What to expect during this year’s Big Match season

Relentless rivalry, age-old traditions, colourful celebrations and mostly the much-practiced, multi-skilled cricket gives way during the month of March. As papare bands play their toe-tapping, hip-shaking and arm waving baila music, boys, old boys and well-wishers from the world over start getting geared for the excitement.

The blue-ribbon of all big matches Royal-Thomian will kick off its 139th encounter during the second weekend of March.

In Colombo, the 84th ‘Battle of the Saints’ between St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College will be quite an exciting event along with the 89th ‘Battle of the Maroons’ which is being played by two Buddhist institutions, Ananda College and Nalanda College in the first weekend of March.

The 113th ‘Lovers Quarrel’ between Richmond College, Galle and Mahinda College, Galle takes centerstage in the Southern part of the island while the oldest match in the hill capital, the ‘Battle of the Maroons’ takes place between Dharmaraja College and Kingswood College for the 112th time.

The 101st encounter between Trinity College, Kandy and St Anthony’s College, Katugasthota kick off during the second weekend in the upcountry.

The cricket-crazy towns of Moratuwa and Kurunegala will witness the ‘Battle of the Golds’ between St. Sebastian’s College and Prince of Wales’ College for the 68th year and the’ Battle of the Rocks’ between Maliyadeva College and St. Anne’s College for the 35th year respectively.

The newer big matches are being played by DS Senanayake College vsMahanama College (12th Battle of Gold), Dharmapala College, PannipitiyavsRahulaVidyalaya, Matara (7th Battle of the Golden Lions) and Hindu College, Colombo vs Hindu College, Jaffna (12th Battle of the Hindus).