Prince of Wales–St. Sebastian's Cricket Encounter

The encounter is considered to be one of the oldest big matches in Sri Lanka as it dates back to 1933. The first match in the sequence was played in 1933 under captain, Eugine Silva of St. Sebastian's College and Duncan Fernando of Prince of Wales College.^[3] The inaugural match however ended in a low scoring draw. In 1935 the Cambrians^[a] made history by recording the first win of the series with Ernie F. de Mel leading the side. De Mel's side registered a thrilling 4-wicket win against their rivals led by Earl Wijesinghe. The Cambrians led by KM Jayasekara went on to register back-to-back wins in the following two years by a thrilling 43-runs in 1936 and a comfortable innings and 87 runs in 1937. On both occasions, K.A.S Perera captained St. Sebastian's. There was a break in the series from 1938 to 1953.

The series resumed in 1954 with the match ending in a high-scoring draw. In 1955 Raymond de Silva's Sebastianites^[b] lost to the Cambrians for the fourth time by 9 wickets. Prince of Wales' was led by Stanley de Alwis. Draws followed for the next three years and Prince of Wales' expanded their winning tally to 5–nil in 1959 with an emphatic innings and 56-run win. Suranjith Mendis led the winning side while his counterpart was Sirimal Fernando. The encounter continued in stalemates for two years and in 1962 St. Sebastian's got their first-ever victory under Priyantha Fernando. They beat the Cambrians led by Hyasti Aponso by 5 wickets. After three consecutive draws, St. Sebastian's recorded their second win under Sarath Perera. Perera's side beat the Cambrians captained by Leslie de Silva by massive innings and 152 runs. Deadlocks followed for a decade until the Cambrians led by Pemlal Fernando recorded an 8-wicket win in a low-scoring encounter against Walter Fernando's Sebastianites.^[4]

Since the start, the Cambrians have six wins while the Sebastianites have won four times in the series with the rest ending in draws. St Sebastian's had their last victory in 2024 under the guidance of Captain Manuja Chanthuka.^[5][6] Prince of Wales's has not won a match since 1977.^[7]

Among the outstanding performances in the encounter Nilantha Bopage from Prince of Wales holds the record for the highest run scorer in a match with 179 not out in 1991. For the Sebastian's Nalin Peiris was the highest scorer with two centuries in years 1957 and 1958. Among the leading wicket takers, the record for the most number of wickets in the series is held by Roger Wijesuriya taking 22 wickets for St. Sebastians from 1975 to 1979.^[8]

Limited Over match started in 1981. It wasn't played between 1983 and 1987. Twenty20 match was started in 2023 and the inaugural match was played at R. Premadasa Stadium. Twenty20 match is played for Rev. Fr. Bonnie Fernandopulle & M.E.C. Fernando Memorial Challenge Trophy.

Highest Aggregate of Runs in the Big Match Series is by Sahan Wijeratne. Sahan Wijeratne representing Cambrians from 2000 to 2003 scored 441 runs including two centuries and two half-centuries with his series aggregate of 73.5. He is the first centurion of the Limited Over Match with a score of 116 runs in 2003.^[9]

During their rich history of nearly 100 years of cricket both schools have produced prominent cricketers to the national stream. Beginning from Anton Sethupathy, Duleep Mendis,^[10] Prasanna Jayawardene, Amal Silva, Somachandra de Silva, Dr. O.L.F. Senaratne, H.I. Femando, Nisal Senaratne, Stanley de Alwis, Lasantha Rodrigo, Anura Polonowita, D.S. de Silva, Sarath Fernando, Lantra Fernando, Granville de Silva, Chaminda Mendis, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Amila Aponso,^[11] Shehan Jayasuriya,^[12] Oshada Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Praveen Jayawickrama to Lahiru Thirimanne^[13] and Kusal Mendis.^[14][4][9]

The "Battle of the Golds" is filled with pageantry. With decorated tents, flags and baila singing and dancing groups present all around the Moratuwa city and the ground itself during the match days and in the days leading up to it. The 2-day match is held on Friday and Saturday, The 1-day limited over match is held on Sunday. By tradition, the schools are closed on match days to allow students to attend the Big Match. Souvenirs published by the both schools. Before the match, the students of each school take a motorcade (well known as "The Truck Parade") with bands and decorations and other colorful items showing support for their team. Overloaded cars with supporters singing and careering along the streets is a familiar sight during match days.

The match is looked forward to by both the young and old, male and female, and even those who had no connection with either school would turn up and enjoy the celebrations. It is more of an occasion for the old boys and present students of both schools coming together for 3 days of fun and revelry. It is quite normal to see elderly alumni from either schools coming to the "Big Match" to relive old times and meet old friends.

2-Day Matches

Results of the 2-day matches

• Matches Played – 74
• Matches Drawn – 63
• Matches Won by Prince of Wales' College – 06
• Matches Won by St. Sebastian's College – 04
• Matches with no-result – 01

Records

Result Table

1-Day Limited Over Matches

Results of the 1-day limited over matches

• Matches Played – 39
• Matches Won by St. Sebastian's College – 20
• Matches Won by Prince of Wales' College – 15
• Matches with No Decision – 02
• Matches Tied – 01
• Matches with no-result – 01

Records

Result Table

T20 Matches

Results of the T20 matches

• Matches Played – 02
• Matches Won by St. Sebastian's College – 02
• Matches Won by Prince of Wales' College – 00

Result Table

Prince of Wales' College Team

Batting and bowling records by Prince of Wales' College team's players in 2-day matches.

St. Sebastian's College Team

Batting and bowling records by St. Sebastian's College team's players in 2-day matches.

Best Partnership Records in 1-Day Limited Over Matches

Prince of Wales' College

List of Prince of Wales' College cricket coaches from 1876 to date^[9]

• J.C. Mckeyzer
• Claude Orr
• A. Vandergert
• E. Weerasooriya
• C.V. Samarasinghe
• C. Manakularathne
• N.D.De.S. Wijesekara
• Condrad Rodrigo
• Nisal Senarathne
• H.I. Fernando
• P.H.S. Mendis
• Harward Fernando
• Vernon Perera
• R.T.N. Fernando
• Sunil de Silva
• Chitral Mendis
• Bandula De Silva
• Jayantha Perera
• Lantra Fernando^[38]
• Kushan Jayawikrama^[59]
• Kelum Fernando^[55][56][60]

St. Sebastian's College

• Sanjeewa Silva^[38]
• Neil Rajapakse^[4]
• Heshan de Mel^[7]
• Imal Botheju^[61]
• Nalin Wijesinghe^[59]
• Bradman Ediriweera^[55][56][60]

Brothers In The Series

Prince of Wales' College

Brothers who played for the Prince of Wales' College team between 1933 and 2023^[9][62]

Fathers & Sons In The Series

Prince of Wales' College

Fathers & Sons who played for the Prince of Wales' College team between 1933 and 2006^[9]

• De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa (formerly known as Tyronne Fernando Stadium)
• Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo
• R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
• P. Sara Oval Stadium, Borella, Colombo^[55][63]

• Multimedia coverage (Limited Overs Encounter: Full match)
• Multimedia coverage: Live updates
• St. Sebastian's College website
• Prince of Wales' College website
• 66th Battle of the Golds – Official Theme Song