Tuesday 2nd November, 2010 15

BY MAHINDA WIJESINGHE dusty, turning in the sub-conti- nent, he was to India what Godfrey ith the current trend of select- Evans was to England a couple of ing World XIs based on various decades earlier. No wonder he was the Whuman qualities such as ‘gentle- first choice -keeper for the Rest of manliness’, ‘elegance’, ‘flamboyance’, the World XI in the 1970’s, and was an ‘stodginess’, and so forth, what about a attacking batsman of high quality as team of ‘professionals’? well. For instance, as an opener, his blis- Or, to put it more succinctly, here’s a A contractor to an ironmonger tering (109) against the West team whose names denoted a profession. Indies attack comprising Hall, Griffith, Of course, one has to delve into history, Sobers and Gibbs at Chepauk in 1967 and by attempting to ‘balance’ the team, will be also remembered for having it may not be the strongest to meet the unfortunately missed reaching the cen- other so-called World XIs. However, tury by a mere six runs before lunch on since these matches are in one’s imagi- the first day of the Test which would nation only, who cares? with a packer in support have enabled him get membership of Let us begin at the beginning. the exclusive company of Trumper, The left-handed Indian opener Nari Macartney, Bradman and . Contractor, who played 31 Tests, takes West Indians were well-known for first strike. Just as the Australian left- producing a string of high quality fast handed opener Arthur Morris who bowlers, especially during the decades began his first-class career with twin of the 1970’s and 1980’s. centuries, Contractor emulated this feat did not possess for Gujarat against Baroda in 1952. the most classical of actions. Nor was The youngest (at that time) at 26 Or, to put it more suc- he blessed with the necessary height years, to his country (against cinctly, here’s a team and build for the trade. Yet he proved as Pakistan in 1960-61) he led India to a his- “ one of the most fearsome paceman of toric 2-0 win over England led by Ted whose names denoted the lot. A cunning cricket brain, loads of Dexter in 1961-62. It was the first occa- stamina and a bagful of courage helped sion when India won a rubber against a profession. Of him capture 376 wickets at a mean cost England. In 2007 he was awarded the C. of 20.95/wicket in the 81 Tests he played K. Nayudu lifetime achievement award, course, one has to with an impressive strike-rate of 46.7. the highest honour the Indian board can delve into history, and He displayed superlative skill and bestow on a former player. On this occa- courage, when he demolished England

sion, the Nawab of Pataudi - currently by attempting to ‘bal- by capturing 7/53 in 1984 at Leeds with

the youngest at 21 years 77 days to cap- his fractured left-arm in plaster tain any country - most graciously com- ance’ the team, it may enabling West Indies to an easy win. He mented as follows: “He was a great cap- was no mug with the bat either having tain and a great role model. I played not be the strongest to hit 10 half centuries in Tests. Tragically,

under him for the first time when we meet the other so- aged 41. he was cruelly felled by the beat ’s side 2-0 in 1961-62.” scourge of cancer. Sadly, when at the threshold of a called World XIs. Of course, there could have been a promising career, tragedy struck. A better choice from the West Indian sta- short from West Indian pace- However, since these bles itself to fill the fourth paceman’s slot - after Miller, Marshall and Procter. “ man, , felled him at “ in 1962 with almost fatal con- matches are in one’s But then, one needs a professional han- sequences. Two years later he bravely imagination only, who dle to be picked to represent the profes- attempted to stage a comeback but was sionals. So the vote goes to, though not successful. cares? injury-prone, hailing from Contractor’s opening partner, and to Trinidad. Capturing 161 wickets at ensure a left-right opening pair, New 24.27/wicket in 43 Tests are not figures Zealand’s right-handed Glen Turner fills to scoff at especially with a strike-rate the bill. After all, a contractor does need of 52.2 but recurring stress fractures of a man who can operate a lathe! his back put paid to greater deeds. Sometimes considered the Kiwi version Australian, Herbert (‘Bert’) of England’s Geoff Boycott, Turner was Ironmonger is the selectors’ pick as the epitome of a professional cricketer this solid right-hander’s prodigious bat- No.11, and there weren’t any worse bats- and captained his country in 10 Tests ting skills with a first-class average of man for this position! As A.G. but later fell foul with administrators. 71.6, being only second to that of (“Johnny”) Moyes once observed: “He Bradman, and a Test average of 47.7, is He twice carried out bat in Tests while How if Vijay Merchant is to lead a cricket team comprising top international play- went to the wickets mostly as a gesture averaging a healthy 44-plus and possess the choice at No.4, and picked to lead the to convention.” The heavily-built, slow- ers whose names denote professions? Here is Merchant displaying one of his the proud record of having amassed 103 professional team as well. In 47 Ranji moving fastish left-arm spinner was first-class hundreds. Trophy he sported a classic off-drives in a Test against England at in 1946. (Files) ironically nicknamed “Dainty”. Despite West Indian was a average of a stunning 98.75! Perhaps pol- 1967-68 series. Bradman’s ‘Invincibles’ of 1948 and having lost the top of his middle finger solid right-hand batsman and a superb itics eluded him the Indian captaincy, Now comes the star-turn, Australian helped enhance his reputation but not in his hand, he was more than a close-in fielder and will be the choice at after all, wasn’t he made (or rail-road- all-rounder, Keith Ross Miller at No.6. his chance of captaining Australia. handful during his brief 14-Test career the all-important No.3 slot. ed?) to play under the ostentatious cap- Some even consider him the greatest all- Now comes another all-rounder, a during which he captured 74 wickets at Sporting a respectable batting aver- taincy of Maharajkumar of rounder of all time. tragic one at that, and the only South 17.9. Just as Underwood, decades later, age of 47.6 in the 29 Tests, he played in Vizianagram during the Indian tour of However, statistics did not - and can- African contribution to the professional he was unplayable on soft pitches. He an era when the West Indies batsmen England in 1936? not - do justice to the former dare-devil XI - Mike Procter. Sadly he played in made his Test debut at the veteran age were better known for their flamboy- of the West Indies fighter-pilot’s career with a batting aver- only 7 Tests and, like his contempo- of 45 years and 237 days, along with the ance and panache. The big-built made his presence felt during the 1958- age of 36.9 and 170 wickets captured at raries, could not display his vast talent exalted company of , Barbadian, on the other hand, gave 59 series in India, against the bowlers of 22.9 in 55 Tests. He was also known for internationally due to his country’s against England in the 1928-29 series. He solidity to their batting. In the 1966 tour the calibre of Gupte, Nadkarni, his good looks, flamboyant feats on the abhorrent political policies. 41 Test did not make much of an early impres- of England he began the series with an Mankad, Phadkar and Ghulam Ahmed. field but more importantly the generous wickets at 15.02, all against Australia, is sion being used mainly as a stock innings of 49 runs and then passed the The Guyanese right-hander aggregated attitude towards the game. Once during sufficient proof of his prowess as a bowler in the first two Tests after which half-century mark five times in as many 486 runs (average 69.4) including two a Test match, after England had lost a right-arm paceman who off the he lost his place. However, he came into Tests including a magnificent 137 at hundreds. In the 1960’s, Australian skip- couple of wickets in quick succession wrong foot. As a batsman he equaled his own against the touring West Indies Leeds that helped West Indies retain the per considered Butcher and runs were at a premium, Miller the records of C. B. Fry and Don in the 1930-31 series at Melbourne, cap- . Making his final appear- the “most difficult” thought he could liven up the game and Bradman of scoring six successive first- turing 11/79 including the great George ance in Tests, against New Zealand in West Indian batsmen to dismiss - the whispered to the incoming batsman: class hundreds. His feats for Headley in both innings as the tourists the 1968-69 series at Christchurch, West Indian version of ! “I’ll bowl you two half-volleys to start Gloucestershire, whom most referred as crashed headlong to an innings defeat. Nurse made a career-best 258 runs, the Remember, this was when the Windies you off - you know what to do with it.” “Proctershire”, due to his phenomenal Despite his feats and obvious claims for highest-ever by a batsman in his last had top-flight batsmen such as Hunte, The relieved batsman thumped both to performances with both bat and ball are continued national selection, Test innings - a record that has lasted 41 Fredericks, Kanhai, Sobers and Nurse. the and the crowd erupted. part of cricket lore in English county Ironmonger, was not selected for tours years. Can one forget the Guyanese right-han- Came the next Miller delivery that near- cricket. abroad since, reportedly his action What a way to go! der’s memorable contribution of a ly parted his hair and the shocked bats- At no.8, the third Indian and the seemed questionable. Vijay Madhavji Merchant sometimes match-saving 133 runs in a West Indian man fell to the ground having barely wicket-keeper of the professional team So the final ‘professional’ XI is: opened batting for India – once prompt- total of 229 at Lord’s in 1963 that helped saved his (helmetless) head. Then came makes his appearance - Farokh Vijay Merchant (Capt.), , ing the former great English captain C. draw the game which is still considered Miller’s gem to the batsman: “Mate, Maneksha Engineer - who played 46 Glen Turner, Seymour Nurse, Basil B. Fry to comment: “Let’s paint him one of the most pulsating games ever remember, I told you two, not three!” Tests for India. Blessed with sharp Butcher, Keith Miller, Mike Procter, white and take him to Australia as our played in the history of ? He Alexander Dumas named his Three reflexes, a necessary ingredient to , Malcolm Marshall, opener!” - and later bolstered the middle was not a bad leg-spinner either once Musketeers Porthos, Athos and Aramis, “keep” for the legendary spin quartet of Ian Bishop and Herbert Ironmonger. order in his- 10-Test career - all against capturing 5/15 in a spell of 8.3 overs Keith Miller was all three Musketeers Bedi, Chandrasekhar, Prasanna and As the sponsor we have none other England - spread over 18 years. However, against England at Port-of-Spain in the rolled into one. Was a member of Don Venkataraghavan, especially on the than Kerry Packer!

Elated SLRFU wants to Action from 36th National Sports Festival contract players The 36th National Sports Festival ended yesterday at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy. Here are some excit- ing action from top local athletes during the three-day event. (Pix by Jude Pathiraja) BY RAVI NAGAHAWATTE their expertise on the legal procedure in keeping with the aspect of things,” said the IRB rules and regulations, The Sri Lanka Rugby SLRFU Secretary. which allow countries to field Padma Nandani Football Union (SLRFU) on He added that sporting expatriates, Dullewa said, “I Wijesundara, Monday heaped praise on the successes like this by Sri can only give my personal who is a teacher Joy national rugby sevens players Lanka’s rugby players would opinion on this one. I believe at the Ferguson Dhanushka on their achievements at the definitely attract sponsors. we should strengthen our team Balika Vidyalaya Perera, Borneo Sevens and said that it Dullewa went to state that with the inclusion of some in Ratnapura, who won would soon look at remunerat- as much as the focus on rugby expatriates like most other made a remark- gold in ing the players. now would be on future sev- countries. People can argue able feat by win- men’s shot The SLRFU Secretary, ens assignments, the country’s that the presence of expatri- ning the gold rugby players should also con- ates can reduce the chances put, in Shane Dullewa described Sri medal in centrate on next year’s Asian of Sri Lankans representing action on Lanka making the final of the women’s dis- Five Nations where Sri Lanka their nation. But then you can Sunday, Plate Championship as ‘a very cuss throw for qualifies to play in the top half. also look at it differently. When Oct. 31 great achievement’. the 19th con- Incidentally the occasion Asked whether the country CH&FC had all foreigners secutive year. marked the first tine Sri Lanka had enough resources to con- playing for them, it influenced had entered the Plate centrate on two gigantic sport- others to open clubs so that Championship finals of an IRB ing events like the Hong Kong locals could also play rugby. rated sevens tournament, but Sevens and the Asian Five See how many clubs came up the islanders were unfortunate Nations, Dullewa answered in in Sri Lanka that way. There to lose to Malaysia in that the affirmative. “Players will are always benefits when for- exciting final, on Sunday. come. Everybody wants to eigners are drafted into the “This win will boost the play for Sri Lanka now. Sri side. I personally believe this attendance at practices and Lanka also receives the back- 33-month rule must be put to the SLRFU has already begun ing of the IRB, so there would the best use to strengthen Sri discussions at council level to be no problem,” said Dullewa. Lanka’s teams with expatri- pay the players from next The Malaysian team that ates,” opined Dullewa. year,” said Dullewa. He said beat Sri Lanka at the Plate While Malaysia huffed and that the contracts to be signed Championship at the Borneo puffed to beat Sri Lanka to win with the players would be done Sevens was heavily muscled the Plate, Hong Kong sur- so that it benefits both the with the inclusion of several prised reigning champs Japan SLRFU and the players. “The Fijians. 31-28 to win the Cup Western Province was in for a rude shock when they lost the netball title contracts have been drafted When asked whether Sri Championship at the Borneo Action from the men’s kabaddi final on Monday at after nine long years. This year’s champions are the valiant North Western and sent to the lawyers to get Lanka should adopt the same Sevens. the Bogambara Stadium lasses who won this final after a close tussle.