A record-breaking success

By: Shamil Amit

In an outstanding display of skill and determination, S. Thomas’ College achieved a historic milestone on their 2025 UK cricket tour by winning all six matches played, a record achievement in the school’s cricketing history.

The tour was celebrated in grand style when the OTAUK hosted an official dinner at the House of Lords—the first time a Sri Lankan sports team at any level has been honoured with such an official event in the UK. This remarkable feat continues a proud tradition for STC cricket tours to the UK, and this was the third tour of the UK. The first being in 1997, organised by Warden Neville de Alwis and the team led by Nilanka Peiris, and in 2019, organised by Warden Mark Billimoria and led by Sithara Hapuhinna.

The boys were rewarded following STC’s big match wins against traditional rivals Royal, and with Dinesh Kumarasinghe as the head coach on both occasions, the team won all the matches that they played.

The present tour (2025) was organised by Acting Warden Asanka Perera for the team’s big match victory, with the team being led by Kavindu Dias, with Nilanka Peiris as the head coach and Dinesh Kumarasinghe serving as the Director of Sports.

This record-setting 2025 tour cements STC’s legacy as a powerhouse in Sri Lankan school cricket, showcasing not only sporting excellence but also the enduring spirit and dedication of the players, coaches, and supporters who make such achievements possible.

The STC Team has had the honour of visiting Lord’s Cricket Ground on three occasions in 1997, 2019, and 2025. 

RESULTS:

1st match vs Oxford CC – Won by 38 runs S. Thomas’ 151/5 in 20 overs (Avinash Fernando 52, Reshon Solomans 28, Chanuth Eheliyagoda 22; I. Rohan 2/22) Oxford CC 113/8 in 20 overs (S. Parman 22; Dineth Gunawardena 2/12, Aaron De Silva 2/14)

2nd match vs Old Wilsonians CC – Won by eight wickets Old Wilsonians CC 98 in 26.3 overs (S. Sherlock 20, S. Sivaranjan 16; Dineth Gunawardena 2/7, Shanil Perera 2/7, Darien Diego 2/10, Abheeth Paranavidana 2/16) S. Thomas’ 99/2 in 13 overs (Chanuth Eheliyagoda 28, Jaden Amaraweera 28, Avinash Fernando 28 n.o.)

3rd Match vs Old Wilsonians CC – Won by 23 runs S. Thomas’ 121/7 in 20 overs (Reshin Solomons 27, Avinash Fernando 20, Kavindu Dias 18) Old Wilsonians CC 98/7 in 20 overs (H. Tucker 32, Mahith Perera 22, G. Mathews 19; Mithila Charles 3/15, Aaron De Silva 2/14)

4th Match vs Hemel Hempstead CC (North London) – Won by 162 runs S. Thomas’ 267/6 in 40 overs (Reston Solomons 54, Jaden Amaraweera 39, Dineth Gunawardena 30, Darien Diego 29, Mithila Charles 54 n.o., Kavinda Dias 24 n.o.; Mark Blazer 2/30) Hemel Hempstead 105 in 23 overs (Mark Blazer 37, May Clark 19; Minon Warnasuriya 5/34, Aaron De Silva 2/19)

5th Match vs Mid Trinity Mud – Whitgiftian CC – Match Abandoned

6th Match vs Ealing CC – Match Abandoned

7th Match vs Harborne CC U19 – Won by 166 runs S. Thomas’ 260/3 in 40 overs (Sadev Soysa 33, Avinash Fernando 20, Arith Adikaram 105 n.o., Dineth Gunawardena 70 n.o.; T. Harris 2/60) Harborne CC 94 in 23 overs (Freddie Williams 27; Nethun Vithanage 4/31, Yowel Warnakulasuriya 2/2)

8th Match vs Merchant Taylors – Won by eight wickets Merchant Taylors 145 in 18.5 overs (Mithila Charles 3/33, Abheeth Palihawadana 2/7, Darien Diego 2/12, Aaron de Silva 2/14) S. Thomas’ 146/2 in 16 overs (Jaden Amaraweera 42, Arith Adhikaram 42, Dineth Gunawardena 25 n.o., Sadev Soysa 19 n.o.)