Big Match
CountriesSri Lanka
FormatTest, One-Day and Twenty20
First edition1879
Latest edition2023
Next edition2024
Number of teams34 (as of 2023)
Most successfulBattle of the Blues (144 Editions)
TVDialog TV, Peo TV
2023 Big Matches
WebsiteThePapare.com,
Batsman.com

Big Match (also known as March Madness[1]) is an annual school cricket match played between rival schools in Sri Lanka. These schools have played against one another for many years, some for over a century. Big Matches have become an important part of modern Sri Lankan culture, with both school children and adults taking part in the activity.[2]

Most Big Matches are played over two days. Three Big Matches (the Battle of the Blues, Battle of the Blues Ruhuna and Battle of North) are notably played over three days.[3][4]

Battle of the Rocks (2009)
Battle of the Maroons (2010)

History

Annual Big matches are played between two rival School cricket teams in Sri Lanka. These matches are known as March Madness because, big matches are usually held at the end of the first school term in March. Big matches provide competition among schools and it also serves as a meeting place for many old boys. Some of these encounters are very old, more than 100 years (Battle of the Blues (Colombo) - 144 years, Battle of the Blues Ruhuna - 123 years, The Lovers' Quarrel - 118 years, Hill Capital Battle of the Maroons - 116 years, Hill Country Battle of the Blues - 104 years).[5]

1879-1899 - Battle of the Blues (Colombo)

Battle of the Blues (Colombo) has been played between Royal College and St. Thomas' College since 1879, for 144 years.[6]

1900-1904

Battle of the Blues Ruhuna has been played between St. Thomas' College and St. Servatius' College since 1900, for 123 years. [7][8][9]

1905-1964

Continually, many other Big Matches has begun in the following years.

List of Big Matches

Battle of the Blues Ruhuna (2015)

Current Big Matches

Following is a list of Big Matches still being held annually as of 2023[5]
Series Rival Schools First Edition Latest Edition Location Refs.
Battle of the Blues (Colombo) Royal College v St. Thomas' College 1879 144th (2023) Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground [6]
Battle of the Blues Ruhuna St. Thomas' College v St. Servatius' College 1900 123rd (2023) Uyanwatte Stadium [7][8][9]
The Lovers' Quarrel Richmond College v Mahinda College 1905 118th (2023) Galle International Stadium [10][11][12][13]
Battle of the Golds (Jaffna) Jaffna College v St. Patrick's College 1917 106th (2023) Jaffna College Grounds [14][15]
Hill Capital Battle of the Maroons Dharmaraja College v Kingswood College 1893 116th (2023) Pallekele International Cricket Stadium [16][17]
Hill Country Battle of the Blues Trinity College v St. Anthony's College 1914 104th (2023) Katugastota and Asgiriya Stadium [18][19][20]
Battle of the Maroons (Colombo) Ananda College v Nalanda College 1924 93rd (2023) Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground [21][22][23]
Battle of the Saints (Colombo) St Peter's College v St. Joseph's College 1933[lower-alpha 1] 89th (2023) Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground [24][25]
Battle of the Golds (Moratuwa) Prince of Wales' College v St. Sebastian's College 1933 73rd (2023) Tyronne Fernando Stadium [26][27][28][29][30]
Battle of the Golds (Panadura and Moratuwa) Sri Sumangala College v Moratu Maha Vidyalaya 1934 71st (2023) Tyronne Fernando Stadium [31]
Battle of the Babes St. Sylvester's College v Vidyartha College 1958 63rd (2023) Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and Asgiriya Stadium [32][33][34][35]
Battle of the Brothers (Colombo) Thurstan College v Isipathana College 1964 60th (2023) Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, R. Premadasa Stadium and Thurstan Grounds [36][37][38]
Battle of the Rocks Maliyadeva College v St. Anne's College 1959 39th (2023) Welagedara Stadium [39][40]
Battle of the Hindus (current) Hindu College Colombo v Jaffna Hindu College 1981 12th

(2023)

 P.Sara Oval [41]
Battle of Salpiti Raigam Koralaya Piliyandala Central College v Taxila Central College, Horana 2001 21st (2023) Tyronne Fernando Stadium [42][43]
Battle of the Golds (Colombo) D. S. Senanayake College v Mahanama College 2007 17th (2023) P. Sara Oval and R. Premadasa Stadium [44]
Battle of Golden Lions Dharmapala Vidyalaya v Rahula College 2012 12th (2023) Uyanwatte Stadium [45][46]
Rev. James Cartman Cup (Bens - Wesley) Wesley College v St. Benedicts College 2021 3rd (2023) P. Sara Oval [47]
Rev. Bro. Luke Gregory Shield (Bens-Wesley) Wesley College v St. Benedicts College 2022 2nd (2023) Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground [48]
Battle of The Blazing Blues Mahamaya Girls' College Kandy v St. Anthony's Girls' College 2023 1st

(2023)

 Pallekele International Cricket Stadium [49]

Former Big Matches

Following is a list of Big Matches that are no longer held as of 2023
Series Rival Schools First Edition Last Edition Refs.
Battle of the North Jaffna Central College v St. John's College 1901[lower-alpha 2] 2010s [50][51][52][53]
Battle of the Blues (Ambalangoda) Sri Devananda College v Dharmasoka College 1966 2010s [54]
Battle of the Centralions Piliyandala Central College v Wadduwa Central College 1975 2000
Battle of Kotte Sri Jayawardenepura Maha Vidyalaya v St. Thomas' College 1976 2010s [55]
Battle of Dematagoda St. John's College v St. Mathew's College 1976[lower-alpha 3] 2010s [56][57][58]
Battle of the Golds (Matale) St. Thomas' College v Government Science College 1980 [59]
Battle of the Golds (Kandy) Sri Rahula College v Sri Sumangala College 1981 2010s [60][61][62]
Battle of Kelaniya Gurukula College v Sri Dharmaloka College 1988 2010s [63][64][65]
Battle of Sri Jayawardanapura St. John's College Vs Ananda Sastralaya 1990 2023s [66]
Battle of Greens

(Royal - St John's)

( Battle Of Panadura )

 Royal College Panadura v St. John's College Panadura 1992 2023s [67][68][69][70]
Battle of Two Cities
(The F. R Alles Trophy)		 Rahula College v St. Aloysius' College 2003 2017 [71][72][73]
Battle of Greens (Wayamba) Royal College v Sir John Kotalawala College 2005 2010s [74][75]
Battle of the Hindus Jaffna Hindu College v Kokuvil Hindu College 2008 2010s [76][77]
Battle of the Golds (Ruhuna) Weeraketiya Rajapaksha Central College v Dickwella Vijitha Central College 2010 2010s [78][79][80]
Battle of the Greens Arethusa College v T. B. Jayah Zahira College 2012 2010s [81][82][83]
Battle of the Seagulls St. Peter's College v St.Sebastian's College 2012
Nikitha Grero Challenge Trophy Lyceum International School v Lyceum International School 2015 2019 
[84]
Battle of the Lords (Ratnapura) St. Aloysius' College v Prince College 2018 2018

Venues

Following is a list of venues Big Matches are held in 2023.[85]

Notes

  1. ↑ 30-over matches.
  2. ↑ Intermittently played due to the civil war.
  3. ↑ Intermittent.

References

  1. ↑ "March Madness | Live Scores, News, Photos, Videos, stats". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  2. ↑ The oldest match is the Royal-Thomian cricket encounter which has been played between S.Thomas' College Mount Lavinia and Royal College Colombo since 1879. It is hence older than the Ashes.Big Match Fever 2010 Archived 26 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ Fernando, Reemus (21 February 2010). "Battles from North to South". The Island (Sri Lanka).
  5. 1 2 Weerasinghe, Damith (23 February 2023). "Big Matches are BACK!". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  6. 1 2 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.
  7. 1 2 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.
  8. 1 2 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.
  9. 1 2 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.
  10. ↑ Mahadura, Gamini (14 March 2010). "Richmond looks to break Mahinda stranglehold". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ Ratnaweera, Dhammika (3 February 2005). "Richmond-Mahinda centenary big match postponed". The Island (Sri Lanka).
  14. ↑ Fernando, Reemus (23 February 2012). "Formidable St. Patrick's meet unpredictable Jaffna College". The Island (Sri Lanka).
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ Marikar, Hafiz (25 March 2004). "98th 'Battle of the Maroons'; Little to choose between Dharmaraja and Kingswood". The Island (Sri Lanka).
  17. ↑ "Kingswood - Dharmaraja L/O match at Pallekele".
  18. ↑ Jezeem, U.J. (11 March 2005). "All eyes on Sachith as Trinity play Antonians". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  19. ↑ Marikar, Hafiz (11 March 2005). "Kandy's 89th "Battle of the Blues"". The Island (Sri Lanka).
  20. ↑ Abdeen, S. M. Jiffrey (11 March 2005). "89th Battle of the Blues: Trinity go out favourites". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 8 September 2005. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  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). Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  23. ↑ "82nd Battle of the Maroons: Ananda on form but Nalanda will resist". The Nation (Sri Lanka). 27 February 2011.
  24. ↑ 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.
  25. ↑ 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).
  26. ↑ Rathnayake, Samiddha (8 March 2009). "Time for a winning result". The Nation (Sri Lanka).
  27. ↑ 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.
  28. ↑ 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.
  29. ↑ Fernando, Reemus (9 March 2007). "57th 'Battle of the Golds' a star-studded show". The Island (Sri Lanka).
  30. ↑ 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.
  31. ↑ "The cricketing tale of two cities". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 17 March 2019.
  32. ↑ Razak, Rukshan (31 March 2011). "St. Sylvester's go out favourites". The Island (Sri Lanka).
  33. ↑ 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.
  34. ↑ 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.
  35. ↑ 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.
  36. ↑ 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.
  37. ↑ 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.
  38. ↑ 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.
  39. ↑ 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.
  40. ↑ 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.
  41. ↑ "Article on the 12th Battle of the Hindus".
  42. ↑ "Tame draw at Horana". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 18 March 2012.
  43. ↑ "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.
  44. ↑ Sanjeewa, Kanishka (25 March 2023). "Mahanama takes honors in the drawn 17th Battle of the Golds encounter". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  45. ↑ 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.
  46. ↑ "Battle of the Golden Lions ends in tame draw". 31 March 2018.
  47. ↑ News, Daily (10 March 2023). "Daily News". p. 1. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  48. ↑ News, Daily (10 March 2023). "Daily News". p. 1. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  49. ↑ "Battle of The Blazing Blues". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  50. ↑ "Jaffna big match starts Thursday". TamilNet. 9 March 2006.
  51. ↑ "'Battle of North' begins in Jaffna". TamilNet. 26 February 2010.
  52. ↑ "The Centenary 'Battle of the North'". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 16 March 2004. Archived from the original on 21 December 2004.
  53. ↑ Ratnayake, Samiddha (21 February 2010). "The tradition lives on". The Nation (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  54. ↑ 44th Battle of the Blues-Ambalangoda Dharmasoka better in second essay
  55. ↑ "Battle of Kotte in its 34th year on Saturday and Sunday". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 12 March 2010. Archived from the original on 15 March 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  56. ↑ Fernando, Reemus (16 March 2007). ""Battle of Dematagoda" commences again". The Island (Sri Lanka).
  57. ↑ "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.
  58. ↑ "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.
  59. ↑ "Matale Thomians Crush Govt. Science".
  60. ↑ Razak, Rukshan (6 April 2009). "Battle for Yasaratne Tennekoon trophy begins today". The Island (Sri Lanka).
  61. ↑ 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.
  62. ↑ 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.
  63. ↑ Fernando, Reemus (22 March 2010). "'Battle of Kelaniya' from tomorrow". The Island (Sri Lanka).
  64. ↑ 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.
  65. ↑ Ratnaweera, Dhammika (21 March 2010). "22nd Battle of Kelaniya: A barren series of draws". The Nation (Sri Lanka).
  66. ↑ 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.
  67. ↑ Fernando, Reemus (15 March 2012). "Royal has the edge: 20th 'Battle of the Greens'". The Island (Sri Lanka).
  68. ↑ 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.
  69. ↑ Amit, M. Shamil (29 March 2009). "Royal coast to six wicket victory". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
  70. ↑ Joseph, Marcus (22 March 1998). "All eyes will be on Chamara Silva". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
  71. ↑ 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.
  72. ↑ 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.
  73. ↑ Miranda, Sujitha (11 November 2012). "St. Aloysius Galle is reaching the top without any doubt". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
  74. ↑ Pothuhera, Francis Warnakulasooriya (25 March 2011). "Battle of Wayamba begins today". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 12 January 2013.
  75. ↑ 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.
  76. ↑ "Jaffna's Battle of the Hindus today". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 30 April 2010. Archived from the original on 4 May 2010.
  77. ↑ 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.
  78. ↑ 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.
  79. ↑ 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.
  80. ↑ de Silva, P. D. (27 March 2011). "'Golden Battle of Ruhuna' ends in draw". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
  81. ↑ "Inaugural 'Battle of the Greens' on May 19". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 13 May 2012.
  82. ↑ 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.
  83. ↑ "Battle of the Greens today". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 19 May 2012. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  84. ↑ "Lyceum revs up for 4th Annual Cricket Big Match". The Papare (Sri Lanka). 14 February 2019.
  85. ↑ "Big Match Fixtures - March Madness". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
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