Oldest Big Match in Central Hills: The Battle of the Maroons

By Shamseer Jaleel

The Oldest ‘Big Match’ in the Hill Capital between Dharmaraja College and Kingswood Colleges started at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (PICS) for the T.B. Tennekoon Memorial Challenge Shield; and this is the 114th encounter between the two Kandy schools.

Kingswood were bowled out for a low 120 and in reply Rajans made a bold reply ending day one on 81 without losing any wickets.

In the series Rajans have won on 35 occasions while the Randles Hill school accounted for 19 wins with 60 encounters ending in no decisions. Last Rajans win came in 2015 under Tharusha Weragoda while Kingswood’s last win was in 1958 under Maurice Fernando.

Chief scores

Kingswood 120 all out in 65.5 overs: Dumindu Bandara 51. Thisara Wanninayake 3 for 20, Sudeepa Ratnayake 2 for 20, and Upendra Warunakulasuriya 2 for 30 

Dharmaraja 81 for 0: Pulindu Perera 44 not out, Sachindu Dissanayake 37 not out