SHARJAH, March 2019: The 17th Gulf ‘Battle of the Blues’ between the old boys of two of the leading schools in Sri Lanka – Royal College, Colombo and S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia – will be held in the United Arab Emirates on Friday, 29 March at the Sharjah Wanderers Club grounds.
The encounter in the desert is an extension of the celebrations surrounding the 140th edition of the Royal-Thomian ‘Big Match’ which concluded in Colombo earlier this month. It is recognised as a blue riband sporting event in Sri Lanka because it is the oldest inter-school cricket encounter in the world, older than the ‘Ashes’ cricket series played between England and Australia, and a match that has been played every year without interruption even during the two World Wars.
Cricket fans from the large community of Sri Lankan expatriates are expected to make their way to watch not only the excitement in the middle but also experience the carnival-like atmosphere that will prevail and also participate in the family-oriented activities on the sidelines in the spirit of friendship and fun.
Commencing from 2pm, in addition to the 1st XI cricket match, the event will also feature a 2nd XI match, a veterans match, an improvised game of rugby and a ladies match. Surprises and prizes await participants and spectators, along with activities for kids and food stalls.
Since 2000, the “Gulf Battle of the Blues” has become a regular fixture in the UAE, and with the two teams consisting of highly talented players, many of them having previously represented their respecitve schools in the big matches in Colombo, cricket fans in the UAE can look forward to yet another rousing affair.
There are thousands of former students from both schools domiciled abroad, and many of them fly to Colombo to attend their ‘Big Match’ every year, while others belonging to the alumni associations of these two schools, and who form a key component of the Sri Lankan expatriate communities overseas, usually organise their own version of the ‘Big Match’ in their respective countries of domicile.
In the UAE, the two schools boast of a vibrant old boys network that focuses on numerous activities apart from cricket, such as organising social events for old boys and their families, as well as supporting charity projects and initiatives undertaken by their Alma Mater back home.
This year, Yasitha Abeyoon is the skipper of the Old Royalists, exactly 10 years after he captained Royal in the Big Match.
“We have a well-balanced side and are confident of making a positive impact in this match in the UAE. But the game is more a way to put the spotlight on Sri Lanka’s great traditions in every aspect of life, from schools to sports and hospitality, and the spirit of camaraderie experienced by Sri Lankans living asd working in the UAE,” said Yasitha.
S.Thomas captain, Rajivan Radhakrishnan, said: “It is definitely not just any game. Most importantly, we are able to relive fond memories of being part of a great school. I am very fortunate to be a part of cricket history created in UAE for the 17th Gulf ‘Battle of the Blues between the old boys of two great cricketing schools in Sri Lanka. It takes our memories back to the wonderful days of school cricket played in the right spirit and makes us become schoolboys all over again.”
The final teams will be chosen from the following squads:
ROYAL
Yasitha Abeyoon (Capt), Amila Kariyawasam, Sugeesha Dinushan, Dhanushka Edussuriya, Shehan Jayawardena, Nurendra Perera, Amal Karunaratne, Mohammed Najmi, Shehan de Silva, Kushan, Daminda, Lahiru, Thushan, Roshan, Niroshan, Bala, Asiq, Shihan, Kethish, Kiruba, Hathim, Sohan, Raneez, Sadesh and Dilshan.
S. THOMAS
Rajivan Radhakrishnan (Capt), Jonathan Devadason, Sadesh De Silva, Randesh Vass, Charith Senadeera, Rukshan Mendis, Anura Bandaranayake, Nimesh Chamara, Aaron William Benjamin, Richard Rodrigo, Nithanthan Elilventhan, Bhathiya Karunaratne, Meshad Peiris and Rashmilan Mohammed.
