Jaffna prepares for school cricket’s biggest fest as St Patrick’s takes on Jaffna College

The cricketing heart of the Northern province beat louder than ever this week as the historic city of Jaffna came to a standstill. The occasion was the 109th edition of the “Northern Battle of the Golds”, the annual “Big Match” between two of the island’s most prestigious institutions: St Patrick’s College and Jaffna College, Vaddukkodai. This year the colossal clash will be unveiled from 12th to 14th March at the Jaffna College Grounds, Vaddukoddai.

First played in 1906, the Northern Battle of the Golds is the second oldest big match played in the Jaffna peninsula and rated as the sixth oldest big match that features in Sri Lanka. St Patrick’s College, Jaffna, emerged as the more dominant side in the battle, with 35 victories under their belt. On the contrary, Jaffna College, Vaddukkodai, had also showcased spirited efforts during this century-old tradition and posted 17 victories so far.

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During the epic battle of last year (2025), Jaffna College, Vaddukkodai, which was led by Sithamparalingam Mathusan, reclaimed a 59-run victory by ending their title drought that spanned 52 years. Skipper Mathusan set the tone for the victory by taking 11 wickets, including 5-wicket hauls in both innings, in addition to his valuable contribution with the bat (44 runs) in the low-scoring affair. St Patrick’s College had their recent success a couple of years ago (2023), when they posted a massive victory by an innings and 23 runs.

The title holders, Jaffna College, Vaddukoddai, will be out to defend the title under the captaincy of the opening batsman, Robinson Uthayakumar Johnson. The skipper has scored 284 runs during this season (with 3 half-centuries), including a vital knock of 84 runs against Kokuvil Hindu College as his top score. Middle-order batsman Vasuthevan Vishnugoban is another player to watch who has already scored a century for his side recently. Further, Ketheeswaran Harishan, Hamish Harmishon, and Uthajaraja Kenreksan will be eager for some runs.

The right-arm leg spinner, Vasuthevan Vishnugoban, will spearhead the Jaffna College bowling attack, having taken 22 wickets so far during this season, including a couple of five-wicket-hauls. The off-spinning grit Hamish Hamishon kept being a threat to their rival by picking 20 wickets during the five games that they had played. Further, Anushanthan Harmishan, Supesan Thaksikan, Uthajaraja Kenreksan, Thivakaran Karthikan and Antony Rithman Abinaath will rally around their key bowlers as they are looking to defend the title.

This year, St Patrick’s College will be led by the right-handed batting all-rounder Premanayagam Mathushan, but they failed to impress their fans as they were able to pull out a solitary outright victory against Ibbagamuwa Central College while other encounters ended in losing courses. Wicketkeeper batsman Nishanthan Harin Adrian is in fine form after scoring a vital 71 runs a week ago. But the solid opener, Sivanathan Shehaan, stands as the best batsman of the side by scoring over 200 runs during the season. Further Mathiyalagan Steef Adhithya (132 runs) is another player to watch as far as St Patrick’s outfit is concerned.

Right-arm fast bowler Selvakumar Smith Zenari is the most successful bowler in the side with a bag of 18 wickets, including the brilliant 7-wicket haul against Sir John Kothalawala College, Kurunegala. Apart from him, Sivanathan Shehaan (12) and Mathiyalagan Steef Adhithya (11) will also lead the bowling unit, as they are looking for redemption.

For now, the Northern Battle of the Golds is a cricketing festival that survived over a century of turmoil and triumph. The 109th edition will be another chapter in the storied history of cricket in the Jaffna Peninsula.

St. Patrick’s College; Premanayagam Mathushan (Captain), Sivanathan Shehaan (Vice Captain), Mathiyalagan Steef Adhithya, Robinson Bearly Denowan, Kammedan Lickshan, Vimalathas Defano, S Nishanthan Harin Adrian (WK), Selvakumar Smith Zenari, Jeyarajarupan Dinulaxsan, Jabinson Kemishan, Titus Jojesh, Rev. Fr. Anton Peter Thirumahan (Principal), Rev. Fr. Sahayatharshan Lembert Omi (Father in Charge of Sports), G. Ranjith Thevarajan (MIC), A. S. Nishanthan (Coach), Silvestre Sahayarajah (Consultant Coach), Patkunam Mathusan (Assistant Coach), Henrick Vijeyakumar Kiudweslan, Abdulrajan Ashobin, Thevarasu Sajeen Robert, Pratheep Elodius Tavin, Sureshkumar Jaanushan, Robinson Thevuson, Merinkilman Danushan, Rocksan Jehan Watson Shervin, Jeevaraj Mehavarshigan,

Jaffna College, Vaddukoddai; Robinson Uthayakumar Johnson (Captain), Ketheeswaran Harishan (WK), Vasuthevan Vishnugoban, S K Hamish Harmishon, Uthajaraja Kenreksan, Anushanthan Harmishan, Thivakaran Karthikan, Sasikaran Ashmin, Suresh Kabishan, Supesan Thaksikan, Antony Rithman Abinaath, Sathivel Sathujan, Balaruban Kevin, Sasikaran Sankeeth, Ketheeswaran Thirukumaran, Ravikumar Sarujan, Sasikanthan Kirishan, Rasajeyanthan Ashwien, Tayaparan Aksayan, P. M. Michael Dewadharshan (MIC), Packiyanathan Srikuhan (Coach), Rajagopal Kugan (Physical Education Director), Mrs. Rushira Kulasingham (Principal)