- Thora eyeing lost shield, Royal aiming for victory
The Royal-Thomian ‘Battle of the Blues’, the second-longest uninterrupted school cricket series in the world and an encounter which survived two world wars, two insurgencies, a 30-year internal conflict, and a global pandemic, will see its 146th edition unfold at the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) Grounds starting today (6), and will be battled out tomorrow and Saturday (8).
The Royalists are led by Ramiru Perera while Kavindu Dias leads the Thomians. Both teams are coached by two respected alumni, Gamini Perera (Royal) and Nilanka Peiris (S. Thomas’).
The age-old rivalry dates back to 1879 where both teams met for the first time at Galle Face Green and later went onto become the blue riband event in Ceylon and Independent Sri Lanka’s cricketing encounters. Royal College are the current holders of the Rt. Hon. D.S. Senanayake Shield after winning it in a thriller by coming into the game as underdogs defying all odds against the favourites S. Thomas’ in 2023. The victorious Royalists who won by 180 runs were led by Dasis Manchanayake who went on to score a memorable century (137) whilst the current Royal skipper Ramiru Perera too scored a century (128). Thomians last won under Sithara Hapuhinna in 2019 after a valiant performance proving of Thomian Grit.
Team info: ‘Battle of the Blues’ 2025
Royal College:
Top run-scorer – Vimath Dinsara – 723 (2 centuries, 4 fifties), Rehan Peiris – 669 (1 century, 5 fifties), Ramiru Perera – 541 (2 centuries, 2 fifties)
Top wicket-taker – Ramiru Perera – 28, Sandul Abeywardena – 21, Ranuka Malaviarachchi – 19
S. Thomas’ College:
Top run-scorer – Dineth Goonewardena – 757 (119 vs. Richmond), Avinash Fernando – 461 (122 vs. Wesley), Mithila Charles – 410
Top wicket-taker – Aaron de Silva – 49, Abheeth Paranawidana – 40, Ranuka Malaviarachchi – 19
The Royal-Thomian encounter is older than the Ashes series between Australia and England. Many great Prime Ministers, a former President, ministers and leading citizens of the land in many fields have represented both schools in the ‘Big Match’. There have been many cricketers representing Ceylon and Sri Lanka from both schools with distinction. Some have captained the National Team with much acceptance.
‘Battle of the Blues’ – Tally
Played – 145
Royal – 36
S. Thomas’ – 35
Drawn – 74
A huge turnout of spectators ranging from schoolboys to old boys, friends and families are set to fill up the Royal College and S. Thomas’ College boys’ tents joining hands together to add glamour to this encounter which takes a carnival atmosphere all day long. Meanwhile, as usual, a large turnout of supporters from all around the world are here in Colombo this time as well to cheer both Royal and S. Thomas’ whilst fostering the spirit of the ever-famous ‘Roy-Tho’ rivalry.
Royal College:
Seated from left: Yasindu Dissanayake, Anura Prashanth (MIC), Nishantha Silva (Vice Principal), Rehan Peiris (vice captain), Krishantha Silva (Principal), Ramiru Perera (captain), Gamini Perera (Coach), Charith Fernando (Asst. Coach), Vimukthi Perera (Asst. Coach), Ranuka Malaviarachchi
First low from left: Tharul Ampemohotti, Shane Abeyratne, Thevindu Wewalwala, Vimath Dinsara, Isula Geeganage, Ryan Sugathadasa, Yenula Bandara, Dushen Udawela
Second row from left: Sandul Abeywardena, Sehandu Sooriyaarachchi, Chanithu Kankanamage, Khalid Rahimdeen, Hirun Liyanaarchchi, Anush Polonowita, Kuchila Ranmandala
S. Thomas’ College:
Seated from left: Darien Diego, Dineth Goonewardena (vice captain), Kavindu Dias (captain), Sadev Soysa, Abheeth Paranawidana
Standing from left: Mahith Rajapakse, Aaron de Silva, Minon Warnasuriya, Ayman Anzary, Jaden Amaraweera, Anshane de Silva, Mithila Charles, Arith Adikaram, Chanuth Eheliyagoda, Yowel Warnakulasuriya, Shanil Perera, Sachithra Gunasinghe, Avinash Fernando, Nethun Withanage, Reshon Solomons
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