The 'Platinum Years of Peterite Cricket', 1978-1980
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14 Thursday 5th March, 2009 eams have been written that most brilliant of players, backed by hard facts clearly indi- my primary contribution was Lanka was on the threshold of Musafer, Rohan Jurangpathy, about the “Golden Years” Viv Richards who usually dis- cates the travesty of justice that supporting partnerships and yes test cricket. Gearing up for Gehan Sonnadara, Sumithra Rof Peterite and Josephian dained a helmet, to don one. kept him out of the Sri Lanka I have another good one - 179 “Tests” more “.professional”’ Warnakulasuriya of Royal, Guy cricket. Countless arguments for Rumesh’s ability to make a ball Test team. Though primarily a against Royal in 1978 with Kitto batting, combined with good De Alwis, Saliya Ahangama, and against one particular climb very steeply and follow up batsman, Rohan who also cap- who scored 104, run out - the quality wickets and more evenly Ken De Alwis, Mahinda “greatest” era or a specific team with a toe crunching yorker tained in 1980, picked up several only way they could get him. On matched teams meant outright Halangoda, Stefan Anthoniz of have been made and are still brought him over 100 wickets in crucial wickets, specialising in the other hand I did make a few wins in two days were rare. In St. Thomas’, Ravi Ratnayake of being made whenever Peterites a school season with more than breaking partnerships. small contributions with 3 cen- fact, the Royal/Thomian 03 day Trinity, Roger Wijesuriya of St. or Josephians meet. 50% being bowled. Match bags of Kitto Fernandopulle, the mas- turies (a top score of 148 vs St. fixture had just started and Sebastians, Nishantha, For many years we were very over 10 wickets were common ter strategist was easily one of Anthony’s in 1980) and a few batsman like Sumithra Dammika, Sanjeeva and Arjuna fortunate to have had the contri- and taking over four wickets per the best cricketing brains - fifties - though my highest scores Warnekulasuriya of Royal bat- Ranatunga (Captain of Sri butions of two very special peo- inning in almost every match, he proved by the umpires’ panel at Big Matches were 39 and 31. ted two full days for a 100 runs. Lanka), Roshan Mahanama ple - the legendary cricketer, was terrifying. I had to rein him awarding him the Best Captains The two most experienced Yet, between ‘78 and ‘80 St. (Test record partnership and teacher, coach and commentator in on several occasions to pre- Trophy in 1979. His half century cricketers of the 1978 side were Peters had fourteen outright International Match referee), the late C. E. Maurice Pererea of vent serious injury. There were against the Aussies had com- Suraj Abaysekera the skipper, a wins including St. Josephs, Sanath Kaluperuma, Asanka St. Peters (1944 - 1946) and the no helmets those days. Always mentators raving about “late wiley off spinner who subse- Royal, St. Thomas, Trinity, St. Gurusinghe, Charith late T. Harold De Andrado statis- good natured and concerned, he cuts like Sathasivam.” Kitto is quently played for the BRC. Anthony’s, St. Benedicts, Senanayake, Brendon Kuruppu titian extraordinary of St. would very rarely bounce at any- today the Second XI coach of St. Suraj played as the main spinner Thurstan, Isipathana and (Test Double Centurion and Joseph’s, who did not play a “Big one during school matches, but Peters and is doing a great job at for Sri Lanka “A” and was called Dharmapala. Some of them present Manager of the Sri Match” but was a reserve in 1944 Lanka team), Hemantha and 1946. Together, they provid- Devapriya and Kamal ed a great depth of articles for Dharmasiri among otherss. several cricket souvenirs of the Many of these have played past and their commitment, for our country in Test or One knowledge and lucidity have Day Internationals or been on been the backbone of trial for Sri Lanka or Sri Lanka Peterite/Josephian cricket liter- school teams. I may have left out ature. Each of them had their The ‘Platinum a few top players and to them - preferences and I who had the my sincere apologies. privilege of knowing both, have Other members of the had many amicable discussions, “Platinum Years” teams were mostly sober but some I must left arm spinners Janaka admit coloured with a few spir- Abeygunaratne (77-80) and its, on the merits of their views Roshitha Perera (80-82) who while putting forward those of Years of Peterite took 31 wickets at 14.7 in 1980, mine and those of a few col- Wicketkeeper/ Opener Arjuna leagues like Kitto Fonseka (1978) who had four Fernandopulle, captain of the half centuries, batsman Bakir 1979 side who can become a bit Mohamedally (78-79), vociferous in his lament that Chrishanthus Peiris (1979), nothing has ever been written Cricket’, 1978-1980 Sugath Perera (78-80), about the glorious years we trod Christopher Perera (80-81), the turf. I suppose Perera and De Suren Perera (1979), Rohan Andrado put up with the young Paulas (1980-82) who scored 55 upstart who argued with them on many occasions while field- developing cricketers having up several times for Sri Lanka after a lapse of many years like against Royal in 1980 and scored only because I had acceptable ing at first slip, I would dive to already fed the First XI team trials but could not make it to St. Thomas’ which was an 8 heavily in later years including credentials - having been 12th catch a bail he had sent flying or with three players this season. the final Test 15. Incidentally wicket victory in a match where a century in 1982, Dane Joseph man in 1977, played the entire on two occasions even caught a Amal Silva, my opening part- Suraj who was second highest 2 1/2hrs of play was lost due to (1980-82) who also scored a cen- seasons of 1978-1980 and cap- cart wheeling stump. One of the ner for two of these years was wicket taker in 1978 fittingly rain. In the great Big Match vic- tury in 1982 and seamers Ernest tained in 1981. few to play for his country as a the rock on which we built many scored the winning runs of the tory, two very sporting declara- Fernando (1977 and 1980), So this is a tribute to the bril- fast bowler while still at school, of our totals. Over 700 runs in historic Big Match victory. tions threw the match open - we Sarath Perera (1980) and Abdul liant Peterite teams of 1978-1980, but his versatility may have his first year (1979) and reaching The other was Walter declared 56 runs behind St. Razak (1980). the Platinum Years and I hope been forgotten as he was also a the 1000 in the big match of 1980 Fernando a superb all-rounder Josephs and the Joes closed The teams were coached by the facts presented will find the deadly right arm leg spinner with the second highest score of with a classic action and unbe- with very little hope of win- Brig Dr. H. I. K. Fernando (1978 approval of the two great men, who took three wickets in a big 144 not out made him an obvious lievable accuracy who bowled ning. We chased 187 runs and and 1979) and Tony Opatha who no doubt will be watching match with spin - all three vic- choice to open for Sri Lanka. the perfect late out swinger to got it in 40 overs in the 17th (1980) assisted by Brian from above the future of many tims were stumped by Amal. Incidentally, our partnership of right handers. With over 50 mandatory over in failing light. Seneviratne and Master In generations of Peterite and Also, while there were many 97 for the first wicket still stands wickets at an average of 11.3 and It should be remembered that Charge Austin Fernando. At the Josephian cricketers now and great all rounders in past as the highest for St. Peter’s. A a batting average of over 30 per our run rate of almost 4.7 runs helm of St. Peter’s was the for evermore. Peterite and Josephian teams, brilliant wicketkeeper who made inning he was easily the most per over was almost double that much revered Rector, Fr. Joe E. For after all, and whatever with all due respect, they did not catching and stumping look very valuable player of 1978. Walter of the previous 10 innings at the Wickremasinghe, who sadly anyone else says, at no period in play truly representative cricket easy, and though I cannot represented Sri Lanka Schools Big Match which had an aver- passed away a few years ago. the history of the game has any against the world’s top teams remember how many victims he and subsequently played for and age of only 2.5 runs! Today, members of the other team, either Peterite or and no one has conclusively had, with Rumesh and Vinodhan captained the Tamil Union. We bowled out Prince of “Platinum Years” teams have Josephian produced three Test proved his class by taking five firing thunderbolts from either With three half centuries to Wales College for 33 runs, scattered far and wide while players, two who shared the new wickets and scoring a half cen- end. There must have been his credit Niranjan Rodrigo who Ananda 34 and 94, Nalanda 67, some have even crossed the ball for Sri Lanka - Rumesh tury on his debut - at Lord’s, like many. captained in 1982 was a solid Royal 50, St. Thomas’ 111, great divide. Ratnayake and Vinodhan John Rumesh did.