Sports
Cricket’s greatest is 85 today
by Rex Clementine
Sir Don Bradman called him the ‘greatest cricketing being to have ever walked the earth,’ and in Sri Lanka, he is considered as someone who shaped the careers of many players. Sir Garry Sobers turns 85 today. He was hired by the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka in 1980s and his influence benefited a young cricket team to rub shoulders with formidable opponents of the game.
Sir Garry accompanied the team to a couple of tours to England, including the 1983 World Cup.
It is a well known secret that Sir Garry had handpicked Arjuna Ranatunga during the early days. But Arjuna lost his place in the side. When Sir Garry returned, one of the first things that he insisted on was having Arjuna back in the side.
During the 1983 World Cup, training at Headingley, Sri Lankan batsmen were struggling to put bat to ball as Ashantha de Mel was swinging the ball all over the place. Sir Garry couldn’t understand what the fuss was. He borrowed a glove from Sidath Wettimuny and a pad from Arjuna, drew out a stump and started hitting De Mel all over the park. He was 47 at that stage.
His reading of wickets was impeccable having spent many seasons at Trent Bridge as Nottingham’s overseas player.
There was this rain affected county game and the wicket was damp. When asked what Duleep Mendis intended to do, he was told that the captain wanted to field first. Sir Garry advised not to do so and to bat first. His reason. In the morning it may be tough to bat but there was no physical danger. Batting second would be impossible. Duleep followed the instructions. True to form De Mel hit a few batsmen.
Sir Garry was an expert in more than one subject. He knew his horses too and he would earn a thumping amount backing and betting on the right horse.
The team hotel the Sri Lankans were staying during the 1983 World Cup also accommodated a few other teams. Sir Garry was upset about the treatment his players were getting from the hotel staff while the big boys he felt were better looked after. He waited for the right opportunity.
One day, the Sri Lankan team had returned to the hotel after a function and the players were waiting at the lobby. The phone rang. It was for Sir Garry. The receptionist said, ‘Call for Mr. Sober.’ Sir Garry did not move. After some time, the receptionist looked at the coach and asked, ‘Are you Mr. Sobers? There is a call for you.’
Sir Garry then walked up to the receptionist and said, ‘Lady, I am not Mr. Sobers. I am Sir Garry Sobers. I didn’t ask for it. Your Queen gave it to me.’
Sanity prevailed. The Sri Lankans were well looked after from there on.
As Roy Dias recalled one day, going around with Sir Garry was like walking with the King. He commanded so much respect.
Ad multos annos.
Under 19 Cricket
Left-arm spinners Vishwa Peiris and Demion de Silva took five wickets each as St. Joseph’s cruised to an innings and 51 runs victory over St. Benedict’s in the Traditional Mack – Croner trophy cricket encounter at Darley Road on Tuesday.
St. Benedict’s came to the match having done well in the Tier B tournament matches but the spin might of the Joes was too hot for them to handle as they collapsed for 62 runs in the second innings.
The result somewhat exposed the gap between the Tier A and Tier B teams of the Under 19 Division I category as the team from Kotahena were bowled out within 25 overs. They were following on after being dismissed for 197 runs in the first innings, where Nushan Perera grabbed five wickets bowling the bulk of the overs for the Joes. He was adjudged the Best Bowler.
While Vishwa was the Man of the Match, Rishma Amarasinghe (Best Fielder) and Senuja Wakunugoda (Best Batsman) won the other individual awards.
The Joes made 313 in their innings with Senuja top scoring with 106 runs.
In the Division I Tier ‘A’ matches Gurukula (against St. Sebastian’s) and St. Anthony’s Katugastota (against Royal) registered first innings victories.
Maliyadeva took first innings points against De Mazenod in a tier B match.
(RF)
Organisers of the ICC T20 World Cup are sweating over after Pakistan refused to play nuclear-armed neighbours India in Colombo, a decision that has left administrators scratching their heads and staring at a potential financial googly.
The India–Pakistan contest, the jewel in the tournament’s crown, is the game that oils cricket’s economic engine. If the marquee clash is bowled out, the loss of revenue will have every stakeholder feeling the pinch from boardroom to boundary rope. Islamabad’s call to withdraw, taken at government level, has sparked fears the verdict will not be overturned.
Anticipation for the grudge match had reached fever pitch. Tickets vanished on day one of sales, while Colombo’s hotels were snapped up quickly. Five-star rooms that normally fetch 150 US dollars were hiked to 600 USD, some even soaring to 800 USD as the city braced for a carnival.
With the capital full to the rafters, tour operators shuttled visitors to nearby Negombo, an hour’s drive from the stadium, while others opted for apartments as accommodation ran dry. Flights, too, were booked well in advance, but uncertainty over the epic duel has now cast a long shadow.
“We haven’t had many cancellations yet, but we fear the worst. Everyone will take a hit if the game doesn’t take place,” aviation industry official Thusitha Perera told Telecom Asia Sport.
Gihan Wickramasinghe, representing Colombo’s hoteliers, echoed the concern. “Our hope is the match goes ahead. If not, we’ll have to refund bookings and the tour operators will be hit even harder.”
Tour operator Lisa Fernando said the anxiety was mounting. “Two groups from Dubai alone, 75 people, were coming. Corporate clients had planned trips down south as well. There’s a lot of money at stake and so much unnecessary stress.”
Indian fan Varun Kumar from Bangalore has already paid for flights and hotels but intends to travel regardless. “Sri Lanka has been on my bucket list. Whether the match happens or not, we’ll come to experience the country,” he said.
Sri Lanka Cricket remains optimistic the contest will be rescued before the final over is called. But if the showpiece is scratched, it would be a hammer blow to an economy only just finding its feet after years of setbacks, leaving the tournament badly caught behind.
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