Sooriyawewa to host 142nd Battle of Blues?
Sooriyawewa is a venue easy to manage under present health and travel restrictions due to COVID-19 - File pic
The blue riband annual cricket encounter between Royal College and S. Thomas’ College is likely to maintain its continuity despite speculations of tradition big matches may have to forego the year 2021. According to reliable sources, the 142nd encounter between Royal and S. Thomas’ will take place after all, but behind closed gates at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa, Hambantota.
Though officials of the joint organising committee and the two institutions remain hushed on the possibilities and arrangements of the 2021 encounter, the Sunday Times learns that both schools have tentatively earmarked April 8, 9 and 10 for the 142nd Roy-Tho encounter.
Discussions, as it is learnt, are still ongoing to declare a final date, but it is confirmed that the game will be played at Sooriyawewa on whatever dates finalised. If that occurs, Sooriyawewa will become the ninth venue to host the famed ‘Battle of the Blues’ encounter and the first outside the Western Province since its inception in 1879.
Previously the ‘Battle of the Blues’ has been played at Galle Face grounds, once at Gordon Gardens (presently where the President’s House is), Nomads grounds, CCC, Campbell Park, NCC, Colombo Oval before making SSC as the permanent venue since 1975.
The main reason behind the delay in finalising the dates, according to the source, are two examinations that may result in the match being moved from its usual timeline, the second weekend of March. The tentative dates have been proposed as a result, but upcoming G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination set for March and the London Advanced Level examination set for May and June will leave the organisers no other option that to hold the match during April.
Sources further reveal that the organising committee has already sought permission from the health and education authorities to hold the match, but under strict health protocols, most likely within a ‘bio bubble’ as most global sporting events are presently held.
The joint organising committee of the 142nd Battle of the Blues, however, is expected to make the final decision public soon after all matters are finalised.
The Royal-Thomian cricket encounter was the last big match to be held in the country before a nationwide lockdown was announced following the initial outbreak of COVID-19 during March 2020. Other cricket big matches to follow were called off and cricket is yet to resume since then at schools.
The Sunday Times also learns that three other big matches, besides the Royal-Thomian, are likely to move to Sooriyawewa. The organising committees of the Lovers’ Quarrel — the annual big match played between Richmond and Mahinda colleges in Galle — is one of the confirmed encounters to switch to Sooriyawewa.