Strong Richmond College cricket team will take the field on Friday with the hope of breaking a long standing 44 year old hoodoo to win their annual 109th ‘Lovers Quarrel’ big match encounter against Mahinda College which starts on 21st of March at Galle International Cricket Stadium.
Both teams are evenly poised to dish out one of the finest cricket to be played during the 2014 big match season and the picturesque city of Galle is captivated in festive mood with flags in every corner ready for the most anticipated cricketing rivalry of the town
History of the Encounter
Richmond College and Mahinda College – Two of the best cricketing schools in the southern part of Sri Lanka started their Lovers Quarrel in 1905 where Richmond College won the inaugural encounter. Mahinda College won their first game in 1908. Mahinda College was the last to force a win when they registered a comfortable 10 wicket win over their arch rivals in 2008. Richmond College last registered a win in 1969 and since then they have been deprived of a win.
The best all-round performance in the series was put-up by a Mahindian named Somasiri Ambawatte. Somasiri captured all 10 wickets of Richmond in the first innings and another 5 in the second and scored a century in the same match in 1953 which was one of the rarest feats to achieve. Highest innings total was amassed in 1972 when Mahinda College scored 359 in their first innings. P.H Ranasinghe of Mahinda College scored 162 runs in 1972 during Mahinda’s total 359 which is the record for the highest score in the series.
Recap of 2013 encounter
108th Lovers Quarrel was a thrilling match played between these teams. Richmond College was led by Hasitha Madushan while Mahinda College was captained by Nirwantha Thikshila. Mahinda College won the toss and elected to bat first. Their first innings was hampered by AK Tyron who took 6 wickets for Richmond College as Mahinda College were bowled out for 198 runs with Eranga Sangeeth top scoring with 53 runs. Richmond College was 176 for 7 in their first innings before they made an unimaginable declaration. Left handed Skipper Hasitha Madushan scored 70 runs while left arm leg spinner Chalana De Silva captured 4 wickets.
AK Tyron was the destroyer once again as he bundled out the Mahinda College second innings for only 91 runs. Chasing 114 to victory, Richmond College were 91 for the loss of 2 wickets in 9 overs with left hand opening batsman Sithara Gimhan stroking a quick-fire unbeaten 65 runs.
Champion Richmond outfit
Richmond College will be led by their under 19 national player AK Tyron. Right arm off spin bowler and right hand middle order batsman AK Tyron will be the star attraction as he is a player with great potential. He missed most matches of the schools season due to national commitments but he has managed to capture 27 wickets in 4 matches. Richmond College are the all island under 19 division one champions with a massive 279 points obtained by registering ten outright wins against Dharmapala, S. Thomas’ Mt Lavinia, St. Servatius, Dharmasoka, Prince of Wales, St. Aloysius, Revatha, Wesley, S de S Jayasinghe and St Thomas’ Matara and four first innings wins against Kingswood, Thurstan, Maliyadeva and Royal this 2013/14 season.
Fourth year player Sithara Gimhan is the vice-captain of the team and he led the team in many outings due to AK Tyron’s absence. Sithara has scored 810 runs with one century and has had more than 40 victims behind the stumps. Richmond College became the champs for the second consecutive year and their last year’s captain Hasitha Madushan is a pivotal cog in their line up this year as well. Hard hitting elegant left hand batsman Hasitha has more than 800 runs with three consecutive centuries to his credit during this season.
In the bowling department, second year player and right arm off spinner Waruna Deshapriya is the most triumphant bowler in the team this season capturing 84 wickets. He has match bags of 10/102 against Prince of Wales and 12/113 against St. Joseph’s during the 2013/14 season. Third year player Saveen Nanayakkara who missed the opportunity to represent Sri Lanka under 19s has taken 55 wickets with his left arm leg spin bowling.
Formidable Mahinda outfit
Led by dynamic all-rounder Malith Mahela De Silva, Mahinda College is another competitive team who are well balanced like their counterparts. Mahinda College had been playing exceptionally well towards the latter part of the two-day tournament to reach the 5th place of the under 19 division 1 tournament points table. Mahinda College registered six outright wins against Nalanda, Maliyadeva, Revatha, Rahula, St. Aloysius and Presidents’ College and they lost on a single occasion against Prince of Wales College.
Fourth year coloursman and captain Malith Mahela had a terrific season capturing 95 wickets including three ten wicket hauls with his left arm leg spin and have scored over 550 runs. Malith Mahela will be the key bowler for Mahinda College and he will be well supported by Thamith Kalhara who has taken over 65 wickets with his right arm off spin bowling.
Vice-Captain and stumper of the team Ishara Akalanka will open the batting for Mahindians. Ishara has scored over 450 runs and has been accounted for 40 victims this season. Piyushan Kulatunga will be the other opening batsman and the fresher has scored over 500 runs this season. Mahinda’s best batsman will be their right handed second year player Dulash Udayanga who has scored over 950 runs this season with three brilliant centuries to his name.
Prediction
Both teams are evenly poised and it should be a cracker of a game at Galle International Stadium this weekend. Richmond College has a slight edge over Mahinda College as they have a well-balanced champion side who know to win, but Mahinda on the other hand will not go down without a fight as they are very capable of turning the tides to their side. Richmond College will be desperate to break the 44 year old hoodoo but another draw is likely.
Richmond College squad:
1. AK Tyron (Captain)
2. Sithara Gimhan (Vice Captain)
3. Hasitha Madushan
4. Thisara Bhanuka
5. Pasindu Bimsara
6. Saveen Nanayakkara
7. Wanidu Hasaranga
8. Udara Kumarage
9. Kelum Nanayakkara
10. Chamod Piuman
11. Waruna Deshapriya
12. Harindu Hasintha
13. Kamindu Mendis
14. Hashan Chamikara
15. Charith Asalanka
Mahinda College squad:
1. Malith Mahela (Captain)
2. Ishara Akalanka (Vice Captain)
3. Nilanka Laksiri
4. Thamith Kalhara,
5. Dulash Udayanga
6. Krishan Rangajith
7. Visitha Sammana
8. Champika Gunawardhana
9. Wikum Binuka
10. Gihan Dhanushka
11. Yohan Lakshitha
12. Pasindu Dilshan
13. Piyushan Kulathunga
14. Sachika Udara
15. Tharuka Samarawickrema
16. Lakshan Himbatugoda
