Big match cricket fever has hit Kandy and all the schools here are gearing up for the occasion. Some of the schools are still to find ground facilities, the schools that have no grounds play their big matches at Pallekele and Asgiriya. This time all schools are in good form and interesting matches are on the cards
Trinity – Antonian big match Battle of the Blues
This time the most looked forward game of the Antonians is the big match against Trinitians known as the Battle of the Blues of the Hill Capital which will be played on March15 and 16 for John Halangoda Memorial Trophy This is the sixth oldest big match in the country. The one day game is on March 23 at Katugastota for the Sir Richard Aluvihare Trophy. St. Anthony’s College is one of the oldest cricket playing schools in the country, cricket was introduced in 1903 by late Fr. Dom Andrew VanLangenberg OSB.
Dharmaraja – Kingswood game Battle of the Maroons, the Big Match in Kandy between Dharmaraja College and Kingswood College, for the 117th year is played for the TB Tennekoon Shield. Of the Encounters played so far Dharmaraja has won 36 while Kingswood has won 19 matches and rest of the encounters have ended in draws, They are ready for the big match still to set the date, which is going to be a close and interesting game with both sides blessed with good cricketers.
Vidyartha- St Sylvesters clash in 65th Battle of the Babes
St. Sylvester’s College vs Vidyartha College 65th big match called the battle of the “Babes” should be a close and an interesting match, with both teams evenly balanced. This match will take place in March at the Pallekele International Stadium.
Sylvestians leads the tally with 15 wins to Vidyartha’s 3 and the rest of the matches are drawn The talk in Kandy is can Vidyartha College break the 57 year old hoodoo? They last won in 1967 . This big match is played for the trophy in memory of Rev. Fr. Don George, who gave a big hand to start cricket at St.Sylvester’s. The trophy was introduced in 1982. They also play a one day and Twenty 20 game
Sri Rahula – Sri Sumanagala – Battle of the Golds
Kandy’s Battle of the Gold’s, which will be the 25th game between Wariyapola Sri Sumangala (St. Paul’s) College and Sri Rahula College, is expected to be played in the month of March. Sri Rahula College is one of Kandy’s oldest cricket playing schools. Wariyapola Sri Sumangala earlier known as St. Paul’s College has a long history. In Kandy today these two schools gives big support for cricket .This big match was not played for a few years over a dispute
The other big matches are between Madeena Central College and Al Azhar College, Teldeniya National School against D.S. Senanayake College and Nugawela Central College vs Walala A. Ratnayake Central College
