The cricketing fraternity of the Wayamba Province is buzzing with unprecedented excitement as Maliyadeva College and St Anne’s College prepare to lock horns for the 42nd ‘Battle of the Rocks’ big match encounter scheduled to be played from March 20 to 22 at the Welagedara International Stadium in Kurunegala. This year’s encounter carries a special significance, marking the first time in the rivalry’s history that the match will be contested over three days.
The battle was initiated way back in 1959, with Nissanka Cooray (Maliyadeva) and Mahinda Yatawara (St. Anne’s) as captains, and the flagship event of the schools had been unluckily hated several times due to various concerns. The legendary left-arm spinner (all-time top left-arm wicket-taker in Test cricket) Rangana Herath, fast bowler Eric Upashantha, middle-order batsman Ranjith Madurasinghe, Twenty20 player Jeevantha Kulatunga, and wicketkeeper-batsman Minod Bhanuka represented the Maliyadeva outfit in their schooling days, while the wicketkeeper-batsman and former Sri Lanka Women’s team’s head coach Lanka de Silva played for St Anne’s College. As far as the overall victory tally is concerned, Maliyadeva College emerges as the undisputed king in the battle by securing six outright titles. On the other hand, though St Anne’s came close to their maiden title several times, the Devans have managed to hold their nerve and post a stalemate.
- Photos – Maliyadeva College Team Preview 2026
- Photos – St Annes College Team Preview 2026
- Jaffna prepares for school cricket’s biggest fest as St Patrick’s takes on Jaffna College
- Upcountry rivalry continues as Trinity-St. Anthony’s out to end decade long victory drought
- Richmond out to retain, while Mahinda look to reclaim, but a result is on cards
Maliyadeva College enters the arena with a highly balanced and formidable side under the leadership of talented all-rounder and fifth-year coloursman Dimath Abeysinghe. Abeysinghe, who was a member of the Sri Lankan junior national training squad in late 2024, has led from the front with both bat and ball. As a power hitter on the side, he has accumulated 405 runs this season, including a majestic century against De Mazenod College (126) and four half-centuries. His left-arm orthodox spin-bowling action has been inspired by their college legend and the world’s leading left-arm wicket-taker in Test cricket, Rangana Herath. So far he has taken 36 wickets, with a best match haul of 10/81 against Isipathana College, apart from his three 5-wicket hauls.
The Devans boast a powerhouse batting line-up that has been the backbone of their success. Wicket-keeper batsman Rajitha Navodya, batting at number one drop, has been the standout performer. With 724 runs from 10 matches, including three centuries and two fifties, Navodya is a crucial cog in the wheel. His highest score of 173 came against Wesley College, and he recently carried that form into the limited-overs tournament with an unbeaten 121 against Dharmaloka College. A former Sri Lanka under-17 player, Navodya’s experience will be vital.
Opener Thiwanka Pabasara has also been in rich touch, scoring 504 runs with a blistering 172 against St Sylvester’s, Kandy, as his hallmark innings, along with another half-tonne. The middle order is fortified by the former skipper and left-handed batter Chandupa Abeysinghe (458 runs, 4 fifties); Dushan Sayuranga (361 runs, 2 fifties); the power hitter Sonal Ashwin (258 runs, 2 fifties); Dineth Amarasingha (198); and Pehasara Bandara (192 runs, 1 fifty).
On the bowling front, alongside skipper Abeysinghe, vice-captain Thaveesha Balasooriya has chipped in with 34 wickets. Sonal Ashwin and Nishuda Chandrasiri have also been among the wickets, picking up 19 and 14 scalps, respectively.
St Anne’s College, led by the prolific all-rounder Yashmith Jayasundara, is not to be underestimated. Jayasundara has enjoyed a spectacular season, scoring 554 runs with six fifties and capturing a staggering 65 wickets from 12 matches, including six five-wicket hauls. His bowling exploits include a lethal match bag of 14/141 against St Servatius College, Matara. The Annites’ batting strength revolves around wicket-keeper batsman Kushan Subasinghe, who is the team’s leading run-getter with 842 runs. His tally includes a couple of brilliant centuries and seven half-centuries by maintaining a rare average of 52.63 runs.
The middle order features the hard-hitting and national youth-capped player Sanuja Dissanayake, who has accumulated 543 runs with a century and a couple of half-centuries and a top score of 127 runs. He is supported by opener Dinuga Abeysekara (463 runs, 3 fifties), Ishan Khan (427 runs, 3 fifties), Sanuka Kemsara (303 runs, 2 fifties), and Binura Denuwan (147 runs, 1 fifty).
In the bowling department, skipper Jayasundara is well-supported by the second-highest wicket taker, left-arm orthodox spinner Nesad Weerasekara (42 wickets). Further, the medium pacer Sanuja Dissanayake (27 wickets) and right-arm leg spinner Manuja Wijerathne (12 wickets) will add an extra depth to the Annites bowling unit.
An absorbing tussle is expected this weekend as both teams are evenly matched. With the match extended to three days, the prospects of a definite result have increased, adding an extra layer of excitement. As the Welagedara Stadium prepares to host thousands of spectators, the stage is set for a classic battle between bat and ball. Will Maliyadeva extend their series lead, or will St. Anne’s pull off an upset in this historic three-day format? Cricket fans in Kurunegala won’t have to wait long to find out.
Maliyadeva College Squad: Dimath Abeysinghe (Captain), Thaveesha Balasooriya (Vice Captain), Chandupa Abeysinghe, Rajith Navodya, Pahasara Bandara, Damlath Gamage, Dineth Amarasingha, Lakdula Rathnayaka, Nishuda Chandrasiri, Sonal Ashwin, Nethra Nirmala, Anjana Kalikotuwa, Sadew Hewawitharana, Dushan Sayuranga, Thiwanka Pabasara Dissanayake, Chenula Anujaya, Deew Nethusara, Tashen Sarathchandra, Gagana Pathiraja, Lakmal Deshapriya (MIC), Damith Gunathilaka (Head Coach)
St. Anne’s College Squad: Yashmin Jayasundara (Captain), Kushan Subasinghe (Vice Captain), Romal Munasinghe, Sehas Thilakaratne, Nesad Weerasekara, Sanuka Kemsara, Ishan Khan, Imasha Samarawickrama, Navindu Ratnayake, Yulan Jayakody, Dinuga Methviru, Binaru Denuwan, Gimhan Michael, Dihan Munasinghe, Imanjith Herath, Nethul Chandrasena, Pamuditha Liyanage, Deshan Udamulla, Sanuja Induwara, Manuja Wijeratne, Dinusha Jayasanka (Head Coach), Yasiru Jayarathne (Asst. Coach), Kavinda Kotuwegedara (Trainer)
