As the southern sea breeze gently sweeps across the Galle Fort, the historic city braces itself for its most anticipated annual event. The spotlight will be on the Galle International Cricket Stadium this weekend (from 19th to 21st March), not for a school match, but for a spectacle of passion, heritage, and raw schoolboy spirit: the 121st ‘Lovers’ Quarrel’ Big Match between Richmond College and Mahinda College, Galle.
Since its inception in 1905, the Lovers’ Quarrel big match stands as the sixth-oldest big match on the island and the second-oldest in the southern region, just behind the Battle of the Blues (Matara), played between St. Thomas’ College, Matara, and St. Servatius’ College. For over a century, this alluring encounter has stood as a cultural institution, a reunion of generations, and arguably the most vibrant school cricket fixture in the southern part of the island.
This legendary big match has been a cradle for many international cricketers, including Champaka Ramanayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Chamila Gamage, Suranga Lakmal, Martin de Silva, and Dhananjaya Lakshan, who represented Richmond College. Meanwhile, Lasith Malinga, Marvan Atapattu (who later moved to Ananda College), Upul Chandana, Thikshila de Silva, Navod Paranavithana, Stanley de Silva, Somachandra de Silva, Athula Samarasekera, Jayananda Warnaweera, Douglas Dias Jayasinha, Premachandra de Silva, D.H. de Silva, D.P. de Silva, and Neil de Silva represented Mahinda College. Additionally, the iconic Sri Lankan cricket superfan Percy Abeysekera is also a former Mahindian.
So far, Richmond College holds a slight edge in the overall tally with 24 victories, while Mahinda College trails closely with 23 wins. The last result came in 2019, when Richmond College, led by Thaweesha Abhishek, secured a six-wicket victory. Mahinda College last tasted success in 2008 under the leadership of Rajitha Priyan.
Heading into the 121st encounter, both sides have displayed flashes of brilliance throughout the current school cricket season. Richmond College, under the astute leadership of Bevin Jayawardhane, has had a solid campaign, showcasing depth in their batting line-up and versatility in their bowling attack. Mahinda College, however, has been the team to watch, peaking at the right time with a series of commanding performances, largely driven by the all-round prowess of their captain, Arosha Udayanga.
Leading Richmond College this year is the dependable wicketkeeper-batter Bevin Jayawardhane. A right-handed stroke-maker with a cool head, Jayawardhane epitomises the modern Richmond cricketer, remaining calm under pressure yet aggressive when required. As a wicketkeeper-batter, he serves as the foundation of the team. His ability to marshal the troops behind the stumps and provide stability in the middle order makes him the pivot around which Richmond’s fortunes will turn. So far, the skipper has amassed 535 runs, including three half-centuries.
While the skipper has lived up to expectations, the most prolific batter in the line-up is the left-hander Ameesha Rasanjana, who has scored 626 runs, including a century and three half-centuries. Additionally, right-hand opener Risindu Rupasinghe has contributed 540 runs with two fifties, providing solid starts in multiple games. The all-rounders Tenusha Nimsara and Minanga Ariyadasa will also support the top order to add further strength.
All-rounder Minanga Ariyadasa leads the Richmond bowling attack with 39 wickets this season. He is well supported by Nethuja Basitha (30 wickets) and vice-captain Tenusha Nimsara (26 wickets), who add depth to the spin department. Although Richmond has relied heavily on spin, Tenura Dias and Ranindu de Silva are always capable of turning a game around at any stage by dismantling opposition batting line-ups.
Standing in Richmond’s way are the Lions of Mahinda College, led by the talented Arosha Udayanga. Udayanga is a cricketer of classic proportions—a right-handed batter with a penchant for long innings (222 runs) and a handy spinner (21 wickets) who can trouble any batter on any surface. His left-arm spin will be crucial on the Galle surface, especially as the match progresses and the pitch begins to deteriorate. He has the ability to extract turn and bounce, making him a potent threat to the Richmond batting line-up. Additionally, his batting provides much-needed stability at the top of the order.
Left-handed wicketkeeper-batter Randula Mabarana leads the run charts with 692 runs, including a century and four fifties. He also scored a magnificent 115 against the formidable S. Thomas’ bowling attack. The consistent Thevindu Rashmika has accumulated 680 valuable runs, including two centuries and four fifties, highlighted by a superb innings of 151 against Nalanda. Deputy skipper and Sri Lanka U17-capped player Dulnith Darshana has further strengthened the batting unit with 578 runs, including a century and two half-centuries. Rising talent Dineth Pahasara played a mammoth innings of 175 against Nalanda College and has scored 429 runs this season. Additional contributions from Sehas Ashinshana (326), Kavindu Nimsara (220), and Sri Lanka U17-capped player Manitha Rajapaksha (326) add further depth to the batting line-up.
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Manitha Rajapaksha has been a destructive force in the Mahinda bowling attack, claiming 52 wickets, including six five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket match hauls. Fellow all-rounder Sehas Ashinshana has taken 26 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul. The rest of the bowling responsibilities are handled by emerging talents Kavindu Nimsara (14 wickets) and Gasandu Bisath (11 wickets).
This year, Aviyana Ceylon Resort has come forward as the title sponsor of the 121st Battle of the Lovers, which promises to be a celebration of both friendship and rivalry. While the players on the field will strive for glory, the stands will be filled with smiles, reunions, and nostalgia.
Richmond College Team
Seated (from left) Ravinu Randinu, Avindu Theekshana (Asst. Coach), Lahiru Maduwantha (Asst. Coach), P.A Dharmarathne (Asst. Principal), Bevin Jayawardena (Captain), Rusira Maddumahewage (Principal), Tenusha Nimsara (Vice Captain), Chamith Wickramasingha (MIC), Mahesh Sandaruwan (Head Coach), Sidath Priyankara (Asst. Coach), Nethuja Basitha.
Standing (from left) Hiruk Akalanka, Daham Sathsara, Ameesha Rasanjana, Chalindu Karunarathne, Punal Hansajith, Ranindu De Silva, Tenura Dias, Vihanga Indusara, Shevan De Soyza, Nethsara Akash, Minaga Ariyadasa, Risinu Rupasinghe, Senuk Dulmeth.
Mahinda College Team
Seated (from left) G.H. Sachith Lakmal (Asst. Coach), Jagath Samarakoon (Master in Charge – Junior), M.W. Ajith (PoG), Arosha Udayanga (Captain), Janaka Peduruhewa (Principal), Dulsith Darshana (Vice Captain), L.P. Weeraman (Deputy Principal – Sports), Y. Nishantha Kumara (MIC), T.D. Ajantha Kumara (Head Coach)
Standing (from left) Ruvinda Deshanjana, Kavindu Nimsara, Buddima Tharupathi, Naviru Nishitha, Kaveesha Githmal, Sehas Ashinsa, Thiyon Helika, Manitha Rajapaksha, Sadew Nethmina, Thevindu Rashmika, Randula Mabarana, Vishmitha Sathsara, Gesandu Bisas, Dineth Pahasara, Mandith Manodara, Rasanjaya Thisal
