Richmond–Mahinda Cricket Encounter

Richmond–Mahinda Cricket Encounter ( Lovers' Quarrel )
Sport	Cricket
Timeline	1905 – present
Tournament format	Annual two-day encounter
Participants	Richmond College Mahinda College
Current champion	Mahinda College (2008)[1]
Most successful	Mahinda College (23-21)[1]

The Richmond–Mahinda Cricket Encounter is an annual cricket big match played between the first XI cricket teams of Richmond College and Mahinda College in Galle, Sri Lanka. It is one of the longest cricket match series in Sri Lanka, having been played for 106 years.^[2] The match is also known as the "Lovers' Quarrel" in public and it is played at the Galle International Stadium. Lovers' Quarrel was begun in 1905, under principals Rev. James Horne Darrel of Richmond and Frank Lee Woodward of Mahinda.^[3]

Series summary

Out of the big matches played up to 2011, Mahinda College has won 23 matches while Richmond College has won 21 matches. Richmond College won the inaugural match in 1905 and Mahinda College's first victory was registered in 1908. Mahinda College’s last victory in a big match was recorded in 2008, while Richmond College's last win was recorded 42 years ago, in 1969.^[4] Having broken a 30 year deadlock of draws, Mahindians registered an emphatic 10 wicket win over Richmondites in the 2008 encounter.

In 1953, Mahindian Somasiri Ambawatte captured all ten Richmond’s wickets in an innings to claim the bowling record of the series and in the same match he scored a century to record the finest all round feat in the history of the big match.^[5] In 1972, Mahindians piled up the highest score by a team, when they totaled 359 with their top order batsman P. H. K. H. Ranasinghe scoring 162. It is the highest individual score by a batsman in the big match series.^[5]

Notable players

Following cricketers who took part in Richmond–Mahinda cricket encounter during their school days, later went on to represent the national cricket team of Sri Lanka.

Mahinda College Douglas Dias Jayasinha D. L. S. de Silva Athula Samarasekera Jayananda Warnaweera Upul Chandana Lasith Malinga

Richmond College Champaka Ramanayake Chamila Gamage Suranga Lakmal

See also

• Mahinda College
• Richmond College

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Richmond-Mahinda evenly matched for a draw
2. ^ Sri Lanka junior stars in focus at Lovers’ Quarrel
3. ^ Richmond, Mahinda clash in Centenary year
4. ^ Southern Sri Lanka awaits action at 106th Lover’s Quarrel
5. ^ ^{a b} Richmond looks to break Mahinda stranglehold