and are confident of putting up another good performance.

They knocked out the League champions St. Peter's College in the quarterfinals and then defeated the defending champions S. Thomas' College in the semifinals quite convincingly. In contrast Lumbini MV had a tough semifinal fixture against Prince of Wales after having defeated St. Sylvester's College in the quarterfinals.

However Lumbini MV who have entered the final for the first time will be hoping to make it a memorable outing with another splendid effort on the field. This time they will be severely tested as they will be challenging a strong team with an awesome batting line up. Their key player is no doubt the Sri Lanka youth cap Ranil Dhammika who has already won the best bowlers award in the League tournament.

He has turned out to be quite effective in the limited over game too and has returned superb figures of 2 for 14 and 2 for 11 in the quarterfinal and semifinals respectively. But the Anandians have performed even better on their way into the final and are no doubt favourites to win the title.

Ananda (from): Jithendra Perera (captain), Thilina Kandambi, Lakshan Fernando, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Akalanka Ganegama, Maduranga Mallawarachchi, Mohamed Ramzi, Kasun Fernando, Eshan Abeysinghe, Dinusha Bandara, Lahiru Chaturanga, Nilantha Seneviratne, Sanjaya Bandara, Lahiru Senaratne, Rukshan Fernando.

Lumbini MV: Ranil Dhammika (captain), Manjula Priyantha, Nilakshan Abeyratne, Sajith Dilantha, Mohan Wickremasinghe, Sandun Senanayake, Dinusha Elvitigala, Chamara Lasantha, A.H. Krishantha, Upul Indrasiri, Mahesh Maduranga, Lasantha Ranesh, Nuwan Nilanka, Malinda Fernando, Samith Indimal.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)