Trinity-Antonian big match celebrates ‘A century of friendly rivalry’

Trinity College Kandy Principal Andrew Fowler-Watt and St. Anthony’s College Kandy Principal/Rector Rev Fr. Henry Bernard Wijeratne holding the John Halangoda Trophy of the Trinity-Antonian Big Match with Old Antonians Cricket Wing President Asela Herath together with Trinity College Cricket Foundation President Nilantha Ratnayake

The much awaited centenary cricket encounter between Trinity College, Kandy and St. Anthony’s College, Kandy will be played under the title ‘A century of friendly rivalry’ on 10 and 11 March at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium.

 In line with its celebrations to commemorate the centenary big match between the two schools, the Trinity-Antonian joint committee recently hosted a press conference at the Galadari Hotel, Colombo to officially launch the website of the event, www.trinityantonian.com, and announce its activities leading up to the big match. 

St. Anthony’s and Trinity College are two of the oldest schools in Kandy and the Trinity-Antonian cricket encounter is the sixth-oldest school cricket tournament in Sri Lanka. The two schools have a very rich cricket history and are also two of the oldest schools that took up the game in Sri Lanka. According to past records, Trinity College played their very first cricket match in 1893 whereas St. Anthony’s played theirs in 1899. 

 Speaking about the centenary big match, Trinity College, Kandy Principal Andrew Fowler-Watt, said: “The annual Trinity-Antonian big match is one of the most prestigious cricketing encounters in the Sri Lankan schools cricket calendar. I am extremely pleased to be a part of this historic event as it is going from strength to strength in terms of traditions and cricketing excellence.”

 While commending the great discipline shown by the past and present boys and cricketers both in and out of the field, St. Anthony’s College, Kandy Principal and Rector Rev. Henry Wijeratne OSB said: “This is indeed a remarkable achievement by two of  the biggest and oldest schools in Kandy. ‘Hill Country›s Battle of the Blues’ is an exemplary match to all the other schools as it is a great platform that showcases class, talent and the spirit of friendly rivalry.”

From left: Old Trinitians Sports Club President Kumar Dias, Trinity College Cricket Foundation President Nilantha Ratnayake, Trinity College Kandy Principal Andrew Fowler-Watt, St. Anthony›s College Kandy Principal/Rector Rev Fr. Henry Bernard Wijeratne, Old Antonians Cricket Wing President Asela Herath, Old Antonians Cricket Wing Ranjith Peiris and Centenary Match Committee President Chandika Jayawardena

 A Joint Committee headed by the Principals of Trinity College and St. Anthony’s College  have released the official event logo to be used in connection with all activities related to this centenary big match. There will be a series of events such as the joint dinner dance and two get-togethers both in Kandy and Colombo, the traditional tea party between the two teams, the Antonian Cricket Carnival and many more activities which have been organised to commemorate this historic occasion. The joint committee is being ably supported by the Old Antonians Cricket Wing, the Trinity College Cricket Foundation and the Old Trinitians Sports Club in planning and implementing the match and related events.

The tally, as it stands today after 99 encounters, has Trinity College with 23 wins, St. Anthony’s College with 12 wins and 64 ending without a decision. While a majority of the wins registered by Trinity were in the pre-independence era, the Antonians have had the better of exchanges since independence. 

In the latter part of the last century, a trophy was introduced in the memory of John Halangoda, who was a product of Trinity College and was subsequently the cricket coach of St. Anthony’s College.

Both schools have a proud history of producing some excellent cricketers who have gone on to shine in both the local and international arenas. Amongst them are Jack Anderson, A.C.M. Lafir, Mahes Goonatilleke, Bernard Perera, Marlon Von Hagt, Ruwan Kalpage, Piyal Wijetunge, Muttiah Muralitharan and Sajith Fernando from St. Anthony’s and Ravi Ratnayeke, Nilantha Ratnayake, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Sachith Pathirana, Niroshan Dickwella and Lahiru Kumara from Trinity. 

These two schools have produced the most number of international cricketers and also the most number of schoolboy cricketers of the year from the Central Province. The world’s highest wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan and the highest run-scorer Kumar Sangakkara are products of these two schools which is indeed a unique feature.