The 60th ‘Battle of the Brothers’ encounter between Isipathana College and Thurstan College is all set to take place on 24 and 25 February at the SSC Grounds in Colombo.

As the curtain-raiser for the school big match season, the ‘Battle of the Brothers’ will be the first big match in the post-Covid era to have crowds in the stands to enjoy the game live. 

The encounter was first played in 1964 and the two schools are competing for the Blackham Wijewardena Memorial Trophy. Thurstan College are leading the tally with 6 wins while Isipathana College have won the battle only 4 times.

This year Isipathana College will be led by top order batter Naveen Kanishka. He is also the captain of the Isipathana rugby team, which makes him only the second Isipathanian to lead in two separate sports in the same year. Pradeep Nishantha is the Head Coach of Isipathana College.

Thurstan College is led by 3rd year colours-man and wicket-keeper batter Shanikya Deshapriya and coached by Heshan Thilakarathne.

During this season, Deshapriya has scored 617 runs with the bat. The most important player in the side is 4th year colours-man Vihas Thewmika, who has scored 572 runs and taken 68 wickets with his right arm off spinners. The second highest wicket taker in the side is left arm leg spinner and 3rd year colours-man Thanuga Palihawadana with 52 scalps. 

The 43rd limited-over battle for the W.A. De Silva Challenge Trophy will be played on 5 March at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. In addition, the 16th Twenty20 cricket match for the Priya Paranavitana Challenge Trophy will be held on 25 March at the Thurstan College Cricket Grounds.

The trophy is currently at Thurstan College after they won the two-day encounter back in 2019 under the leadership of Sandaru Dias. In that year, Thurstan College won the two-day game, the limited-over game, and the T20 match in a clean sweep over their arch rivals. That was also the last time crowds were allowed to watch the game at the grounds. 

In 2020, 2021, and 2022, the two-day encounter ended in draws. Isipathana College won the one-day match held in 2020. In 2021 and 2022, the limited-over match was not held. This year will see the return of the T20 match after 2019.

In addition to the big match, the past pupils’ match, the teachers’ match, and the bicycle race are also scheduled to be held between the two schools.