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55 drawn encounters in series .....:
Prince of Wales and St. Sebastian's long for result in 'Big Match'
by Dilwin Mendis Moratuwa Sports Special Cor.
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Prince of Wales - Seated L/R – Kalpa Fernando (Asst. Coach),
Vihanga Weerakkody Kasun Wickramathilleke (Master in
charge), Thilan Nimesh (vice captain), J.W.S. Siriwardene
(Principal), Jayanga Peiris (captain) Nadith Jayaweera
(Prefect of Games), Hasitha Lanka, Kushan Jayawickrama (Head
Coach). Standing L/R – Anjula Sahan, Dilanka Maduranga,
Kasun Fernando, Kanishka Aloka, Avindu Fernando, Sachintha
Dulshanm Rameesha Soysa, Kasun Ekanayake, Savindu Peiris,
Hasindu Shamika, Sandun Soysa, Vishva Chaturanga. (Picture
by Dilwin Mendis Moratuwa Sports Special Corr.) |
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St. Sebastian’s - Seated L/R – Samith Silva (Asst. Coach)
Premesh Fernando, Rev. Fr. Ruwan Pradeep (Prefect of Games),
Visal Senanayake (captain), Rev. Fr. Bonnie Fernandopulle
(Rector), Muditha Fernando (Vice Captain), Frank Cooray
(Master in Charge) Avishka Fernando, Nalin Wijesinghe
(coach). Middle Row – L/R – Praveen Perera, Schin Liyanage,
Shashika Fernando, Veeshan De Mel, Lahiru Heshan, Nimesh
Bandara, Sachintha Fernando. Standing Back Row – L/R Kusal
Lakthilina, Viraj Perera, Mishen Silva, Asher
Warnakulasuriya, Sundarawan Fernando (Picture by Dilwin
Mendis Moratuwa Sports Special Corr. |
The 65th Annual Big Match - the "Battle of the Golds" between Prince
of Wales and St. Sebastian's will be played on March 13 and 14 at the
Tyronne Fernando Stadium (De Soysa Park).
Then the 30th Limited-overs match will be played on 15th March at the
same venue.
The 'Big Match' series between Prince of Wales and St. Sebastian's
started in 1933 and there was a stoppage of the match between 1938 to
1953 and there was another stoppage in 1969 and 1970. After the second
stoppage the match has been going through without a 'break'.
The annual encounter was played without interruptions. This match was
played on either ground. The venue was changed in 1979 and taken to the
present ground and since then it has been played at the Tyronne Fernando
Stadium without interruptions. If this match want on without a 'break'
it would have been the 83rd 'Big Match'.
The first encounter was played at Prince of Wales grounds and the
captains were Dincan Fernando of Prince of Wales and Engene de Silva of
St. Sebastians. Last year's big match was led by Ashen Mendis and Luke
Jayadeva of Prince of Wales and St. Sebastians respectively.
Of the matches played so far, Prince of Wales have won 6 and St.
Sebastian's three and 55 games have ended in drawn encounters.
Prince of Wales recorded their first win in 1935 under Ernest F. de
Mel and his opposite number was Earl Wijesinghe while Sebastian's
recorded their first win in 1962 under Priyantha Fernando. Prince of
Wales were led by Hyasti Aponso.
The last Cambrian win was recorded in 1977 and the captain was Pemlal
Fernando and Walter Fernando led the sebs. St. Sebastian's last victory
was in 2011 and Sanitha de Mel captained the side while Isuru Thilina
captained the Cambrians.
This year, the captains Jayanga Peiris of Prince of Wales and Visal
Senanayake of St. Sebastians.
Cambrians are the hosts this year.
Last year's encounter was the 55th drawn game in the series and this
year, every one hopes that there will be a decision. |
