A new rivalry will begin as the girls’ cricketing powerhouses of Sabaragamuwa and the North Western Province — Kegalu Balika Vidyalaya and Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya — confront each other in the inaugural edition of the “Clash of the Crowns” school big match, which will be played on Saturday, 21 June, at the picturesque Welagedara International Cricket Stadium in Kurunegala.
Maliyadeva Balika will proudly host the encounter under the guidance of the principals of both schools — Nirodha Abeywickrama (Maliyadeva Balika) and H.T.D.K. Jayarathne (Kegalu Balika).
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This historic encounter will serve as a motivator for other girls’ schools to step onto the field in a sport still largely considered male-dominated in Sri Lanka. Moreover, it marks a significant milestone for girls’ school cricket in the provinces, providing a platform for young girls to showcase their talent while fostering sportsmanship and competitive spirit. Fans from both Kegalle and Kurunegala are expected to gather in large numbers, adding to the electric and carnival-like atmosphere of this inaugural battle.
Kegalu Balika Vidyalaya has a rich history in girls’ cricket, having featured in the island’s very first girls’ leather ball cricket match against hometown archrivals St. Joseph’s Girls’ College in 2001. The big match continued for several years before sadly coming to a halt.
The Maliyadeva Balika team will be led by the promising Danuli Thennakoon, who was a member of the Sri Lanka national under-19 squad at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup held in Malaysia earlier this year. The Devians, from the “City of the Tuskers,” are equipped with specialist and consistent batters, threatening frontline bowlers, and a few versatile all-rounders to maintain a strong balance in the side.
The team is coached by veteran Wimanga Perera, who brings vast experience as both a player and a coach. A proud product of Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala, he is a former national under-19 player and has also represented Kurunegala YCC and Ragama CC in domestic cricket.
Batting all-rounder K.A. Hiruni Perera will lead the Sabaragamuwa brigade, and her team is determined to give the Devians a bitter pill to swallow on their home turf. The lasses from Kegalle boast an energetic and talented young side, eager to reclaim former glory.
The event will be powered by Janatha Automobile (Pvt) Ltd. as the Platinum Sponsor, a testament to their commitment to youth development and the upliftment of women’s sports in Sri Lanka. The Gold Sponsor will be Matha Foreign Employment Agency, Kurunegala, a leader in the field of foreign employment. The official hospitality partner will be the Asliya Golden Cassandra Hotel.
Details of this landmark event were revealed during a press briefing held at the Asliya Golden Cassandra Hotel, Kurunegala, on 16 June. The principals of the respective schools, proud sponsors, school players, and representatives from the respective Old Girls’ Associations were present to grace the occasion.
Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya Squad:
Danuli Thennakoon (Captain), Maheema Dunusinghe (Vice Captain), M.M.S. Thennakoon, H.M.I.H. Herath, K.P.R. Karunasinghe, S.R.B.M.I.J. Bandara, M.I.L. Abeykoon, S.M.U.N. Kumarasingha, K.D. Karunasinghe, J.B.R. Panchali, A.G.B.D. Galappaththi, P.R.D.O. Senevirathne, E.U.I. Dassanayake, I.K.M.D.S. Ilangasinghe, K.A.D.C. Karunarathne, A.A.I. Dewmini, P.C. Eththalapitiya, R.W.V. Kalanima, Sithumi Wandana, A.M.A.T. Amarasingha
Coach – Wimanga Perera
Teacher-in-Charge – Deepika Hettiarachchi
Master-in-Charge – Rasika Ranathunga
Kegalu Balika Vidyalaya Squad:
Hiruni Perera (Captain), Sadewmi Liyanage (Vice Captain), Chaduli Jayathilake, Damsari Jayawardene, Yenuli Jayathilake, Rashmi Dodamkumbura, Tharushi Wijayalath, Kavidi Gunathilake, Anuravi Medagedara, Bagya Kumarapperuma, H.S.N. Pushpakumari, Nethu Nimnadi, Tharupaba Weerasinghe, Hansanadee Jayalath, N.G.R.D. Madushani, Ameesha Idumini, Sasiri Ramanayake, Nuwanthi Marasinghe, Chathuni Wickramasinghe
Coach – T.H.I.T.D.K. Thirimanne
Master-in-Charge – Y.B.M.C.N.J. Yapa Bandara
 will confront each other in the inaugural edition of the “Clash of the Crowns” school big match, which will be played on 21 June (Saturday) at the picturesque Welagedara International Cricket Stadium in Kurunegala.){kind=link}