146th "Battle of the Blues" Cricket Encounter Kicks Off

The highly anticipated 146th edition of the “Battle of the Blues” cricket encounter between Royal College, Colombo, and St. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, commenced today at the SSC Stadium in Colombo.

This historic three-day match will continue on March 7 and 8, showcasing one of the most prestigious school cricket rivalries in the world.

First played in 1879, the Royal-Thomian encounter holds the distinction of being the second-oldest school cricket match globally and the only uninterrupted annual school cricket competition. Over the years, the competition has grown to symbolize the spirit of sportsmanship and fierce rivalry between two of Sri Lanka's most prominent schools.

The teams will be vying for the coveted D.S. Senanayake Memorial Shield, a prized trophy that has been claimed 36 times by Royal College and 35 times by St. Thomas’ College, highlighting the close competition between the two schools over the years.

As the match unfolds at the SSC Stadium, cricket fans from across the island and alumni of both schools eagerly await the outcome of this historic encounter, which continues to capture the imagination of generations.