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| Sunday, 3 February 2002 |
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All set for the 123rd "Battle of the Blues" March 7 to 9 by Pelham Juriansz The longest unbroken cricket encounter between two schools, the 123rd "Battle of the Blues" between Royal and S. Thomas' will take place at the SSC grounds on March 7, 8 and 9. This "battle" which is presumably one of the oldest cricketing encounters in the world, which commenced in 1880 is probably the only match played without a break. Even the two World Wars did not hamper its progress of this match. The Warden of S. Thomas' College, David Ponniah, who distinguished himself at the "Big Match" in 1967 when he was the first to score a century as a fresher in the second innings of that game, said that the Royal-Thomian is the "oldest, continuous fixture and that the Royalists are at the same time are greatest rivals and friends, because on the field of play we play hard but afterwards we are the best of friends." In fact S. Thomas' and Royal have made immense contributions to the development of this country. The Father of this nation and first Prime Minster D. S. Senanayake was a Thomian and his son, Dudley played in the "Big Match". S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, the father of the present President was a famous Thomian himself. From the Royalist side former President the late J. R. Jayewardene played in the Royal side of 1925. Sir John Kotelawela another Royalist was a Prime Minister of Ceylon. Many famous Bishops of Colombo including the present Bishop Rt. Rev. Duleep de Chickera have been old Royalists. Renowned past cricketers like Michael Tissera and Anura Tennekoon of S. Thomas' and Vijaya Malalasekera and Jayantha Kudahetty of Royal who hold responsible positions in the Cricket Board have played in the Royal -Thomian. Tryphon Mirando, chairman organising committee at press briefing said that in the last four years they have had a better turnout at the "Big Match" and this year should be no exception. Crowd control has been improved and this ensures that more people feel safe to come for the match and more playing time is available as there are no crowd invasions every time someone scores a fifty or a wicket falls. Principal of Royal H. L. B. Gomes said that it is significant that this is the 1, 2, 3 that is the 123rd battle and thanked the sponsors Dialog GSM for their sponsorship. Dr Hans Wijesuriya, CEO of Dialog GSM, an old Thomian himself, said that Dialog GSM have agreed to sponsor this game for the second time and will do so next year as well. Dialog with their motto "the future today" are committed to sponsoring sports events and they have even sponsored the Sri Lanka team for the Under 19 World Cup. |
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