111th Lovers' Quarrel :

Richmond aims for historic hat-trick

Text and pictures by Priyan de Silva, Matara Sports Cor

The strong Richmond College outfit could go all out to win the 111th Battle of the Lovers big match cricket encounter against arch rival Mahinda College and make it a hat-trick of wins after a lapse of 95 years when the contest gets underway at the Galle International Cricket stadium on March 18 and 19.

The toss and whether are expected to play a crucial role in the outcome of the match. After being deprived of a win for 44 years, Richmond were awarded victory in 2014 when the Mahinda supporters invaded the field to thwart their victory bid. The invaders succeeded in their plans to force a draw by permitting the last Mahinda pair to bat out the last twelve overs of the game or score more than three runs to make Richmond bat a second time.

In 2015 Richmond thrashed Mahinda convincingly by an innings and 26 runs.

"Richmond have won three games in a row twice before in 1905/1906/1907 and against in 1913/1914/1915 while Mahinda have a hat-trick of wins in 1918/1919/1920", said Richmond's cricket historian Rohitha Wickremasekera.

Mahindian PHKH Ranasinghe's knock of 162 made in 1972 is the highest individual score in the series while Somasiri Ambawatta's 10/44 in 1953 is the best individual bowling performance in an innings. In the same game Somasiri scored an unbeaten 103 and ended up with a match bag of fifteen wickets (10/44 and 5/61) to hold the best all round performance as well. Richmond College playing in Group A of the schools tournament won outright against Dharmasoka, Holy Cross, Moratu Vidyalaya and Anuradhapura Central and won on first innings against Gurukula and St Servatius' College while losing on first innings to Lumbini and group leaders Isipathana.

Richmond have an edge in the 111th encounter with the psychological advantage of having three Sri Lanka under-19 caps in skipper Charith Asalanka, Wanidu Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis in the side. The playing eleven will be selected from Pasindu Bimsara, Chamikara Hewage, Avindu Theekshana, Dhananjaya Lakshan, KK Kevin, Heshan Umesh, Kavindu Ediriweera, Thisara Dhivan, Tilanga Udeshana, Duvin Kalansuriya, Thaveesha Abhishek, Ravishka Wijesiri and Adithya Siriwardena. Coach Dhammika Sudarshana and master in charge Damith Prasanna are confident that Richmond will be the victors of the 111th Lovers Quarrel to make it three wins in a row.

Mahinda led by Pasindu Dilshan have faired well playing in group B of the schools League tournament this season with five first innings wins against Royal College Colombo, Royal College Panadura, Mahanama, Thurstan and Zahira and lost outright to St Joseph's College. The games against Maris Stella and Prince of Wales ended in no-decisions.

The Mahinda team comprises Pasindu Dilshan (Captain), Gihan Dhanushka (Vice Captain), Rishan Ranganath, Hansitha Welihinda, Ravindu Menaka, Visitha Sammana, Ashen Kandamby, Pethangoda, Hirusha Munasinghe, Navod Paranavithana, Binura Dulsara, Pramitha Hansika, Roshan Kavinda, Niahitha Malaka, Kavindu Maheesha, Methisha Ekanayake, Lakshan Asanka, Amal Liyanage, Shehan Dilruk and Suresh Kumara. Head coach Dhanushka Denagama who took over the responsibility of the Mahinda team just a month ago said that his team could stall the strong Richmondites if they get their act together at the Galle Stadium. DWK Hettiarachchi is the master in charge of the Mahinda team.

Who leads the series is a quarrel between the old boys of the two schools which has not been settled as yet. Richmond claim to lead the series with 24 wins to 20 while Mahinda insists that the series is square with 23 wins each.

But does it really matter as long as the series continues in the true spirit of the game?