Schools in Kandy are awaiting a shortened version of the 2021 cricket season which could most probably come in the form of one-day matches to culminate with the big matches.
It is being discussed that as few as five matches could be played.
Below is a breakdown of the schools in Kandy that have a rich heritage in the cricket arena which was disrupted last year due to the coronavirus.
Sri Rahula College: At one time it was well known for cricket and even today they are a major force thanks to the efforts of their school staff and old boys, who have turned them into a top side. Sri Rahula College is one of Kandy’s oldest cricket playing schools having first taken to it in the 1890s but gave it up a few years later and in the 1970s they came back into cricket.
St. Sylvester’s College: It is a school located in the middle of the Kandy city and the school continues to produce good sportsmen at cricket. In 1994 during the time of its principal the late Bertie Nillagoda, for the first time they won the All-Island League championship and in the knockouts lost to Ananda College in the semifinals.
They were that year coached by Roland Perera. Judging by their present strength the Sylvestrians should do well and they are well supported by the principal and the rest of the sporting staff.
Sri Sumangala College: Founded as St. Paul’s College, they also produced a 1000-run maker in Prasanga Tennakoon. They first played cricket in the early days and later gave up, only to return to the fray even with a home ground.
Vidyartha College: It is one of the leading schools in the hill capital and has a proud sporting history. Vidyartha has produced some top class cricketers and has emerged as one of the leading cricket playing schools. They have been playing cricket since 1952 and has reached great heights without a proper playing field.
They have a small ground for their practices at Nittawela and is situated along the Katugastota Road. Some of their products have done their alma mater proud by excelling at school, club and district level.
Kingswood College: It is one of the oldest schools playing cricket. At this school cricket takes pride of place and many cricketers have enjoyed the game. The year 1962 was one of their finest years in which they won several matches and beat Trinity College for the first time. In Kandy, the oldest big match is between Kingswood College and Dharmaraja College with the first match played in 1893.
Dharmaraja College: A school which has a history of more than 134 years and has produced well known cricketers who have done well and represented the country. Their big match against Kingwood College is the oldest big match in the hills and second oldest in Sri Lanka. The first match was played in 1893 with the Dharmaraja College.
St. Anthony’s College: At one time they were a major force in school cricket. They have not only produced several champion teams but also produced some of the finest cricketers who have made Sri Lanka proud with one of them being the world record holder in Test cricket Muttiah Muralidaran who captured 800 wickets and retired in 2012.
Trinity College: This is a school which is blessed with all facilities and produced top class talented cricketers as one of the oldest cricket playing schools in the country.
Before the Second World War, they not only produced several top class cricketers but also produced several invincible teams. Trinity is in good form at present thanks to the support of the principal, the sporting staff and the old boys. The facilities they have are indoor nets, bowling machine and an international stadium plus a top rugby ground.
The other schools in Kandy and surrounding areas playing cricket are Peradeniya MV, Nugawela Central College, Chandrananda Buddhist College, DS Senanayake College, St. Benedict’s College, Walala A. Ratnayake Central College, Medina Central College, Galagedera Central College, Al-Azhar College, Ranabima Royal College, Mahanama College, Lumbini Royal College, Berravettes College, Wattegama Central and Sarasavi Uyana MV.