The northern capital city of Jaffna will host one of the oldest and most cherished sporting traditions in the island nation, the “119th Battle of the North” between St John’s College and Jaffna Central College from the 5th to the 7th of March.
First played in 1904, the Battle of the North is the second-oldest “Big Match” in Sri Lanka, trailing only the Royal-Thomian (the Battle of the Blues). For 119 years, this encounter has survived wars, economic hardships, and the changing tides of time by being a testament to the celebration of heritage, brotherhood, and the enduring spirit of the Northern Peninsula.
So far 118 encounters have been played, with St John’s dominating the victory tally with 40 titles. On the other hand, Jaffna Central boys are well known for their fighting spirit with an accumulation of 29 victories. St John’s won last year’s battle (2025) under the leadership of Jeyachandran Ashnath, and K. Sabesan guided Jaffna Central College for their recent success in 2023. As the two arch-rivals prepare to lock horns at the Jaffna Central College grounds on this Thursday, both sides are well prepared and eager to clinch the glorious title.
The St John’s outfit will be led by fifth-year Coloursman Murfin Randyo, who will definitely aim to continue their winning streak by securing a hat-trick of titles. Definitely the limelight will be on the right-arm slinging action bowler Kugathas Mathulan, who featured in the Sri Lanka youth team at the recently concluded ICC Under-19 World Cup.
Right-handed batter Nageshwaran Krishan leads the batting unit of St John’s with 414 runs (with 1 century and a half-century) during the season, with a top score of 115. Apart from him, the skipper Murfin Randyo also carried out some responsible innings with an aggregate of 368 runs (with 1 century and a couple of half-centuries) with a top score of 107. Apart from them, Sivakumar Nathenia, Satkunarajah Vinukshan, Jeeva Abisan and Kirubakaran Sanjuthan had already produced some vital knocks for St John’s College.
Johnian’s bowling lineup was led by Murfin Randyo, who took 37 wickets during the season. Further, Ganeshamoothy Kowsikan (33 wickets) and Puvaneshvaran Kishanth (24 wickets) followed him, while Uthayakumar John Shanon, Vijayaraja Sanjay and Sivakumar Nathenia kept pressuring the batsmen.
On the contrary, Jaffna Central College will rally around their skipper, third-year coloursman Antanneshan Abishek, and be determined to upset the apple cart of the Johnians. The all-rounder, Murali Thison, will be the trump card of Centralians, who got 302 runs under his belt, including three half-centuries with a top score of 88. Apart from batting, he had plucked 44 wickets during 7 matches by picking up 11 wickets on a couple of occasions. Kabilan Amalan is the top scorer of the side with 522 runs in 9 matches, including a brilliant century against Jaffna College, Vaddukoddai, and two half-centuries. The skipper Antanneshan Abishek has also impressed with the bat during the season by getting 258 runs under his belt. Deputy skipper Valantaen Haris, Jesuthasan Nitharsan, and Pathmakumaran Navinthan steer the Centralians’ bowling department.
The “119th Battle of the North” will be followed by the 23rd limited-overs encounter scheduled to be played on March 14 at St John’s College ground. Even in the limited-over battles, St John’s holds the upper hand with 12 victories, while Jaffna Central College also tightly contests it by clinching 10 victories.
Jaffna Central College- Seated from left – Pathmakumaran Navinthan, F.K. Shelton (Coach), Valanteen Haris (Vice Captain), C.S.R. Selvagunalan (Principal), Antanneshan Abishek (Captain), M. Kohilathas (Prefect of Games), Sajinthan Nijanthan, S. Manimaran (Master in Charge) Standing from left – Matheeswaran Karththikan, Nagarasa Sajith, Jesuthasan Nitharasan, Thavarasha Venujan, Alexander Nilavan, Murali Thison, Arulthas Sharalan, Kabilan Amalan, Jeyaseelan Jenoshan, Iyathure Kabishek, Uthayarasa Valtan, Vithanaka Ranuka, Saravanakumarn Tharishanan, Piratheep Danushan, Lokeswaran Pavish, Uthayarasa Asmin
St John’s College – Seated from left- C.A. Aravinthan (Prefect of Games), Kirubaharan Sanjuthan, Kugathas Mathulan, Murfin Randyo (Captain), V.S.B. Thuseetharan (Principal), Uthayanan Abijoyshanth (Vice Captain), Sivakumar John Nathenia, S. Thileepan (Master in Charge), A. Sansajan (Coach). Standing from left – Ganeshamoorthy Kowsikan, Puvaneswaran Kishanth, Kirubakaran Pirathesan, Sivashankar Kirshan, Jeeva Abisan, Uthayakumar Shanon, Vijayaraja Sanjay, Gajanthan Methun, Nageswaran Krishan, Satkunarajah Vinukshan, Dineshk Larun, Elango Vandat Mario, Aravinthan Avinikan, Gopalakrishnan Rojithan, Raveenthiran Dilojan
