Richmond have the edge over Mahinda

The Mahinda – Richmond annual cricket encounter affectionately known as The Lovers’ Quarrel will be played for the 108th consecutive year today (22) and tomorrow (23) at Galle International Cricket Stadium. Mahinda – Richmond Big Match which has been inaugurated in 1905 under the guidance of principals Rev James Horne Darrel of Richmond and Frank Lee Woodward of Mahinda is one of the most pristine school cricket match series of the island.

Richmond College Cricket Team.(Seated from left) Sithira Gimhan, Dhamith Prasanna, Hasitha Madhushan ( Captain), E.M.S.Ekanayake (Principal), A.K.Tyron, Dhammika Sudharshana ( Coach), Lakmal De silva ( Assistant Coach) and Thisara Bhanuka (Standing from left) Wanindu Hasarangha, Kamidu Medis, Saveen Nanayakkara, Udara Kumarage, Sahna Samarasinghe, Kelum Nanayakkara, Chamod Piyumal, Waruna Deshapriya, Prabath Nishantha, Manula Gunawardane, Randula Ranaweera, Pasindu Bimsara and Charith Asalanka.

Mahinda College Cricket Team: (Seated from left ) Ishara Akalanka, Chalana De silva, K.M.D.Prasad ( M.I.C), Indeera Gaallage ( Vice Captain), Wasantha Siriwardane (Principal), Nirwantha Thiksala (Capitain), J.Munasinghe ( Deputy Principal) Malith Mahela, Hasitha Rajapaksa( Coach) and Binuka Waduge. (Standing from left) Krishan Ranghajith, Kanishka Piyumal, Udesh Imesha, Erangha Sangeeth, Yhamith Kalhara, Chanuka Udara, Pasindu Dilshan, Yohan Dilshan, Sadeepa Yokshitha, Ththira Sanuka, Yashodha Kaushan, Nilanka Laksira, and Dulash Udayanga.

When it comes to the records of the Big Match, cricket fans of Galle still evoke amazing memories of the extraordinary cricketing feat of Mahindian Somasiri Ambawatte exactly 90 years ago.

In 1953 he captured all ten Richmond wickets for 44 claiming the so far unbroken bowling record of the series. In the same game he further fortified his bowling accomplishment by scoring a century setting the series’ finest all round achievement.

In 1972 Mahindians registered the highest score 359 by a team when their top order batsman P.H.K. Ranasinghe scored 162 runs being the highest individual score by a batsman in the history of the Big Match.

Among the prominent cricketers produced to the nation by the Richmond college are Champaka Ramanayake, Chamila Gamage and Suranga Lakmal all of whom have represented the country’s national team.

On the other hand the notable star cricketers such as Douglas Dias Jayasinghe, Sirisena Hettige,Basil Gunasekara, D.L.S.De Silva, Athula Samarasekara, Jayananada Warnawera, Upul Chandana and Lasith Malinga are some of the proud products of Mahinda. Nevertheless Richmand who has emerged as the season’s best school with the largest number of victories are ready to pose a big challenge to their rivals in the 108th encounter.

They have registered 11 outright victories in 15 matches played during the season.

This time Richmond has secured innings’ victories against Ananda College, Colombo and S.D.S.Jayasinghe, Dehiwala . Among the other schools defeated by Richmond are S.Thomas College Mount Lavinia, Kingswood, Maliyadeva, Dharmasoka, St Servatious, Revatha, Dharmaraja , St Thomas Matara , and St Aloysius Galle

Richmond team is captained by Hasitha Madushan who has scored over 500 runs during the season. Madushan is also the skipper of the Southern Province School Cricket team. He will be deputized by the all rounder A.K.Tyron who too has scored over 600 runs and claimed 67 wickets to his credit.

Both Sithira Gimhan and Charith Asalanka of Richmond have scored 150 and 134 runs unbeaten respectively during the season.

Richmon this season is better reinforced with a strong batting department with a total of 12 centuries during the period.

During the season Mahinda has taken part in 17 games out of which they have registered only three victories against St.Thomas Matara , Maris Stella Negombo and Dharmapala while they have been defeated by S. Thomas’ Mount Lavinia.

Fifth year all rounder Nirwantha Thikshala who has secured 850 runs in 13 games with one ton and 6 half centuries, will captain Mahinda.

His deputy will be Indeera Gallage who has scored 600 runs with five centuries during the period.

Richmond boys who are highly determined to register a victory after 44 years in the big match history would be a great challenge to Mahinda who are too ready to resist their rivals.