Main sponsor of 50th big match - Nalin Wickramaarachahi

The 50th big match between St. Mary's College and Ananda Sastralaya of Matugama was held majestically ob 22 and 23 of March at Matugama Public Esplanade.

The grand event was hosted by St. Mary's College. The strength behind the meticulous organizing was the Past Pupils' association of the St. Mary's College.

One name that stands high above all the well-wishers is Mr. Nalin Wickramaarachchi who shouldered to all the burden mostly alone.

Thank you Nalin! You are the major pillar of success behind the 50th big match.

Past captains of St. Mary's College and Ananda Sastralaya

St. Mary's - Ananda Sastralaya 50th big match

Opening ceremony of the big match was held under the patronage of the Additional Director of Education, Matugama Zone Shirani Kalansuriya.

Majority of the past captains of both schools participated in the opening ceremony and the lunch given to them.

St. Mary's - Ananda Big Match - Scores of Day 1

St. Mary's won the toss and elected to field.
Ananda Sastralaya all out for 145 in 63.4 overs in 236 minutes
Lahiru Sankalpa  b. Udara Madusanka - 31
Kasun Chamara c. Thisaru Priyalalitha b. Kasun Sameera - 20
Nishan Jayamal c. Nipun Maddumage b. Kushan Chathuranga - 10
Madusanka Ekanayaka lbw b. Kushan Chathuranga - 10
Tharaka Maduwantha c. Niroshan Madusanka b. Thisaru Priyalalitha - 22
Nadeesh Malshan b. Udara Madusanka - 24
Damith Jayasinghe b. Thisaru Priyalalitha - 00
Manjuka Nadun c. Janith Madusanka b. Thisaru Priyalalitha - 00
Harshana Thushitha c. Kasun Sameera b. Thisaru Priyalalitha - 10
Umesh Kawshan b. Udara Madusanka - 08
Danushka Prasad n.o. - 00
Extras byes - 06,  keg byes - 04
Fall of Wickets: 1 - 54, 2 - 60, 3 - 70, 4 - 85, 5 - 109, 6 - 109, 7 - 115, 8 - 128, 9 - 145

Bowling (Overs - Maiden - Runs - Wickets)
Kushan Chathuranga 14 - 06 - 20 - 02
Kavishaka Chamod 04 - 00 - 13 - 00
Rajeendra Priyadarshana 02 - 00 - 05 - 00
Kasun Sameera 22 - 04 - 57 - 01
Thisaru Priyalalitha 12.4 - 04 - 22 - 04
Udara Madusanka 09 - 01 - 13 - 03

St. Mary's 81 for 04 at close of play 

Malan Mahesh c&b Tharaka Maduwantha - 16
Niroshan Madusanka c. L. Sankalpa b. Harshana Thusitha - 00
Kasun Sameera b. Damith Jayasinghe - 32
Thisaru Priyalalitha st. L. Sankalpa b. Umesh Kaushan - 18
Kavishka Chamod n.o. - 10
Rajeendra Priyadarshana n.o. - 00

50th battle of Pasdunkorale on March 22 and 23

The 50th 'Battle of Pasdun Korale' big match between St. Mary's College, Matugama and Ananda Sastralaya, Matugama will be held on March 22 and 23 at Matugama Public Esplanade.

This year the host St. Mary’s team is captained by Kasun Sameera de Alwis who has already taken 97 wickets in the season in his left arm off spin. The all rounder has also scored over 800 runs.

Another star performer is Thisaru Priyalalitha who has scored over 900 runs at present. Paceman Kushan Chathuranga is another trump the Marians have.

Ananda Sastralaya is captained by all-rounder Madusanka Ekanayaka and comprises of Tharaka Maduwantha who has scored more than 600 marks this year with a couple of centuries.

St. Mary’s has won the big match for 12 times while the two time victorian Ananda Sastralaya is yearning for a victory for 37 years now.

St. Mary's College Cricket Team - 2013

Seated from left: Thisaru Priyalalitha,Chandima Vithanage (Coach), Akila Maddumage (Vice Captain), Ajith Jayasinghe (Master-in-Charge), Jayasiti Gajaweera (Principal), Kasun Sameera (Captain), Saman Amugoda (Coach), Malan Disanayaka

Standing from left: Rashmika Sampath, Niroshan Madusanka, Dhanuka Heshan, Wasantha Ramesh, Kavishka Wickramasinghe, Nipun Maddumage, Kushan Chathuranga, Rajeendra Priyadarshana, Udara Madusanka,  Janith Madusanka Kumara 

Ananda Satralaya, Matugama Cricket team – 2013

Front row from left: Madusanka Ekanayaka (Captain), Ajith Maddumage (Coach), Rasika Piyananda (Master-in-Charge), K.K.D.P. Ranaweera (Principal), Gayan Palitha Disanayaka (Master-in-Charge), Lahiru Sankalpa Athukorala (Vice Captain)

Second row from left: Nishan Jayamal, Dhanushka Prashan, Nadeesh Malshan, Kalana Sankalpa, Mohamed Ashfath, Kasun Chamara, Shanusha Dilshan, Damith Jayasinghe, Tharaka Maduwantha, Harshana Thusitha Kumara

Third row from left:  Umesh Kaushan, Chamil Yasintha, Kavindu Shalika, Shakthi Wickramanayaka, Manjuka Nandun Kumara

Memories of the first organizer of St. Mary's - Ananda big match

Mr. Cyril Fernando who now lives in Australia was the first organizer of the big match between St. Mary's College and Ananda Sastralaya, Matugama. He was the Master-in-Charge of cricket of St. Mary's College then. Later he served as the Master-in-Charge of cricket of Ananda Sastralaya also. He recalls memories of the first ever big match played in 1963. 

A letter from Sri Lanka, with a polite request from the Principal of St Mary’s College, took me down memory lane, fifty years – half a century (in cricketing terms). I assumed duties as a teacher at St Mary’s in 1960 and at the request of Mr N Weerasinghe, the then principal, took over cricket as both the Master-In-Charge and the Coach. During those years St Mary’s played only two matches a year, with St Anthony’s College Panadura and the Central College Matugama. One of the issues that confronted me at cricket was the lack of equipment. Further, even the little equipment we had was in very poor shape. I knew if cricket was to flourish at St Mary's, proper equipment was required and funds needed to be spent. Mr Athukorale, the new principal was very supportive of the cause and approved funds straight away. Cricket equipment those days was sold at the school by a visiting van from Chands, the sports goods people.  The following statistics may not be exact, but if my memory serves me right, I bought equipment amounting to around Rs 500 and that was a princely sum at that time. I think an unseasoned bat was around Rs 65 and a practice ball was around Rs 5. I am sure today’s generation who reads this will marvel at those prices, but believe me, that was a lot of money those days.

 

After this exciting purchase, we were better equipped for cricket and then the seed for the next step was planted. 1963 was a significant year as the idea of a “Big Match” was introduced. It was the brain child of Mr. S Atukorala. Badly needed resources were replenished and the interest grew in leaps and bounds, which helped to pull us through the organising hardships of the “Big Event” between St Mary’s and the Ananda Sastralaya.  We already had a fan base with our past students. I myself was young and cricket mad and very generous with my time for the game. A lot of work needed to be accomplished to get the event up and running. The pitch needed to be fixed, finding suitable umpires and many more logistics for the smooth running of the event needed to be finalised. But we made it!!!

During that time, there wasn’t a common social event binding schools together for this vibrant town of Matugama. The Big Match managed to fill that void.  The whole society came alive and it was so infectious. That interest spread like wild fire. Of course we had some sceptics too. But nothing could deter the enthusiasm of so many, thus we had our first big match. Boys flocked to the ground. Every boy had a dream of becoming a cricketer. Enthusiasm for the daily cricket practices grew exponentially.  So I feel very proud and (humble too) for being instrumental and being part of that big idea which brought the whole society together.

As I stated before, memories of some of the players and their exploits have faded. However I still remember with gratitude the efforts of the principals, staff, students and well wishers who contributed mightily not for any financial gain, but purely to enrich the lives of the school kids.  I also would like to salute those who toil to continue this tradition knowing that it is in safe hands to continue to uphold the highest ideals of the game.

Lastly I hope that the 50^th Big Match would be keenly contested in real cricket spirit by both teams, displaying the finer points of all aspects of cricket.

Good Luck to all!!!

Cyril  Fernando

11, Speet Place

Orange NSW 2800, Australia

namal_fernando@goodyear.com

Bowling records of St. Mary's - Ananda big match

Bowling records (over 04 wickets in one inning)

St. Mary’s

1965 - M. Mahendaraja 16/07

1965 - M. Mahendraraja 26/04

1965 - M. Mahendaraja 44/04

1969 - N. Bastian 71/04

1969 - M. Mahendraraja 24/04

1973 - U. Siriwardhana 18/04

1974 - Wijaya Fernando 16/04

1977 - U. Siriwardhana 38/04

1980 - R. Jayasinghe 34/04

1982 - P. Dias 18/04

1983 - N. Vithana 28/04

1984 – N. Vithana 27/04

1985 – N. Vithana 41/04

1985 – K. Karunarathna 10/04

1987 – K. Mahakumara 35/04

1987 - W. Rodrigo 50/04

1990 – S. Mahathanthila 10/04

1990 – Chandima Vithana 26/05

1991 – W. Berty 37/07

1992 – Shirley Bastian 18/07

1993 - Shirley Bastian 24/08

1993 – Sujith Chandana 52/04

1994 – Shiran Pathirana 48/08

1995 - Shiran Pathirana 23/04

1995 – Nevile Liyanage 54/04

1995 – S. Silva 27/05

1996 – S. Silva 20/04

1997 – Gihan Kannangara 33/04

1997 – Moraj Pasqual 30/05

1998 – Rohan Chamara 51/08

1998 - R. Samarasinghe 61/05

1999 – Palitha Vithana 38/04

1999 – Palitha Vithana 38/05

1999 – Rasika Lasantha 59/04

2002 – S. Chandrabosh 64/06

2004 – Dilum Chathuranga 73/04

2006 – Mahesh Udayanga 30/05

2007 - Mahesh Udayanga 42/04

2008 – Sathishka Nushan 27/04

2009 - Sathishka Nushan 39/05

2010 – Chanuka Dushmantha 22/06

2012 - Kasun Samera 28/05

2012 - Kasun Samera 27/06

Ananda

1965 – L. Senarathna 34/04

1966 – A. Warnasiri 37/04

1972 - L.M. Nallaperuma 87/04

1973 – L.N. Nallaperuma 58/05

1974 – J. Vithana 03/04

1974 – T. Kumarasiri 16/07

1976 – M. Fernando 21/04

1977 – Hemantha Gamage 48/04

1982 – Upul Karunanayaka 93/06

1983 – Dulsiri Kariyawasam 12/04

1986 – Sujeewa Pasqual 50/04

1987 – Ushantha Jayalath 35/04

1991 – Chamil Jayaweera 46/04

1995 – Asanka Indika Kumara 64/05

1995 – Damith Kumara 59/04

1997 – Chathuranga Udugala 70/04

1999 – P. Gayan 21/04

2001 – Asanka Chandana 69/07

2002 – Chamila Karawita 40/04

2003 – Nuwan Sameera 59/05

2004 – Chanaka Ruvanthilaka 73/05

2006 – Dumindu Krishantha 42/07

2008 – Dumindu Krishantha 38/07

2011 – Ruchira Adikaram 35/05

2012 - T.R. Ambawatta 11/05

Batting records of St. Mary's - Ananda big match

St. Mary’s centuries

1969 Ahamad Ajirin – 129

1979 Sunil Abesiriwardhana - 110

1979 Gamini Karunarathna – 105

1980 Mangala Abesiriwardhana – 120

1990 Chandima Vithanage – 113

1992 Ramyanath Senevirathna – 105

1993 Hemantha Weerakoon – 135

2009 Thilina Pethum – 115 (n.o)

Ananda Sastralaya centuries

1979 Gamini Jayasinghe – 108 (n.o)

1980 Hemantha Gamage  - 135 (n.o)

1981 Hemantha Gamage  - 129 (n.o)

2003 Ashan Nilanga – 143 (n.o.)

2011 Rasindu Krishan – 117 (n.o)

St. Mary’s half centuries

1965 Ahamend Ajirin – 67

1972 Sarath Samaraweera - 51

1973 N. Gunawardhana 61

1974 A. Jayasinghe – 51

1977 Laurence Abesinghe – 52 

1979 Susil Maddumage – 56

1980 Susil Maddumage – 76

1981 Gamini Karunarathna – 63

1983 Gamini Wickramasinghe – 56

1984 Keerthi Karunanayaka – 59

1991 J. Weerasinghe - 77

1992 Chandima Vithanage – 64

1993 Malika Amarasinghe – 58

1994 Janaka Jayasundara – 50

1994 Neville Liyanage – 53

1995 Shiran Pathirana – 86

1995 Prasanna Punchihewa – 69

1996 R. Samarasinghe – 50

1997 Palitha G. Vithana - 58

1997 Dinesh Sanjaya – 54

1998 R. Samarasinghe – 50

2001 Rasika Wasntha – 50

2002 D.H. Welivita – 57

2002 Chameera Menaka – 55

2004 R. Lahiru – 61

2004 Chamika Thushanka – 50

2007 Kasun Suranga – 54

2007 I.R.I.P. Sanjeewa – 51

2007 Lahiru Ranawaka – 54

2009 Chanaka Kumabalathara – 71

2010 Nuwan Samera – 68

2012 Kasun Sameera – 90

Ananda half centuries

1965 G.D. Amaradasa – 95

1969 Sumedha Epitakaduwa – 71

1969 S. Jayathilaka – 50

1972 Alfred Martin – 55

1975 D.K. Siriwardhana – 52

1977 Hemantha Gamage – 63

1979 R. Jayalatharachchi – 86

1986 Chandana Hema Ranasinghe – 50

1987 P. Athapattu – 58

1988 P. Kannagara – 90

1988 S. Jayathunga – 51

1990 Ajith Kulathilaka – 50

1994 Chinthana Jayawardhana – 81

1995 A. Indika Kumara – 51

1995 Chandana Kannangara – 77

2001 Asanka Chandana – 71

2004 Lakshan Siriwardhana – 69

2004 Dumindu Krishantha – 51 (n.o.)

2004 Vijitha Surendra – 81

2007 Sharika Siriwardhana – 53

2009 Tharaka Lakshan – 51

2011 Pasindu Malwaththa – 50