142nd Royal-Thomian big match to be played at SSC

The 142nd Royal-Thomian Cricket big match, which was postponed twice this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will be played on 28th, 29th and 30th of October at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.

The relevant government authorities have granted permission for the match to be played with strict guidelines to be adhered by the organisers, the Royal-Thomian joint match organizing committee said.

The statement by the  Royal-Thomian Joint Match Organizing Committee

The “Royal –Thomian Cricket Match” with its rich history spans 142 years, has an important place not just in the traditions of both schools, but also in the history of cricket, being the oldest uninterrupted cricket series in Sri Lanka and the second longest in the world. Having been postponed twice already this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic the 142nd Royal Thomian encounter will now be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo on the 28th, 29th and 30th of October 2021.

The two Heads of Schools (HOS) have made the decision to proceed with the plans for playing the match in consultation with their respective cricket Advisory Committees and the Joint Match Organizing Committee (JMOC), having taken into consideration the improving Covid-19 health situation as well as the recent government circular permitting the resumption of some sports, including cricket.

The relevant government authorities have granted permission for the match to be played with strict guidelines to be adhered by the organisers. Consequently, the match will be played behind closed doors / without any invitees or spectators. Further, the two teams and match officials will be following all Covid-19 protocol and health and safety guidelines of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) that will regulate playing conditions, as well as be within a Bio Secure Environment (BSE) as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Health. As always, the safety of the school boys will be of paramount importance.

It must be further noted that the two Schools and the JMOC will not be organizing any event other than the match itself, and that neither the two Schools, nor their two Alumni associations nor the Joint Committee have endorsed or authorized any groups gathering to view the match at the SSC or any other location. The JMOC has made arrangements to broadcast the match LIVE with our principal sponsor Dialog Axiata via PAPARE channel on Dialog TV in the interest of all present boys, old boys, parents, supporters, and the cricket-loving public who are encouraged to watch from the comfort of their homes.