Quick answer
Visiting Sri Lankan cricket schools and clubs is best arranged in advance through the school, a club official or a tour operator. The best-known cricket schools include Royal College and S Thomas' College in Colombo, Trinity College and St Anthony's in Kandy, and Richmond College and Mahinda College in Galle. Colombo's clubs, such as the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo Cricket Club and Tamil Union, play first-class cricket on weekends in the season, often free to watch.
Key takeaways
- Most Sri Lankan international cricketers came through the island's leading cricket schools.
- Royal College and S Thomas' College in Colombo play the Battle of the Blues, one of the oldest school matches in the world.
- Richmond College and Mahinda College in Galle have produced many national players.
- Colombo's clubs play first-class cricket in the domestic season, often free to watch.
- School grounds are working schools, so visits need permission.
Why the schools matter
Sri Lankan cricket is built on its schools. Since the 19th century, the leading colleges of Colombo, Kandy and Galle have played cricket against each other, and their coaching, rivalries and big matches have produced almost every international player. School cricket is taken very seriously, with professional coaches, large crowds and newspaper coverage.
For a fan, visiting a school ground, watching a school match or seeing a coaching session gives a sense of where the players Australia faces come from. It is also a quieter, more personal experience than an international.
Some school grounds have historic pavilions, honour boards and photographs of famous old boys.
- →Schools produce most national players.
- →Big matches draw huge crowds.
- →Historic pavilions and honour boards.
Colombo's cricket schools
Colombo's best-known cricket schools include Royal College and S Thomas' College, whose annual match, the Battle of the Blues, has been played since 1879 and is one of the oldest continuous school matches in the world. Nalanda College, Ananda College, St Joseph's, St Peter's and Wesley College also have strong cricket traditions.
The big matches are usually played early in the year, roughly February and March, with parades, bands and huge crowds. They rarely coincide with mid-year Australian tours, but can overlap early-year ones.
Lankan Stays & Trails can help arrange visits to school grounds and coaching sessions where schools agree, usually through old-boy networks or coaches.
- →Royal and S Thomas': the Battle of the Blues.
- →Nalanda, Ananda and others.
- →Big matches: roughly February and March.
Kandy and Galle's cricket schools
In Kandy, Trinity College, which owns the Asgiriya Stadium, and St Anthony's College, Katugastota, are the best-known cricket schools, and their annual big match is a highlight of the hill-country year. Kingswood and Dharmaraja colleges also have strong traditions.
In Galle, Richmond College and Mahinda College have produced many national players, and their annual big match is one of the south coast's major social events. Both schools are a short drive from Galle International Stadium.
- →Kandy: Trinity and St Anthony's.
- →Galle: Richmond and Mahinda.
- →Big matches: early in the year.
Colombo's club cricket
Colombo's clubs, including the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo Cricket Club, Nondescripts Cricket Club, Tamil Union and Colts, play first-class and limited-overs domestic cricket, mostly from about December to April. Matches are often free or cheap to watch, and international players sometimes appear.
Club grounds have a relaxed, old-fashioned atmosphere, with shady trees, pavilions and a few spectators. It is a good way to see cricket on a rest day between internationals.
- →SSC, CCC, NCC, Tamil Union, Colts.
- →Season: roughly December to April.
- →Often free to watch.
How to arrange a visit
Schools are working places, and visits need permission. Contact the school office, a coach or an old-boy association in advance, or ask a tour operator to arrange it. Visits are easier outside exam periods and on days when there is practice or a match.
Dress modestly, follow the school's rules, ask before photographing students and keep the visit short. A small gift to the cricket programme is appreciated.
- →Ask in advance.
- →Dress modestly.
- →Ask before photographing students.
Giving back
Many schools and clubs, especially outside Colombo, welcome donations of good-quality cricket gear: bats, balls, pads, gloves and helmets. Give them through a coach or the school, so they are shared and used well.
Some Australian clubs have formed links with Sri Lankan clubs or schools for coaching exchanges. If your club is interested, a visit on tour is a good start.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit cricket schools in Sri Lanka?
You can visit some cricket schools in Sri Lanka with permission, arranged in advance through the school office, a coach, an old-boy association or a tour operator. Visits are easier on practice or match days, outside exam periods. Dress modestly and ask before photographing students.
What is the Battle of the Blues?
The Battle of the Blues is the annual cricket match between Royal College and S Thomas' College in Colombo, played since 1879 and one of the oldest continuous school matches in the world. It is usually held around March, with parades, bands and huge crowds of former students.
Which school did Kumar Sangakkara go to?
Kumar Sangakkara went to Trinity College, Kandy, one of Sri Lanka's best-known cricket schools, which owns the Asgiriya Stadium. Many other national players came from Kandy's schools, including St Anthony's College, where Muttiah Muralitharan studied.
Can you watch club cricket in Colombo?
You can watch club cricket in Colombo, mostly from about December to April, at grounds such as the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo Cricket Club, Nondescripts, Tamil Union and Colts. Matches are often free or cheap to watch, with a relaxed atmosphere and sometimes international players.
How can you donate cricket gear to a Sri Lankan school?
Donate good-quality bats, balls, pads, gloves and helmets through a coach, the school office or a club, so the gear is shared and used well. Tour operators and hotels can help find schools that need equipment. Check airline luggage rules before packing gear.
Which Galle schools are known for cricket?
Richmond College and Mahinda College in Galle are the best-known cricket schools on the south coast, and have produced many national players. Their annual big match is a major social event. Both are a short drive from Galle International Stadium.
Are school big matches held during Australian tours?
School big matches are usually played early in the year, roughly February and March, so they can overlap early-year Australian tours, such as Test series in Galle. They rarely coincide with mid-year tours. Check dates with the schools, because they change each year.