After a lapse of two years, the two leading schools in the Southern Province - Richmond and Mahinda - will battle in the 117th ‘Battle of the Lovers’ annual big match today and tomorrow at the Galle International cricket stadium.
This big match could not be held during the last two years because of the pandemic.
Richmond won the big match in 2019 with skipper Thaveesha Abishek hitting an unbeaten 99 to lead the series with 24 wins. Mahinda has 23 wins.
This season Mahinda played in the division one Tier B tournament and lost in the quarter-finals to St Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya while Richmond have a better record defeating Mahanama in the division one Tier A semi final. They are expected to play their final soon after the big match on April 20 against St Joseph’s at Police Park.
Squads
Richmond: Bhanuka Manohara (captain), Kalpa Nethsara (vice captain), Kavindu Nirmana, Vishara Fernando, Tharinda Nirmal, Ruwan Jayawardena, Janeth Kaushal, Maheesha Vethmin, Hansamana de Silva, Sharon Abishek, Malsha Tharupathi, Thamindu Pradeeptha, Chehan Subasinghe, Sihath Ramanayake, Imesh Sasindu, Seneth Sisan, Kaveesha Induwara, Sanahas Ramindu, Manuja Dulneth, Stephan Selvanayagam, Nuwan Jayasinghe (Master-in-charge), Lakmal de Silva (Head coach), Umal Durage (coach), Dinusha Jayasanka (coach)
Mahinda: Kushan Madusha (captain), Dhanuja Induwara (vice captain), Hiruna Mandila, Shakaya Prasanjana, Dinura Kalupahana, Danindu Chamikara, Kaveen Rukshan, Tharusha Dilshan, Shehan Hasaranga, Chandupa de Silva, Pramesh Madubhashana, Nikil Jayaweera, Deneth Kaushalya, Dulana Rajapaksha, Ranidu Nimsara, Sewmina Dharaka, Arosha Udayanga, Pasindu Madushan, Y. Nishantha Kumara (Master-in-charge), Umega Chathuranga (Head coach), Pradeep Kumara (Asst coach)