Big Match

Big Matches are annual cricket matches played between different schools in Sri Lanka. The same schools have played one another for many years, some for over a century, and Big Matches form an important part of modern Sri Lankan culture with both school children and adults taking part in much of the activity that is part of the annual matches.^[1]

Duration

Most big matches are played over two days. Three big matches – Royal–Thomian, St. Thomas-St. Servatius and Central-St. John – are played over three days.^[2][3]

List of Big Matches

Battle of the Rocks (2009)

Dharmaraja–Kingswood Cricket Encounter (2010)

1. Royal–Thomian: Royal College, Colombo v S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia (1879–present; also known as the Battle of the Blues; three-day match)^[4]
2. St. Thomas-St. Servatius: St. Thomas' College, Matara v St. Servatius' College (1900–present; previously known as the Battle of Nilwala or Battle of the Blues; also known as the Battle of Ruhuna; three-day match)^[5][6][7]
3. Battle of the North: Jaffna Central College v St. John's College, Jaffna (North) (1901–present; interrupted; also known as the Battle of the Blues; three-day match)^{[8][9][10][11]}
4. Richmond–Mahinda: Richmond College, Galle v Mahinda College (1905–present; also known as "Lovers' Quarrel")^{[12][13][14][15]}
5. Trinity-Anthony's: Trinity College, Kandy v St. Anthony's College, Kandy (1914–present; also known as the Battle of the Blues)^[16][17][18]
6. Battle of the Golds: Jaffna College v St. Patrick's College, Jaffna (1917–present)^[19][20]
7. Ananda-Nalanda: Ananda College v Nalanda College, Colombo (1924–present; also known as the Battle of the Maroons)^[21][22][23]
8. Prince of Wales'-St. Sebastian's Cricket Encounter: Prince of Wales' College, Moratuwa v St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa (1933–present; also known as the Battle of the Golds)^{[24][25][26][27][28]}
9. Battle of the Saints: St Peter's College, Colombo v St. Joseph's College, Colombo (1933–present)^[29][30]
10. Battle of the Mangoosteens: Kalutara Vidyalaya v Tissa Central College (1949–present)^[31][32]
11. Battle of the Babes: St. Sylvester's College v Vidyartha College (1958–present)^{[33][34][35][36]}
12. Battle of the Rocks: Maliyadeva College v St. Anne's College, Kurunegala (1959–present)^[37][38]
13. Battle of the Brothers: Thurstan College v Isipathana College (1964–present)^[39][40][41]
14. Battle of the Golds: Kegalu Vidyalaya v St. Mary's College, Kegalle (1960s – present)^[42][43][44]
15. Dharmasoka-Devananda: Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda v Sri Devananda College Ambalangoda (1966–present)^[45]
16. Battle of Kotte: Sri Jayawardenepura Maha Vidyalaya v St. Thomas' College, Kotte (1976–present)^[46]
17. Battle of the Golds: Sri Rahula College, Kandy v Sri Sumangala College, Kandy (1981–present)^[47][48][49]
18. Battle of Kelaniya: Gurukula College v Sri Dharmaloka College (1988–present)^[50][51][52]
19. Royal vs St. John's: Royal College Panadura v St. John's College Panadura (1992–present; also known as the Battle of Panadura)^{[53][54][55][56]}
20. Battle of Raigam Korale: Piliyandala Central College v Taxila Central College, Horana (2001–present)^[57][58]
21. Battle of Two Cities: Rahula College v St. Aloysius' College, Galle (F. R Alles Trophy)^[59][60][61]
22. Battle of Wayamba: Royal College Wayamba, Kurunegala v Sir John Kotalawala College (2005–present)^[62][63]
23. Battle of the Hindus: Jaffna Hindu College v Kokuvil Hindu College (2008–present)^[64][65]
24. Battle of the Golds Ruhuna: Weeraketiya Rajapaksha Central College v Dickwella Vijitha Central College (2010–present)^[66][67][68]
25. Battle of Golden Lions: Dharmapala Vidyalaya v Rahula College (2012–present)^[69]
26. Battle of the Greens: Arethusa College v T. B. Jayah Zahira College (2012–present; 30-over match)^[70][71][72]
27. Battle of Dematagoda: St. John's College, Dematagoda v St. Mathew's College, Dematagoda^[73][74][75]
28. Battle of Golds: Moratu Vidyalaya v Sri Sumangala College, Panadura^[76][77][78]
29. Battle of Sri Jayawardanapura - St._John's_College,_Nugegoda Vs Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte

References

1. Big Match Fever 2010
2. Amit, M. Shamil (18 March 2010). "St. Servatius – St. Thomas big match begins today". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).
3. Fernando, Reemus (21 February 2010). "Battles from North to South". The Island (Sri Lanka).
4. Jayasuriya, Thushan (15 February 2013). "Etisalat powers 134th Battle of the blues". Daily News (Sri Lanka).
5. Weerasekera, Janith (14 March 2010). "110th Ruhunu Battle of the Blues St. Servatius has edge over St. Thomas". The Nation (Sri Lanka).
6. 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).
7. de Silva, Priyan (22 February 2012). "St. Servatius looking to make an impression". Daily News (Sri Lanka).
8. "Jaffna big match starts Thursday". TamilNet. 9 March 2006.
9. "'Battle of North' begins in Jaffna". TamilNet. 26 February 2010.
10. "The Centenary 'Battle of the North'". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 16 March 2004.
11. Ratnayake, Samiddha (21 February 2010). "The tradition lives on". The Nation (Sri Lanka).
12. Mahadura, Gamini (14 March 2010). "Richmond looks to break Mahinda stranglehold". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
13. Wijesekera, Richmond (19 March 2010). "Lovers Quarrel: Richmond-Mahinda clash for 105th time". Daily News (Sri Lanka).
14. Ratnaweera, Dhammika (14 March 2010). "105th Battle of the Lovers: Richmond-Mahinda evenly matched for a draw". The Nation (Sri Lanka).
15. Ratnaweera, Dhammika (3 February 2005). "Richmond-Mahinda centenary big match postponed". The Island (Sri Lanka).
16. Jezeem, U.J. (11 March 2005). "All eyes on Sachith as Trinity play Antonians". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).
17. Marikar, Hafiz (11 March 2005). "Kandy's 89th "Battle of the Blues"". The Island (Sri Lanka).
18. Abdeen, S. M. Jiffrey (11 March 2005). "89th Battle of the Blues: Trinity go out favourites". Daily News (Sri Lanka).
19. Fernando, Reemus (23 February 2012). "Formidable St. Patrick's meet unpredictable Jaffna College". The Island (Sri Lanka).
20. "Cricket: St. Patrick's bat first against Jaffna College". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 24 February 2012.
21. Abeysekera, Nalin (4 March 2010). "Ananda Vs Nalanda: The most significant encounter this time". The Island (Sri Lanka).
22. Gamage, Yasaratne (3 March 2012). "Nalanda out to break 59-year hoodoo". Daily News (Sri Lanka).
23. "82nd Battle of the Maroons: Ananda on form but Nalanda will resist". The Nation (Sri Lanka). 27 February 2011.
24. Rathnayake, Samiddha (8 March 2009). "Time for a winning result". The Nation (Sri Lanka).
25. 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.
26. Mendis, Dilwin (4 March 2012). "Keen contest expected in St. Sebastian's – Prince of Wales 'Big Match'". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka).
27. Fernando, Reemus (9 March 2007). "57th 'Battle of the Golds' a star-studded show". The Island (Sri Lanka).
28. 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.
29. Perera, Supun (11 March 2005). "Battle of the saints: Down memory lane of joe-pete (1933–2004)". Daily News (Sri Lanka).
30. 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).
31. Thanthiriarachchi, Sunil S. (23 March 2012). ""Battle of the Mangoosteens"gets underway at Kaluthara Today". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).
32. "Match ends in tame draw at Kalutara". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 15 March 2009.
33. Razak, Rukshan (31 March 2011). "St. Sylvester's go out favourites". The Island (Sri Lanka).
34. Jezeem, U. J. (17 March 2012). "'Battle of the Babes' heading for a draw". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).
35. Minhaz, M. (11 March 2012). "Battle of the Babes a toss-up". The Nation (Sri Lanka).
36. Jayasundera, Upananda (23 March 2008). "Golden Jubilee 'Battle of the Babes' March 28 and 29". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka).
37. Senaratne, Vijitha (10 March 2005). "Two unbeaten teams will meet in 26th "Battle of the Rocks" at Kurunegala". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).
38. Pothuhera, Francis Warnakulasooriya (13 March 2009). "Maliyadeva to rock Annites". Daily News (Sri Lanka).
39. Gamage, Yasaratne (24 February 2012). "Thurstan and Isipathana should play positive cricket". Daily News (Sri Lanka).
40. Anandappa, Ranjan (27 January 2013). "Thurstan – Isipathana Golden Jubilee cricket match". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka).
41. Amith, M. Shamil (24 February 2012). "Thurstan and Isipathana aiming to break hoodoo". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).
42. Razak, Rukshan (5 March 2010). "'Battle of the Golds' teams evenly matched". The Island (Sri Lanka).
43. Abdeen, S. M. Jiffrey (23 March 2012). "St. Mary's confront Kegalu Vidyalaya in Kegalle's 'Battle of the Golds'". Daily News (Sri Lanka).
44. Jezeem, U. J. (24 March 2012). "St. Mary's in prime position to force result". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).
45. 44th Battle of the Blues-Ambalangoda Dharmasoka better in second essay
46. "Battle of Kotte in its 34th year on Saturday and Sunday". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 12 March 2010.
47. Razak, Rukshan (6 April 2009). "Battle for Yasaratne Tennekoon trophy begins today". The Island (Sri Lanka).
48. Abdeen, S.M. Jiffrey (21 March 2007). "Sri Sumangala-Sri Rahula clash in 15th Battle of the Golds". Daily News (Sri Lanka).
49. Abdeen, S. K. Jiffrey (3 April 2005). "15th Sri Rahula vs Sri Sumangala April 9 and 10". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka).
50. Fernando, Reemus (22 March 2010). "'Battle of Kelaniya' from tomorrow". The Island (Sri Lanka).
51. Anushka Withanage; Edward Weerasinghe (19 March 2010). "Battle of Kelaniya: Dharmaloka-Gurukula meet for 22nd time". Daily News (Sri Lanka).
52. Ratnaweera, Dhammika (21 March 2010). "22nd Battle of Kelaniya: A barren series of draws". The Nation (Sri Lanka).
53. Fernando, Reemus (15 March 2012). "Royal has the edge: 20th 'Battle of the Greens'". The Island (Sri Lanka).
54. Amit, M. Shamil (18 March 2004). "14th Battle of the Greens at Panadura: Royalists have edge over Johnians". Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).
55. Amit, M. Shamil (29 March 2009). "Royal coast to six wicket victory". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
56. Joseph, Marcus (22 March 1998). "All eyes will be on Chamara Silva". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
57. "Tame draw at Horana". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 18 March 2012.
58. "Roshan,dilshan, Chamith half tons". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 17 March 2012.
59. Mahadura, Gamini (12 March 2010). "St. Aloysius have edge over Rahula". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).
60. Priyan de Silva; A. W. Gunawardena (22 March 2011). "Battle of two cities on March 25 and 26". Daily News (Sri Lanka).
61. Miranda, Sujitha (11 November 2012). "St. Aloysius Galle is reaching the top without any doubt". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
62. Pothuhera, Francis Warnakulasooriya (25 March 2011). "Battle of Wayamba begins today". Daily News (Sri Lanka).
63. Senaratne, Vijitha (24 March 2011). "Wayamba Royal meets Sir John Kotalawela M V". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).
64. "Jaffna's Battle of the Hindus today". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 30 April 2010.
65. Mike, Tony (4 March 2012). "Fifth Battle of the Hindus drawn". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).
66. de Silva, P. D. (21 March 2012). "Vijitha has edge in third golden battle of Ruhuna at Sooriyawewa". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).
67. de Silva, Priyan (23 March 2012). "Vijitha has the edge in third Golden Battle of Ruhuna". Daily News (Sri Lanka).
68. de Silva, P. D. (27 March 2011). "'Golden Battle of Ruhuna' ends in draw". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
69. Aravinda, Pubudu (14 February 2013). "Battle of Golden Lions in Moratuwa". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).
70. "Inaugural 'Battle of the Greens' on May 19". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 13 May 2012.
71. Amith, M. Shamil (18 May 2012). "Arethusa, T B Jayah Zahira clash in first Big Match". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).
72. "Battle of the Greens today". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 19 May 2012.
73. Fernando, Reemus (16 March 2007). ""Battle of Dematagoda" commences again". The Island (Sri Lanka).
74. "St Mathews and St John's clash tomorrow". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 24 March 2012.
75. "Battle of Dematagoda on March 27". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 26 March 2011.
76. Mendis, Dilwin (11 March 2012). "Moratu Vidyalaya fancied against Sri Sumangala in 60th encounter". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka).
77. "58th Battle of the Golds: Moratu Vidyalaya ends 39-year jinx". The Nation (Sri Lanka). 21 March 2010.
78. Fernando, Reemus (19 March 2010). "58th 'Battle of the Golds': Formidable Moratu face rejuvenated Sumangala". The Island (Sri Lanka).

External links

• Royal–Thomian
• Battle of the Maroons
• Battle of the North