There will not be any favourites when the Battle of the Blues cricket encounter between Royal College and S. Thomas’ College best known as the blue ribbon of schools cricket will be played for the 145th year at the SSC ground at Maitland Place on March 7, 8 and 9.
This game is played for the DS Senanayake Memorial Shield and they also play a one-day encounter for the Mustang’s Trophy on March 16 at the same venue.
This encounter is sponsored by Dialog Axiata for the 19th time and according to the organizers played to generate funds that will go towards uplifting the game among schools across Sri Lanka.
This program initiated by Dialog will pledge Rs. 1,000 for every run scored and Rs. 10,000 for every wicket taken and the money raised according to the organizers will be used to donate cricket equipment to deserving schools throughout the country.
Organisers claim last year’s encounter raised Rs. 1.1 million and the money was donated in consultation with the principals of the two schools.
Launching the Battle of the Blues match on Wednesday at a media function at the BMICH, the two schools donated cricket equipment to four schools, Aselapura MV, Bakamuna Central, Debarawewa National School and Okkampitiya National School.
S. Thomas’ College will be led by Mahith Perera while Sineth Jayawardena will lead Royal College this year.
Royal is leading the current tally with 36 wins while S. Thomas’ has 35 wins. Royal won it last year and the encounter has been played for the past 144 years without a break.
“It has drawn crowds on a large scale and will be impossible for the two schools to organize this event without the labour of love to ensure the best possible conditions for the two teams to play some good cricket and supporters to have a great time watching it”, said the Warden of S. Thomas’ Rev. Marc Billimoria.
“One of my friends who came from overseas asked me what is all this fuss over this cricket match. He had not experienced anything like the Royal-Thomian before. After having seen the first day’s play he said, I saw it but I can’t believe it. I’ve never seen anything like this before, he said,” said Rev Billimoria.
“There is always high expectations from the two teams as there is so much rivalry, camaraderie and partying that it’s not just a cricket match. Hope both teams will enjoy the game that you have played from the time you were little boys”, he added.
Principal of Royal College Thilak Wattuhewa said that this is the first time that he is experiencing the Royal-Thomian cricket encounter since assuming duties as principal of the school.
“This is an annual event we can be proud of as sport is a critical part of education in moulding children and presenting them to society as good citizens,” said Waththuhewa.
