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In Sri Lankan cricket, a Big Match is an annual school cricket match typically played between two rival schools in Sri Lanka. These schools often have a long history of competition, some rivalries lasting over a century. Big matches have become a significant part of modern Sri Lankan culture, involving both school children and adults.
Countries | Sri Lanka |
---|---|
Format | Test, One-Day and Twenty20 |
First edition | 1879 |
Latest edition | 2023 |
Next edition | 2024 |
Number of teams | 34 (as of 2023) |
Most successful | Battle of the Blues (Colombo) (144 editions) |
TV | Dialog TV, Peo TV |
Website | ThePapare.com, Batsman.com |
2023 Big Matches |
The oldest known big match is the Royal–Thomian cricket encounter, played between S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia and Royal College, Colombo since 1879.[1][2]
Most big matches are played over two days. However, three notable Big Matches–the Battle of the Blues (Colombo), the Battle of the Blues (Matara) and the Battle of the North–are played over three days.[3][4]
History
editAnnual Big matches are played between two rival school cricket teams in Sri Lanka. Most of these matches are held at the end of the first school term, typically in March. Big Matches are not only competitions between schools but also serve as gatherings for alumni, known as "old boys." Many of these encounters have been played for several years, many over 100 years old.[5][6][7][8][9]
The Battle of the Blues (Colombo) is the oldest big match in Sri Lanka and has been played between Royal College, Colombo and S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia since 1879.[10]
The Hill Capital Battle of the Maroons has been played between Dharmaraja College, Kandy, and Kingswood College, Kandy. It is the oldest cricket match series in the central province and the second oldest in Sri Lanka, having been played since 1893.[11][12]
The Battle of the Blues (Matara) has been played between St. Thomas' College, Matara, and St. Servatius' College Matara since 1900.[13][14][15]
Over the years, many other Big Matches have been established.
List of Big Matches
editCurrent
editThe following is a list of Big Matches which are still held annually as of 2023.[5]
Former
editThe following is a list of Big Matches which are no longer held as of 2023.
Series | Rival Schools | First Edition | Last Edition | Refs. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Battle of the Centralions | Piliyandala Central College vs Wadduwa Central College | 1975 | 2000 | |
Battle of Dematagoda | St. John's College vs St. Mathew's College | 1976[c] | 2010s | [82][83][84] |
Battle of the Golds (Kandy) | Sri Rahula College vs Sri Sumangala College | 1981 | 2010s | [85][86][87] |
Battle of Kelaniya | Gurukula College vs Sri Dharmaloka College | 1988 | 2010s | [88][89][90] |
Friends Battle | Vidyaloka College,Galle vs Meepawala Amarasuriya College,Meepawala,Galle | 1998 | 2012 | [91] |
Battle of Two Cities (The F. R Alles Trophy) |
Rahula College vs St. Aloysius' College | 2004 | 2011 | [92][93][94] |
Battle of the Hindus | Jaffna Hindu College vs Kokuvil Hindu College | 2008 | 2010s | [95][96] |
Battle of the Golds (Ruhuna) | Weeraketiya Rajapaksha Central College vs Dickwella Vijitha Central College | 2010 | 2010s | [97][98][99] |
Battle of the Greens | Arethusa College vs T. B. Jayah Zahira College | 2012 | 2010s | [100][101][102] |
Nikitha Grero Challenge Trophy | Lyceum International School vs Lyceum International School | 2015 | 2019 |
[103] |
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ Big Match Fever 2010
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 26 November 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Amit, M. Shamil (18 March 2010). "St. Servatius – St. Thomas big match begins today". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 13 April 2013.
- ^ Fernando, Reemus (21 February 2010). "Battles from North to South". The Island (Sri Lanka).
- ^ a b Weerasinghe, Damith (23 February 2023). "Big Matches are BACK!". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ Trinity in command in Kandy’s Battle of the Blues
- ^ Rahal excels for Trinity in 104th Battle of the Blues
- ^ Trinity-Antonian Big Match on June 3 and 4
- ^ Battle of the Blues (Kandy)
- ^ a b Jayasuriya, Thushan (15 February 2013). "Etisalat powers 134th Battle of the blues". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ a b Marikar, Hafiz (25 March 2004). "98th 'Battle of the Maroons'; Little to choose between Dharmaraja and Kingswood". The Island (Sri Lanka).
- ^ a b "Kingswood - Dharmaraja L/O match at Pallekele".
- ^ a b Weerasekera, Janith (14 March 2010). "110th Ruhunu Battle of the Blues St. Servatius has edge over St. Thomas". The Nation (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ a b de Silva, Priyan (18 March 2012). "112th three-day 'Battle of Nilwala : St. Servatius vs St. Thomas' on March 23 to 25". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 24 June 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ a b de Silva, Priyan (22 February 2012). "St. Servatius looking to make an impression". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Jaffna Central beat St. John’s by 9 wickets
- ^ Mahadura, Gamini (14 March 2010). "Richmond looks to break Mahinda stranglehold". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
- ^ Wijesekera, Richmond (19 March 2010). "Lovers Quarrel: Richmond-Mahinda clash for 105th time". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 22 March 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Ratnaweera, Dhammika (14 March 2010). "105th Battle of the Lovers: Richmond-Mahinda evenly matched for a draw". The Nation (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Ratnaweera, Dhammika (3 February 2005). "Richmond-Mahinda centenary big match postponed". The Island (Sri Lanka).
- ^ "19th Battle of Blue and Gold on April 26-27". Daily News. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- ^ "Excitement Builds for the Blue and Gold Battle". Sports.lk. 20 April 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- ^ "Nugawela Central vs. Walala A. Rathnayake: A Historic Rivalry". Cricket.lk. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- ^ Pathiraja, Nimuthu; Senhas, Chaniru; Ananda Kumar, Rehan (27 April 2023). "In Retrospect of the Hill Country Battle of the Blues Trophy". Trinity College. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ Laphir, Afzal (20 April 2023). "Trinity–Antonian Encounters – A Statistical Analysis". Quadrangle. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ Laphir, Afzal (28 April 2023). "The Trinity–Antonian Limited Overs Series In Numbers". Quadrangle. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ Fernando, Reemus (23 February 2012). "Formidable St. Patrick's meet unpredictable Jaffna College". The Island (Sri Lanka).
- ^ "Cricket: St. Patrick's bat first against Jaffna College". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 24 February 2012. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013.
- ^ "Battle of Uva".
- ^ Bandara, Malinda Swarnamahal. "Hectic weekend for Big Matches". ThePapare.com.
- ^ Abeysekera, Nalin (4 March 2010). "Ananda Vs Nalanda: The most significant encounter this time". The Island (Sri Lanka).
- ^ Gamage, Yasaratne (3 March 2012). "Nalanda out to break 59-year hoodoo". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ "82nd Battle of the Maroons: Ananda on form but Nalanda will resist". The Nation (Sri Lanka). 27 February 2011.
- ^ Perera, Supun (11 March 2005). "Battle of the saints: Down memory lane of joe-pete (1933–2004)". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Amit, M. Shamil (23 February 2003). "69th "Battle of the Saints" on February 28 and March 1 Who will break the twenty four-year jinx?". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
- ^ Rathnayake, Samiddha (8 March 2009). "Time for a winning result". The Nation (Sri Lanka).
- ^ Amit, M. Shamil (11 March 2010). "60th Battle of the Gold's". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 7 February 2015.
- ^ Mendis, Dilwin (4 March 2012). "Keen contest expected in St. Sebastian's – Prince of Wales 'Big Match'". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Fernando, Reemus (9 March 2007). "57th 'Battle of the Golds' a star-studded show". The Island (Sri Lanka).
- ^ Mendis, Dilwin (11 March 2009). "59th Battle of the Golds on March 13 and 14: Cambrians and Sebs out to play positive cricket". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 15 March 2009.
- ^ "The cricketing tale of two cities". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 17 March 2019.
- ^ Razak, Rukshan (31 March 2011). "St. Sylvester's go out favourites". The Island (Sri Lanka).
- ^ Jezeem, U. J. (17 March 2012). "'Battle of the Babes' heading for a draw". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Minhaz, M. (11 March 2012). "Battle of the Babes a toss-up". The Nation (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Jayasundera, Upananda (23 March 2008). "Golden Jubilee 'Battle of the Babes' March 28 and 29". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Gamage, Yasaratne (24 February 2012). "Thurstan and Isipathana should play positive cricket". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Anandappa, Ranjan (27 January 2013). "Thurstan – Isipathana Golden Jubilee cricket match". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 25 March 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Amith, M. Shamil (24 February 2012). "Thurstan and Isipathana aiming to break hoodoo". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Senaratne, Vijitha (10 March 2005). "Two unbeaten teams will meet in 26th "Battle of the Rocks" at Kurunegala". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Pothuhera, Francis Warnakulasooriya (13 March 2009). "Maliyadeva to rock Annites". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ 53rd Battle of the Blues of Ambalangoda
- ^ St. Thomas’, Kotte meet Sri Jayawardenapura MV in the 44th Battle of Kotte
- ^ Matale’s Battle of the Golds tomorrow
- ^ "Article on the 12th Battle of the Hindus". 21 June 2023.
- ^ Perera, Herbert (2 April 1997). "Ananda Sastralaya-St. John's clash in seventh Big Match(2 Apr 1997)". ESPN Cricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
- ^ Fernando, Reemus (15 March 2012). "Royal has the edge: 20th 'Battle of the Greens'". The Island (Sri Lanka).
- ^ Amit, M. Shamil (18 March 2004). "14th Battle of the Greens at Panadura: Royalists have edge over Johnians". Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Amit, M. Shamil (29 March 2009). "Royal coast to six wicket victory". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
- ^ Joseph, Marcus (22 March 1998). "All eyes will be on Chamara Silva". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
- ^ "Tame draw at Horana". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 18 March 2012.
- ^ "Roshan,Dilshan, Chamith half tons". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 17 March 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ "Tharusha, Sethika shine in drawn match".
- ^ Battle of the Greens in Kurunegala
- ^ Pothuhera, Francis Warnakulasooriya (25 March 2011). "Battle of Wayamba begins today". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 12 January 2013.
- ^ Senaratne, Vijitha (24 March 2011). "Wayamba Royal meets Sir John Kotalawela M V". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 28 February 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Sanjeewa, Kanishka (25 March 2023). "Mahanama takes honors in the drawn 17th Battle of the Golds encounter". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
- ^ Sakkitha, Chanaka (25 March 2023). "Asoka takes honors in the drawn 16th Battle of the Rathran encounter". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
- ^ Aravinda, Pubudu (14 February 2013). "Battle of Golden Lions in Moratuwa". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ "Battle of the Golden Lions ends in tame draw". 31 March 2018.
- ^ Seagulls play cricket
- ^ "Battle of the Lords Cricket Encounter 2023 Summary". cricheroes.com. 24 March 2023.
- ^ "3rd Battle of the Lords ends in a draw at Ratnapura". The Island. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
- ^ "Battle of the Blues and Maroons". ceylontoday.lk/. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Drawn match at Horana
- ^ Royal College, Horana
- ^ Siri Piyarathana MV, Padukka
- ^ a b "Daily News". 10 March 2023. p. 1.
- ^ "Battle of The Blazing Blues". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ Royal College, Polonnaruwa
- ^ Anuradhapura Central College, Anuradhapura
- ^ Fernando, Reemus (16 March 2007). ""Battle of Dematagoda" commences again". The Island (Sri Lanka).
- ^ "St Mathews and St John's clash tomorrow". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 24 March 2012. Archived from the original on 27 May 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ "Battle of Dematagoda on March 27". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 26 March 2011. Archived from the original on 1 April 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Razak, Rukshan (6 April 2009). "Battle for Yasaratne Tennekoon trophy begins today". The Island (Sri Lanka).
- ^ Abdeen, S.M. Jiffrey (21 March 2007). "Sri Sumangala-Sri Rahula clash in 15th Battle of the Golds". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Abdeen, S. K. Jiffrey (3 April 2005). "15th Sri Rahula vs Sri Sumangala April 9 and 10". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Fernando, Reemus (22 March 2010). "'Battle of Kelaniya' from tomorrow". The Island (Sri Lanka).
- ^ Anushka Withanage; Edward Weerasinghe (19 March 2010). "Battle of Kelaniya: Dharmaloka-Gurukula meet for 22nd time". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Ratnaweera, Dhammika (21 March 2010). "22nd Battle of Kelaniya: A barren series of draws". The Nation (Sri Lanka).
- ^ https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20120223/294660527966963,
- ^ Mahadura, Gamini (12 March 2010). "St. Aloysius have edge over Rahula". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Priyan de Silva; A. W. Gunawardena (22 March 2011). "Battle of two cities on March 25 and 26". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Miranda, Sujitha (11 November 2012). "St. Aloysius Galle is reaching the top without any doubt". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
- ^ "Jaffna's Battle of the Hindus today". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 30 April 2010. Archived from the original on 4 May 2010.
- ^ Mike, Tony (4 March 2012). "Fifth Battle of the Hindus drawn". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ de Silva, P. D. (21 March 2012). "Vijitha has edge in third golden battle of Ruhuna at Sooriyawewa". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ de Silva, Priyan (23 March 2012). "Vijitha has the edge in third Golden Battle of Ruhuna". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ de Silva, P. D. (27 March 2011). "'Golden Battle of Ruhuna' ends in draw". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
- ^ "Inaugural 'Battle of the Greens' on May 19". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 13 May 2012.
- ^ Amith, M. Shamil (18 May 2012). "Arethusa, T B Jayah Zahira clash in first Big Match". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ "Battle of the Greens today". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 19 May 2012. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ "Lyceum revs up for 4th Annual Cricket Big Match". The Papare (Sri Lanka). 14 February 2019.
External links
edit- Big Matches at ThePapare.com