Two powerhouses vie for glory at Kandy – Trinity-Anto Match Preview

March Madness 2020

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The 103rd edition of the Trinity-Anto annual Hill Country Battle of the Blues cricket encounter will take center stage on the 13th and 14th of March as two of the prestigious cricketing power houses in the country will battle it out for glory again at the Asgiriya Grounds in Kandy.

History

One of the oldest annual school cricket encounters in Sri Lanka, the Battle of the Blues dates back to 1914 and is played for the most coveted John Halangoda Memorial Trophy.

Out of the 102 games played, the Trinitians have won 23 while 11 have ended in favour of the Antonians. The last outright win for the Antonians was recorded way back in 1992 and Trinity won last in 2012 under Niroshan Dickwella after a lapse of 26 years. 

>>Highlights – Trinity College vs St. Anthony’s College | Hill Country Battle of the Blues – 38th One Day Encounter<<

Last year, the Hill Country Battle of the Blues was concluded as a draw after the Antonian’s managed to secure 1st innings honours.

Trinity College

2019/20 season

Trinity College, under the leadership of Sri Lanka U19 cap, Ruwin Peiris has been a dominant force this season, bringing home 8 outright wins out of the 15 they’ve contested, with the rest being draws. 

Results

Vs Results
Joseph Vaz College Won
St. Servatius’ College Won
Richmond College Won
St. Thomas’ College Drawn
Lumbini College Won
Zahira College Won
St. Joseph’s College Drawn
Nalanda College Won
Wesley College Drawn
St. Sebastian’s College Won
Ananda College Won
Royal College Drawn
S. Thomas’ College Drawn
Mahanama College Drawn
De Mazenod College Drawn

Key Players

Undoubtably, the star of the team is the vice-captain, Abishek Anandakumar who has had an exceptional season so far with his all-round performances. Anandakumara has been a real threat with the ball accounting for more than 70 wickets and has also surpassed the 600-run barrier topping the batting and bowling charts for College. 

>>Photos: Trinity College U19 Cricket Team Preview 2019/20<<

Apart from the vice-Captain, Shane Gunathilaka, Ranuda Somarathna and Thewin Amarasinghe have also breached the 500-run mark while Uwindu Wimalarathna and skipper Ruwin Peiris have doen well with the ball for Trinity this season. 

Probable XI Shane Gunathilaka, Umair Raizan, Thewin Amarasinge, Abhishek Anandakumar, Pasan Ganegoda, Ranuda Somarathna, Dinitha Siriwardene, Ruwin Peiris (C), Deemantha Bandara, Uvindu Wimaladharma, Matheesha Pathirana  

St. Anthony’s College

After their promotion to division 01 last year, St Anthony’s College has punched above their weight this season, topping their group, winning 7 out of their 15 matches with only 2 defeats.

Results

Vs Results
S. Thomas’ College Drawn
Wesley College No Result
St. Sebastian’s College No Result
Moratu Maha Vidyalaya Won
Prince of Wales’ College Drawn
Royal College Lost
St. Anne’s College Won
St. Joseph’s College Lost
Kingswood College Won
Dharmaraja College Won
Ananda College Drawn
Maliyadeva College Won
Dharmapala Vidyalaya Won
St. Peter’s College Drawn
Dharmasoka College Won

Key Players

Their skipper Mohommad Kamil has led from the front with more than 500 runs in the season, leading the runs columns while left arm spinner Nimnaka Jayathilaka has continued his brilliant form from last season.

>>Photos: St. Anthony’s College, Kandy U19 Cricket Team Preview 2019/20<<

Another one to watch out for in the Antonian camp is Sri Lanka U19 Cap, Chamindu Wickramasinghe who missed most of the season due to national duties. All-rounders, Wickramasinghe and Gihan Ebert’s contributions will be crucial for the St Anthony’s College if they are to rewrite the record books after 28 years.

Probable XI – Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Lasitha Werellagama, Prabhath Sachin, Mohomed Kamil (C), Asitha Wanninayaka, Anjala Bandara, Gihan Ebert, Tharindu Lamahewage, Divyesh Ramaiya, Sasith Hirudika, Nimnaka Jayathilaka

Both teams have equally talented outfits as both have had excellent seasons so far in their respective groups. The Trinitians closed out the group stages of the Singer U19 Schools Cricket Tournament ranked No. 1 overall in the country while the Antonians aren’t far behind in 3rd place.

Currently two of the best teams in the schools’ arena, Trinity and St Anthony’s have done extremely well, notching up victory after victory this season ensuring that the 103rd Battle of the Blues will be a thrilling encounter in the Hill Capital.

All the action from the 103rd Hill Country Battle of the Blues will be brought to you live on thepapare.com, dialog tv and mytv from 9.00am onwards on the 13th and 14th of March.

>>MARCH MADNESS<<