Sports

Royal start favourites in historic Battle of the Blues

Published

3 months ago

2026/03/11

Royal College Team

The stage is set for another chapter of the historic Battle of the Blues when traditional rivals Royal College Colombo and S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia clash in their annual Big Match which begins at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Thursday.

‎Royal enter the encounter as favourites once again with a formidable batting line-up and a well-balanced bowling attack. The Reid Avenue boys will also be determined to avenge their defeat at the hands of their arch rivals in last year’s edition when the Thomians produced a stunning turnaround to pull off a surprise victory despite Royal starting the match as favourites.

‎However, Big Match cricket has always been known for producing new heroes and unexpected twists. With several players who featured in last year’s encounter returning to the field, both teams are well aware that predictions and form books can often count for little in this prestigious contest.

‎The Thomians, led by Avinash Fernando, will start with the odds stacked heavily against them. To successfully defend the shield, they will need strong batting performances from the likes of Reson Soloman, Jaden Amaraweera, Lugeesha Nimsara, Aaron Kodituwakku and skipper Avinash Fernando.

‎Soloman has been among the most consistent performers this season, amassing close to 800 runs with centuries against St. Anthony’s College Katugastota and Mahinda College Galle. Amaraweera too has enjoyed a productive season, scoring more than 750 runs with centuries against Maris Stella College Negombo and Wesley College Colombo.

‎Kodituwakku has contributed over 650 runs including a century against St. Servatius’ College Matara, while both Nimsara and Fernando have crossed the 500-run mark during the season. Despite their impressive aggregates, none of the Thomian batsmen have maintained an average above 40, which could make their task challenging against a disciplined Royal bowling unit.

‎Much responsibility will also rest on spinner Abheeth Paranawidana, who has captured over 40 wickets this season and will be expected to produce a special performance if the Thomians are to keep Royal’s strong batting order under control.

‎Royal’s batting unit, however, appears stronger on paper. Captain Rehan Peiris has enjoyed an outstanding season, accumulating more than 900 runs at an average close to 50 — one of the most impressive batting performances in the school cricket season.

‎He has received excellent support from Hirun Liyanarachchi, who has scored over 800 runs, and Ramiru Perera, who has accumulated more than 700 runs. Significantly, all three of Royal’s leading batsmen have maintained averages above 40, providing the team with a solid top order.

‎Royal also boast strong leadership experience within the side, with three captains in the playing squad — Sri Lanka Under-19 captain Vimath Dinsara, former Royal skipper Ramiru Perera, and current captain Rehan Peiris.

‎In the bowling department, former Holy Cross College Kalutara spinner Himaru Deshan is expected to play a key role alongside Dushen Udawela, Sehandu Sooriyaarachchi, and Ramiru Perera in what appears to be a well-balanced attack.

‎With Royal seeking revenge and the Thomians determined to prove last year’s victory was no fluke, another thrilling encounter is on the cards when the two proud schools renew their rivalry at the SSC. The Battle of the Blues, as always, promises drama, passion, and perhaps the emergence of new heroes in Sri Lanka’s most celebrated school cricket contest.

Teams

‎S. Thomas’

(from): Avinash Fernando (Captain), Jaden Amaraweera, Aaron Kodituwakku, Methuka Gunarathne, Stevon Peiris, Ludeesha Matharage, Reshon Soloman, Gimhan Mendis, Abheeth Paranawidana, Raphael Hettige, Shanil Perera, Nethun Withanage, Aaron De Silva, Nethuka Ometh, Vihanga Mathagaweera, Minon Warnasuriya, Sineru Thanthiriwatte.

S. Thomas’ College Team

‎Officials: Nilanka Peiris (Head Coach)

‎Royal (from): Rehan Pieris (Captain), Vimath Dinsara, Yasindu Dissanayake, Ramiru Perera, Himaru de Silva, Manuth Dassanayake, Gagan Gamage, Sehandu Sooriyarachchi, Hirun Matheesha, Chanithu Kankanamge, Sandul Abeywardena, Mudith Gunasekara, Thevindu Wewalwala, Udantha Gangewatta, Mahiru Kodithuwakku.

‎Officials: Gamini Perera (Head ‎Coach)

by Reemus Fernando

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Rahul, Gill hit centuries as India dominate Afghanistan on opening day

Published

39 mins ago

2026/06/7

Priyan

Shubman Gill brought up his 11th Test century (BCCI)

In the 11th over, KL Rahul edged a cut to the keeper off Ziaur Ahmed when he was on 16. Afghanistan did not review the not-out decision. In the 61st over, Rahul flicked a full ball off his pads, bringing up a gritty century – his 12th in Test cricket. Afghanistan’s bowling attack had been worn down in the intervening period. They could not cash in on their half-chances aplenty, in their first Test against India since their format debut in 2018. Instead, Rahul – alongside a regal Shubman Gill – headlined India’s march to 368 for 3 on day one in New Chandigarh.

The city was hosting a men’s Test for the first time. Temperatures soared up to 40 degrees Celsius, and India captain Gill opted to bat first, expecting the pitch to worsen as time wore on in the match. However, Afghanistan’s new-ball bowlers – Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohamed Saleem – extracted uneven bounce off the pitch right away. They kept bowling back-of-a-length deliveries to Jaiswal and Rahul, moving the ball away from the openers.

Rahul reached for deliveries far from his body early in the day, often mistiming his shots. He ambled away to 16 off 34 by the end of the 10th over. At the other end, Jaiswal pounced on fuller deliveries with more regularity to race to 20 off 26.

Then, in the 11th over off Ziaur, Rahul slashed at a wide delivery and both bowler and keeper went up with a big appeal. However, they opted out of the review. Replays later showed Rahul had edged the delivery. Rahul rode his luck thereafter, leaving balls outside off, and dead-batting fuller ones that gripped in the pitch.

In the next over – the 12th – Jaiswal leaned into a front-foot drive off Mohammad Saleem. Then he jumped at an inswinger drifting down leg, and tried to flick it off his hips. He edged it to the keeper instead. Against the run of play, Jaiswal departed for a 32-ball 24, giving Saleem his maiden Test wicket.

Soon after, the new-ball swing dissipated and the bounce became less treacherous. B Sai Sudarshan made full use of this period of play at the back end of Saleem and Omarzai’s extended spells. He laced three fours in his first 15 deliveries.

In the 35th over off Ziaur, Sai Sudharsan stepped out of his crease for a tentative defense outside off. His edge dissected the wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai and first slip. Eight overs later, with Sai Sudharsan looking set for his maiden Test century, the batter played an expansive drive outside off against Saleem. Once more, the ball flew into the slip cordon, but was snared by Zazai with a one-handed stunner to his right. Sai Sudharsan was dismissed for 81. The second-wicket partnership was aborted at 131, with Rahul still steady at the other end.

As the day wore on, the New Chandigarh surface began gripping and turning more. Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi was their most effective spinner. He bowled slowly, often keeping his speeds under 80 kph, and used drift to troublealla batters. Still, he never induced any real chances, with edges off him flying past short leg or the keeper.

From the other end, debutant Nangeyalia Kharote induced a thin edge off Sai Sudharsan with just his fourth delivery. Rahmanullah Gurbaz dropped the consequent one-hander, diving to his right at first slip. On his return spell, Kharote – as well as part-timer Abdul Malik – both strayed into leg-stump lines too often.

With Afghanistan’s fast bowlers erring in discipline too, Gill took full toll on them, especially after the tea break. If Rahul’s knock was a product of battling against the early swing and seam, Gill’s imperious century – his 11th in the format – was aided by a worn-down attack. Still, he pounced on good-length deliveries outside off as he unfurled his drives, and cut close to his body, in trademark fashion to rack up 11 fours and one six.

Gill had Rahul for company through the beginning of his knock, during a 67-run partnership for the third wicket. However, just one delivery after bringing up his century, Rahul perished for the third time in Test cricket on exactly a 100 – the joint-second most times in Test cricket, right behind England’s Len Hutton (4). Rahul had been out playing a loose waft away from his body, off Ziaur, straight to short extra cover.

Once Rishabh Pant walked out to join Gill, the brief was clear: by their standards, India had already shut up shop for the final hour of play. An unusually restrained Pant, also playing his 50th Test for India, batted within his means until his eyes lit up against offspinner Abdul Malik in the 68th over. He took advantage of half-trackers to flat-bat three sixes in trademark Pant style. Tellingly, these would also be Pant’s only sixes of the evening.

Gill brought up his century just a few minutes before close of play, off a flick to square leg, in the 83rd over off Saleem. Afghanistan had opted not to choose the new ball, bowling through till the close of play with a battered ball. Pant manipulated a thinly spread leg-side field in these final overs to bring up his own fifty off 70 balls, on the penultimate delivery of the day’s play.

SCORES:

India 368 for 3 in 85 overs (Shubman Gill 103*, KL Rahul 100, B Sai Sudharsan 81, Rishabh Pant 50*; MohaSaleem 2-67) vs Afghanistan

(Cricinfo)

Latest News

Persistent rain in Kingston washes out second ODI between West Indies and Sri Lanka

Published

1 hour ago

2026/06/7

Priyan

The Sabina Park staff clear the water on the ground (Cric8nfo)

West Indies won the toss and put Sri Lanka into bat, but that was the extent of the action from thesecod ODI at Sabina Park, as persistent rain put an end to proceedings before they had even begun.

The washout means West Indies’ hopes of winning the series are wiped out, but they can still draw level in the final game on Monday. Perhaps more importantly, a win there will give the hosts a much needed rankings boost, with qualification for next year’s World Cup hinging on their final position come March next year.

The toss itself had been delayed by 30 minutes following rain earlier in the day, and it was the possibility of rain intervening later on that had influenced Shai Hope’s decision to field first.

Both teams had also made changes, with Amir Jangoo due to get a game for the injured Matthew Forde, while Eshan Malinga had been drafted in for Asitha Fernando. Shai Hope, playing his 150th ODI for West Indies, received a special jersey before rain came along.

(Cricinfo)

Sports

Sri Lanka to play women’s T-20 World Cup curtain-raiser

Published

2 hours ago

2026/06/7

Thilina Walpola

Sri Lanka women’s cricket team flew off to London this week to take part in the ICC T-20 World Cup that will get underway on the 12th June in Birmingham with Chamari Atapattu’s side playing England in the curtain-raiser.The national team will enter the 12 nation global showpiece event with renewed confidence and ambition under the newly appointed Head Coach Jamie Siddons.

Prior to the opening match, the team will play two warm-up fixtures against Pakistan and Netherlands. Placed in a challenging Group 2, apart from England, they have defending champions New Zealand, West Indies, Ireland and Scotland. The team arrives in England buoyed by recent successes, having secured impressive series victories over both West Indies and Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka’s participation in the tournament marks another significant chapter in the continued growth of women’s cricket in the country. Dialog, who holds the exclusive broadcast rights of ICC events in Sri Lanka, remains committed to supporting the development of the game and powering Sri Lankan athletes to compete on the global stage.

Cricket Fans can catch all the action live on Dialog Television (Channel Numbers 68,120 & 63), or stream via the Dialog Play mobile App and ThePapare.com.