Battle of the Saints (cricket) explained

Battle of the Saints
Team1:St. Joseph's College, Colombo
Team2:St. Peter's College, Colombo
Firstmeeting:1933
Mostrecent:2024
Nextmeeting:2025
Trophy:Reverend Father Maurice Legoc Trophy
Most Wins:St. Joseph's College - 12

The Battle of the Saints is the annual cricket contest between St. Joseph's College and St Peter's College in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which typically takes place in March. Inaugurated in 1933 by the Rectors of both schools and has since become a highly anticipated event, attracting significant media coverage and enthusiastic supporters. Since 2016, which is the 82nd encounter, both teams compete for the Reverend Father Maurice Legoc Trophy, named after the tournament's founder.[1]
For the past 82 matches, St. Joseph's college have recorded 12 wins, while the Peterites have registered 10. The rest of the matches have ended up as a draw with no wins for either team. In 2008 St. Joseph's college won the match, which ended a 35-year drought, and in 2010 St. Peter's won the match after 32 years.[2]
In the series the highest score is recorded by St Joseph’s college, which is 382, made back in 1982, led by Ken Serpanchy, while St. Peter's college best being 345 for 9 in 1938 under Percy Perera.

The lowest score was recorded by St. Peter's College in 1972 when they were bowled out for just 36. St Joseph's College recorded their lowest score of 56 in 1938.

In the limited overs encounter Joes have bowled the Peterites thrice for less than 100 and the Peterites are yet to bowl the Josephians out for less than 100.

In the 42nd Annual 50 overs encounter Peterite batsman Hashan Wanasekera played a match-winning knock of 118 runs that set a record stand of 152 runs for any wicket for the Bambalapitiya school erasing the previous best partnership of 143 runs between Angelo Perera and Chathura Peiris in 2009. His partner was Lakshina Rodrigo who made 61.
[3]

The lowest total in the shorter format is also recorded by St. Peter's when they were bowled out for 58 runs in 2003 in response to St. Joseph's College score of 217, which incidentally is the highest winning margin.

In the longer version, Clive Inman of St. Peter's College holds the highest individual score which is 204 in 1954. Shenal Warnakula of St. Joseph's College holds the record as the most successful bowler in terms of wickets -taking 9 wickets for 41 in 1997.[4]

Notable persons who have played

Denotes player represented the National Team at Test Level
Denotes player captained the national team (Test, ODI and/or T20I) and represented the National Team at Test Level
^ Denotes notable player that hasn't played international matches

Josephians

Peterites

Match history

Year EncounterVenueCaptains1st INNINGS 2nd INNINGSResult
SJCSPCSJC SPCSJC SPC
19331stSPCRobert FernandoGeorge Jayaweera2255070SJC
19342ndSJCClaude WijesingheSherley de s Illesinghe38013939SJC
19353rdSPCClaude WijesingheSherley de s Illesinghe185240127/7Draw
19364thSJCMalcolm SpittelTybalt Herath28922263/3 dec.51/3Draw
19375thSPCFred PereraJ Ray de Silva253183236/8Draw
19386thSJCEdward MarkusPercy Perera56345/9 dec.227/4Draw
19397thSPCHector Perera Snr.Joe Misso129312159/5Draw
19408thSPCCzerny SerpanchyArchibald Weerasinghe16783184160SJC
19419thSPCHugh MullerArchibald Weerasinghe16814813862/2Draw
1942Fairlie DalpathadoEric SchokmanNot Played Due to War
1943Fairlie DalpathadoNo TeamNot Played Due to War
194410thVarsityMalcolm de CostaAnton Perera288115118SJC
194511thSSCMalcolm de CostaAnton Perera240165176/6 dec.102SJC
194612thSSCNeil WeerasingheDion Walles10925621256/3SPC
194713thSSCNeil WeerasingheDion Walles141317157SPC
194814thSSCJoe de MelMichael Chanmugam18013488127SJC
194915thSSCTommy RodrigoDarrel Weinman11291161/6179SJC
195016thSSCBilly BalthazarM S M Ghouse110167194/7165Draw
195117thSSCJoe PereraHerbert I K Fernando359170174/5Draw
195218thNCCKen SurpanchyHerbert I K Fernando3829670SJC
195319thOvalRienzy PereraHarold Wittachchy 1801582/0172Draw
195420thOvalChrisantha FernandoClive Inman152308175/5Draw
195521stOvalMahinda de SilvaClive Inman11722415046/2SPC
195622ndOvalKeerthi CalderaKen Dackworth123163/5 dec.91/547/8 dec.SJC
195723rdOvalKeerthi CalderaJayantha Fernando298192246Draw
195824thOvalCarlyle PereraRussell Duckworth246/9 dec.314/5 dec.40/190/5Draw
195925thOvalClaude PereraBrian Seneviratne157161111/7 dec.41/4Draw
196026thOvalPriya PereraPremesiri Athukorala227/9 dec.249/7 dec.161/3 dec.30/2Draw
196127thSPCRaja de SilvaAdiel Anghie109230/9 dec.140/8Draw
196228thNCCHilary MercillineRichard Heyn8255139/9168/9 dec.Draw
196329thSPCBrian PerumalTyronne Le Mercier 106161118/7152/4 dec.Draw
196430thOvalBerchman de AlwisDavid Heyn1088390/6146/9 dec.Draw
196531stSPCChristopher MoreiraTravice Fernando13020116494/4SPC
196632ndOvalAllan de CostaDarrel Wimalarathne195/8 dec.21568/6125/4 dec.Draw
1967***33rdOvalAnil PeirisTony Opatha14281102163/8SPC
196834thOvalLalith de S WijayarathneRodney Patternott100/4119/9 dec.Draw
196935thOvalBrian ObeyesekereDenham Juriansz201187/7 dec.146/5 dec.104/5Draw
197036thOvalHector Perera Jnr.Rory Inman252/7 dec.10518/0164SJC
197137thOvalManik de s Wijeyaratne*
Wendell Kelaart**
Roy Dias22312188/6235/8 dec.Draw
197238thOvalRohan FernandoRoy Dias235/7 dec.11236SJC
197339thOvalGary MelderGamini Goonasena100200/6 dec.16163/4SPC
197440thOvalGary MelderRuwan Jayaweera271/716923/1151Draw
197541stOvalDushan SozaBernard Wijetunga Jnr. 228/8 dec.128205/7 Draw
197642ndOvalDushan SozaRanjan Perera108151164/8 dec.122/7Draw
197743rdOvalTrevor CronerCharinde Perera198/7 dec.179/6 dec.110/8Draw
197844thOvalShamilal de S WijeyaratneSuraj Abeysekara217/9 dec.161127/6 dec.187/4SPC
197945thOvalLakshman AloysiusKitto Fernandopulle288/6 dec.207/8 dec.209/2Draw
198046thOvalRohan Wijesinghe Jnr.Rohan Buultjens213/5 dec.267/6 dec.133/4156/6 dec.Draw
198147thOvalNirmala PereraMichael Elias297/5 dec.160138/6 dec.Draw
198248thOvalAshley de SilvaNiranjan Rodrigo181/6 dec.153/9 dec.53/2180/7 dec.Draw
198349thOvalHiran CabraalShane Brohier*
Rumesh Ratnayake**
113203/6 dec.185/5112/6 dec.Draw
198450thOvalJeevaka ChandappaSenerath Seneviratne1063 dec.185/8 dec.13/067/7 dec.Draw
198551stOvalJonathan AllesHeshan de Silva179/6 dec.199/7 dec.129/6 dec.Draw
198652ndOvalRohitha TillakeratneRanmore Martinesz190/7 dec.133/6 dec.153/5 dec.181/7Draw
198753rdKhettaramaRohan WeerakkodyDilhan Perera190/4 dec.148/8 dec.141Draw
198854thKhettaramaAsoka JayamanneDilhan Perera261/6 dec.179/7 dec.107/8 dec.44/5Draw
198955thKhettaramaPrasann LeanageRoshan Anthony211/7 dec.188/5 dec.159/9 dec.47/3Draw
199056thKhettaramaOril de MelIndunil Anthony154158/7 dec.9064/6Draw
199157thKhettaramaViran PereraHemal Wimalasekera227/8 dec.143/8 dec.79/9 dec.95/4Draw
199258thKhettaramaSudantha FernandoAsanga Perera136/7 dec.159/6 dec.98/4137/7 dec.Draw
199359thKhettaramaPraveen FernandoRussell Arnold220/4 dec.147/5 dec.105/4 dec.127/5Draw
199460thKhettaramaPeter HamerFaizal Mohammed157/6 dec.181/6 dec.92/4 159/4 dec.Draw
199561stOvalAsela PathiranaDamien Perera172104/9 dec.139/4 dec.87/2Draw
199662ndOvalShalinka de SilvaManura Neomal168/9 dec.182/7 dec.78/5131/9 dec.Draw
199763rdOvalTrevin MathewsRamendra Nonis198199106/8122Draw
199864thOvalMonto PereraMalinda Warnapura303/8 dec.273/6 dec.151/6 dec.62/4Draw
199965thOvalRoshan de SilvaDilshan Rupasinghe*
Jerome Fernando**
252/5 dec.13025/1228/9 dec.Draw
2000****66thOvalIan DanielsChrisantha Peiris128/4248Draw
200167thOvalAnuk de S Wijeyaratne*
Danuk Pathirana**
Malin Silva*
Mahesh Perera
235/8 dec.287/5 dec.2038 dec.80/1Draw
200268thOvalTivanka de S WijeyaratneJehan Jayasuriya139200221/9162Draw
200369thOvalDeshan BastianpillaiNadhula de S Wijeyaratne178255/7 dec.162/4176/4 dec.Draw
200470thOvalRanesh PereraDinesh Panditharantne*
Gihan de Silva**
224/8199158/7200Draw
200571stOvalHashan GunatillekePrajeev Jansz126220303/7 dec.129/1Draw
200672ndOvalAngelo MathewsHans Fernando218201/6 dec.14786/6Draw
200773rdOvalRajeewa WeerasingheLahiru Peiris335/5 dec.193279/3Draw
200874thOvalRuwantha FernandopulleAnuk Silva25513776SJC
200975thOvalS.M WeerasingheAngelo Perera188/5 (49 overs)235 (55.5 overs) 113/5 (32.4 overs)215/9 (55.4 overs)Draw
201076thOvalDinal DhambarageChathura Peiris158 (50.1 overs)293 (56.3 overs)164 (48.5 overs)33/0 (8.5 overs)SPC
201177thOvalRosco ThatilDenham Perera293 (56.3 overs)189 (45 overs)260/1 (54.1 overs)Draw
201278thOvalVidusha JayasingheShehan Fernando141 (42.2 overs)192 (52.4 overs)165 (62.4 overs) 117/4 (24.2 overs)SPC
201379thOvalSachien HewawasamDushan Hemantha281/8 dec. (60 overs)238/9 dec. (60 overs)140/5 (24 overs) 253/7 dec.Draw
201480thOvalDylan FernandopulleKavinda De Tissera251/8 dec. (53 overs)282 (59.5 overs)181/9 dec. (68.2 overs)Draw
201581stOvalPathum MadusankaChandula Jayamanna167 (59.5 overs)268 (56.4 overs)293/8 dec. (81.2 overs)110/7 (26 overs)Draw
201682ndOvalSandaruwan RodrigoVinu Mohotty106 (32.3 overs)304/9 dec. (60 overs)263 (107.5 overs)59/4 (9.2 overs/ Target 66 in 12 overs)SPC[5]
201783rdOvalHarin CoorayLakshina Rodrigo205 (57.2 overs)188/8 dec.(60 overs)163/8 dec.(77 overs)99/0 (15 overs)Draw
201884thOvalJehan DanielSanthush Gunathilake195 (53.2 overs)244 (60 overs)237/8 dec.(83 overs)57/1 (9.2 overs)Draw[6]
201985thOvalAshen DanielRanmith Jayasena286/8 dec. (60 overs)219 (60 overs)317/6 dec. (79 overs)Draw[7]
202086thOvalJohanne De ZilvaShannon Fernando259 (51.3 overs)224 (60 overs)288/8 dec. (87.4 overs)Draw[8]
202187thSSCSheran FonsekaNipunaka Fonseka261/7 dec. (60 overs)138 (56.3 overs)82/2 (22 overs)Draw[9]
202288thOvalShevon DanielWanuja Sahan163 (45.1 overs)251/8 dec. (60 overs)163/5 (58 overs)232/7 dec. (59.5 overs)Draw[10]
202389thSSCSadeesh JayawardanaNimuthu Gunawardana240/2 (54.5 overs)214/10 (57.3 overs)Draw[11]
202490thSSCLahiru AmarasekaraVishen Halambage228/5 dec. (49 overs)270/9 dec. (60 overs)75/1 (13 overs)204/9 dec. (63 overs)Draw[12]
1933–2024SJC 12 - SPC 10 (68 Draws)[13]

Limited Over history

Year EncounterVenueCaptainsScores Result
SJCSPCSJC SPC
19751stSJCDushan SozaBernard Wijetunga118 (40.3 overs)120/5 (42.5 overs)SPC
19762ndSPCDushan SozaRanjan Perera151 (47.2 overs)126 (50 overs)SJC
19773rdSJCTrevor CronerCharinda Perera193/8 (50 overs)120 (41.3 overs)SJC
19784thOvalShamilal de S Wijeyaratne Suraj Abeysekara149 (43.2 overs)150/8 (45.5 overs)SPC
19795thOvalLakshman AloysiusKitto Fernandopulle192/9 (50 overs)158 (44 overs)SJC
19806thOvalRohan WijesingheRohan Buultjens198 (48.3 overs)71/6 (21 overs)SJC
19817thOvalNirmalal PereraMichael Elias125 (39.5 overs)158 (48.2 overs)SPC
19828thOvalAshley de SilvaNiranjan Rodrigo216/8 (50 overs)130 (36.5 overs)SJC
19839thOvalHiran CabraalShane Brohier203/8 (50 overs)125 (35.3 overs)SJC
198410thOvalJeevaka ChandappaSenerath Seneviratne147/6 (41.5 overs)146 (41.4 overs)SJC
198511thOvalJohathan AllesHeshan de Silva84/8 (41 overs)83 (32 overs)SJC
198612thCCCRohitha Thilakaratne Ranmore Martinesz161 (47.5 overs)163/5 (43.3 overs)SPC
198713thKhettaramaRohan WeerakkodyDilhan Perera177/6 (45 overs)103 (38 overs)SJC
198814thOvalAsoka JayamanneDilhan Perera181 (47.4 overs)127 (47.4 overs)SJC
198915thOvalPrasann LeanageRoshan Anthony138/8 (47 overs)135 (48.3 overs)SJC
199016thOvalOrille de MelIndunil Anthony155 (48 overs)122 (41.2 overs)SJC
199117thSSCViran PereraHemal Wimalasekera101 (39 overs)157/9 (45 overs)SPC
199218thSSCSudantha FernandoAsanaga Perera175 (48 overs)176/5 (45.2 overs)SPC
199319thSSCPraveen FernandoRussel Arnold108 (40 overs)111/5 (35.5 overs)SPC
199420thOvalPeter HarmerFazal Mohammed181 (49.4 overs)214/8 (50 overs)SPC
199521stSSCAsela PathiranaDamian Perera157 (48.4 overs)158/2 (39.2 overs)SPC
199622ndOvalShalika de MelManura Neomal91/3 (18.3 overs)90 (29.2 overs)SJC
199723rdOvalTrevine MathewsRamendra Nonis193/3 (39.4 overs)191/9 (50 overs)SJC
199824thOvalMonto PereraMalinda Warnapura249/9 (50 overs)250/3 (44.1 overs)SPC
199925thOvalRoshan de SilvaJerome Fernando271/6 (50 overs)232 (47.3 overs)SJC
200026thOvalIan DanielChrisantha Peiris143 (47.3 overs)208/9 (50 overs)SPC
200127thOvalAnuk de S WijeyaratneMalin Silva205/8 (50 overs)205 (49.4 overs)Tied
200228thOvalJoel SabreenJehan Jayasuriya122 (38.1 overs)123/4 (28.5 overs)SPC
200329thOvalDeshan BastianpillaiNadhula de S Wijeyarathne217/7 (50 overs)58 (23.2 overs)SJC
200430thR Premadasa StadiumRanesh PereraGihan de Silva258/6 (50 overs)233 (49.3 overs)SJC
200531stR Premadasa StadiumHashan GoonatillekePrajeev Jansz185 (41 overs)257 (48.1 overs)SPC
200632ndR Premadasa StadiumAngelo MathewsHans Fernando113 (33.4 overs)153 (43.3 overs)SPC
200733rdR Premadasa StadiumRajeewa WeerasingheLahiru Peiris203/7 (45 overs)201 (47.4 overs)SJC
200834thR Premadasa StadiumRuwantha FernandopulleAnuk Silva24/1 (6 overs) 218/7 (50 overs)No Decision
200935thR Premadasa StadiumSameera WeerasingheAngelo Perera215/9 (50 overs)333/7 (50 overs)SPC
201036thOvalDinal DambarageChathura Peiris202 (46.4 overs)203/5 (44.1 overs)SPC
201137thOvalRosco ThatilDenham Perera230/9 (50 overs)157 (40 overs)SJC
201238thR Premadasa StadiumVidusha JayasingheShehan Fernando142 (42 overs)143/4SPC
201339thR Premadasa Stadium Sachin HewawasamDushan Hemantha194 (50 overs)163 (45.2 overs)SJC
201440thR Premadasa Stadium Dylan FernandopulleKavinda De Tissera224/8 (50 overs)133 (41.4 overs)SJC
201541stR Premadasa Stadium Pathum MadusankaChandula Jayamanna99 (23 overs/ Target 159 in 29 overs)166/7 (38.4 overs)SPC
201642ndR Premadasa Stadium Kevin CortelingVinu Mohotty258/6 (50 overs)259/2 (39.1 overs)SPC
201743rdSSC Harin CoorayLakshina Rodrigo258 (49.4 overs)311/8 (50 overs)SPC
201844thSSC Jehan DanielSanthush Gunathilake259 (49.2 overs)172 (38.4 overs)SJC
201945thSSC Ashen DanielRanmith Jayasena250 (49.3 overs)175/5 (41 overs /Target 185(D/L))SJC
202046thJohanne De ZilvaShannon FernandoNot Played due to Covid-19 Pandemic.
202147thSSC Sheran FonsekaNipunaka Fonseka200 (49.1 overs)115 (35.2 overs)SJC[14]
202248thSSC Shevon DanielWanuja Sahan219/9(50 overs)245/8 (50 overs)SPC[15]
202349thSSC Sadeesh JayawardanaNimuthu Gunawardana156/10 (41.5 overs)158/5 (40.2 overs)SJC[16]
202450thSSCLahiru AmarasekaraVishen Helambage229/10 (48.5 overs)230/7 (45.4 overs)SPC[17]
1975–2024SJC 25 - SPC 22[18]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Saints battle for the 75th time at the Oval . Shamil Amit . M. . 6 March 2009 . Sri Lankan Daily Mirror . 2009-06-12 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090307091411/http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=42499 . 7 March 2009 .
  2. News: Battle of the Saints Cricket Carnival – 2008 . 10 August 2008. Sri Lankan Sunday Times. 2009-06-12.
  3. Web site: Archived copy . 13 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160313115011/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2016/03/13/spo02.asp . 13 March 2016 . live .
  4. Web site: Petes look for repeat while Joes are out for revenge. St. Peter's College Old Boys Union.
  5. Win was awarded to St. Peter's by Rev.fr.Travis Gabriel(Rector of SJC) due to unruly behavior of spectators.
  6. Web site: Jayakody, Wellalage rescue Joes; Petes takes major honours. 3 March 2018. 3 March 2018.
  7. Web site: 85th Battle of the Saints. 2 March 2019.
  8. Web site: 86th Battle of the Saints. 7 March 2020.
  9. Web site: 87th Battle of the Saints. 14 December 2021.
  10. Web site: REPLAY – St. Joseph’s College vs St. Peter’s College – 88th Battle of the Saints. 19 July 2022.
  11. Web site: Gagan Chamod 5-fer puts St. Joseph’s on driving seat. 4 May 2023.
  12. Web site: Dilana Damsara’s Century carried the Peterites innings on Day 01. 23 March 2024.
  13. Web site: joe-pete stats . 3 March 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131108060609/http://stpetersobu.com/pdf/cricket/Joe-Pete%20Stats.pdf . 8 November 2013.
  14. Web site: Victorious St. Joseph's retain Joe-Pete limited-overs shield. 16 December 2021.
  15. Web site: ST. PETER'S COLLEGE WON BY 26 RUNS. 16 January 2023.
  16. Web site: ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE WON BY 5 WICKETS. 4 May 2023.
  17. Web site: SurfEdge . St. Joseph's College vs St. Peter's College – 50th One Day Encounter - ThePapare Stats . 2024-04-08 . stats.thepapare.com . en.
  18. Web site: joe-pete 50 over stats . 3 March 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140315173238/http://stpetersobu.com/pdf/cricket/Joe-Pete50OverStats.pdf . 15 March 2014.