Battle of the North from March 10

The 105th encounter between Jaffna Central and St. John's, Jaffna will be played on March 10, 11 and 12 at Jaffna Central College grounds.

This is one of the oldest encounters in the Island and oldest in the Peninsula. Out of the 104 encounters so far played, St. John's have won 33 while Central made it only 25 times.

The Centralites with their outstanding performance this season go out favourites this year too. They played seven matches with five wins and two draws.

Central skipper Jerik Thusan scored an unbeaten double century (270 n.o.) against Mahajana College while his Deputy Edward Edin made a swashbuckling 247 against Manipay Hindu. They got two good bowlers in Vathushanan and Kokulan, both were among the wickets this season.

On the other hand, the Johnians who too played seven matches won only two matches. They lost three and drew the rest.

The Johnians, skippered by experienced genuine all rounder Vathushan with the last year Big Match hero Harivathanan as his deputy, will definitely pose resistance to a Central win.