Friday 10th June, 2011 Doyen of Cricket Writers CMJ speaks on cricket writing four decades ago and now ’s warm-up game against Essex today

REX CLEMENTINE selectors to join Rangana MCC President tells why REPORTING FROM LONDON Herath for the last Test. Essex play in Division Sri Lanka’s three day Two of the County warm-up game against Championship and are led Essex begins today by wicketkeeper batsman Sangakkara was chosen (Friday)at the County James Foster. Other promi- Ground in Chelmsford. Sri nent members of the Essex Lanka will rest five players side are Alastiar Cook, Ravi who played the second Test Bopara and Owais Shah. The against England at Lord’s county’s overseas players earlier this week providing are Dutchman Ryan ten for Lord’s Speech Doeschate and South other members of the squad an opportunity ahead of the African Lonwabo Tsotsobe. Weather interruptions REX CLEMENTINE REPORTING third Test Match against are expected throughout the FROM LONDON England at Rose Bowl next ‘Having been a prominent crick- week. three days of the warm up World renowned cricket broadcaster and While game. doyen of cricket writers Christopher Martin- et writer for four decades, what Tillakaratne Dilshan has Sri Lanka: Tharanga Jenkins added another feather to his when advice would he give the been ruled out after sustain- Paranavithana, Lahiru he was appointed as the President of the presti- ing a hairline fracture on his Thirimanna, Kumar gious (MCC), the body younger generation? “It’s a very right thumb, fast bowlers Sangakkara (Captain), that’s responsible for cricket’s laws and owns the Suranga Lakmal and Dinesh Chandimal, Thilan historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, last year. difficult profession to get into Chanaka Welagedara will be Samaraweera, Prasanna CMJ, as he’s fondly known, has a colourful because there are lots of people rested from the game along Jayawardene, Farveez history as a cricket writer and broadcaster hav- with left-arm spinner Maharoof, Thisara Perera, ing covered cricket in all parts of the world. He who would love to do it. But, I Rangana Herath. Former Suraj Randiv, Ajantha has not missed an Ashes series since 1972 and would say if you write well and if captain Mahela Jayawardene Mendis and Dilhara possibly is the only journalist to have covered all will also take a break, team Fernando. ten Cricket World Cups. you are passionately interested sources told ‘The Island’. Essex: (From) James The son of a Northamptonshire business- Kumar Sangakkara will Foster (Captain), Ravi man, he graduated at Cambridge and did his in the game it will come one day. lead the side in the absence Bopara, Maurice Chambers, first cricket writing for The Cricketer Magazine Michael Comber, Alastair before moving to the BBC, then to The Daily Keep trying and the door will of Dilshan with the warm- up game providing several Cook, , David Telegraph and finally to London Times. open somewhere if you really Masters, Jaik Mickleburgh, “It’s the passion for the game and a determi- young players an opportuni- and badly enough want it.” ty to shine. Graham Napier, Max nation to write, if I possibly could, that brought Osborne, Mark Pettini, Tim me into cricket writing,” CMJ told The Island. Sri Lanka are likely to Phillips, Owais Shah, Ryan “I got a lucky break. I took some catches at play two spinners for the ten Doeschate, Lonwabo short leg off an off-spinner called Jack Davis, the agenda I think.” third Test at Rose Bowl and who once got Bradman out for naught. He played After television, the invention of internet both Suraj Randiv and Tsotsobe, Matt Walker, Tom for Cambridge. While I was an undergraduate at meant that reporting on sports changed com- Ajantha Mendis will have an Westley, Adam Wheater and pletely as publications provided almost equal Chris Wright. Cambridge, I got talking to him about how am I Doyen of cricket writers Christopher Martin- opportunity to impress the getting into this profession. He then spoke to importance to their website as much as what Jenkins receives his MBE from Prince Charles comes on print. As a result the role of a cricket E.W. Swanton, who mentioned that there might in 2009. He’s currently the President of MCC be a job coming up at the Cricketer Magazine. writer changed too. “News has come very and was responsible for inviting Kumar Eventually I applied and got that job. That’s soon instantly than it was ever before. Earlier, If you after I finished my university,” CMJ further said Sangakkara to deliver the Lord Cowdrey try to read a morning paper, the summery of the Sri Lanka can cope without talking about his early days. Lecture on Spirit of Cricket at Lord’s on July day’s play, you’ve got to be aware that your read- Ernest William (Jim) Swanton, who died 11 4th. ers might not have known anything that had years ago, was a Cricket Commentator at BBC’s gone on. But nowadays, they are very likely to sible. MCC still sends about four tours a year to know everything that had gone on. So you’ve got Dilshan, says Murali Test Match Special for 30 years and worked for funny place like Chile and Hong Kong. There has to approach it in a very different angle.” The Daily Telegraph as well. Neville Cardus was been a tour to Greece at the moment. But I think Former Sri Lanka spin the World Cup. another distinguished cricket writer before him The gradual change of the nature of job people were slow to recognize just how solidly meant that the atmosphere at the Press Box too ace Muttiah Muralitharan is That leaves the uncapped and CMJ would have certainly read a lot of their based cricket has been for many many years in confident that there is pair of 21-year-olds, Lahiru writing. Did he have any role models in the early changed as journalists needed to update the hap- Sri Lanka.” penings instantly for their publications’ inter- enough leadership and talent Thirimanne and Dinesh days? “No role models as such. But I really read Does he have in the Sri Lankan camp for Chandimal as the candidates a lot,” he said. net version. “From the professional writers’ any favourite Sri point of view, internet has taken the fun out a them to hit back in the third to replace Dilshan at the top “I probably Lankan crick- Test against England, despite of the Sri Lankan order. didn’t read as bit. You are never off duty. There’s always a eter? “Oh, that’s responsibility to inform the people all the time. the absence of skipper “The other players can much as I a tough one. Tillakaratne Dilshan, ‘crick- take a chance,” added should have I don’t think press box is much fun as it used to That’s very diffi- be. There’s no time to talk because everyone is et365.com’ reported on its Muralitharan. done on crick- cult to answer. website, Wednesday. “It gives another opener et. Soon after I looking at their computers. Those days we used But I suppose to be much more relaxed and had much more Sri Lanka fought back an opportunity so they can joined The Murali has been and held out for a draw in the grab it - that is the way to Cricketer, I time for talking and joking. That’s a shame we the biggest match don’t have it today. But I guess that’s how life is second Test at Lord’s and look at it. used to read winner. But of head to the Rose Bowl in “We have played well. We Swanton these days.” the batsmen very At the age of 67, CMJ has now ceased to be Southampton with their just had one collapse, which among others hard to differenti- hopes of levelling the three- meant they lost first Test, but obviously. He the Chief Cricket Correspondent of London ate between Times. Former England captain Michael match series still very much otherwise, they have been gave me a Aravinda and the alive. They are likely, howev- doing pretty well. copy of an Atherton has succeeded him. CMJ still writes two current the occasional piece for the paper but has been er, to be without Dilshan Anthology of heavyweights; after he suffered a hairline “Of course, you do miss Roberts and involved in BBC’s Test Match Special. Having Jayawardene and been a prominent cricket writer for four fracture to his thumb during senior players a bit. But you Glasgow’s writing on cricket. That was a very a Sangakkara. They are all genuinely great play- his heroic knock of 193 at cannot say that without good example of writing.” decades, what advice would he give the younger ers, but Murali is one of the great geniuses of generation? “It’s a very difficult profession to Lord’s. Dilshan Sri Lanka will lose a Over the years, CMJ also has been a great cricket.” Muralitharan - presently match. There will be other admirer of Sri Lankan cricket. “I do indeed. get into because there are lots of people who CMJ reveals that for him the toughest chal- would love to do it. But, I would say if you write playing for Gloucestershire players who can replace That doesn’t mean that I don’t try to see as objec- lenge in covering cricket was coming to terms in the FriendsLife T20 com- him.” tively as I can. I try to be fair.” well and if you are passionately interested in with technology involved in coverage of the the game it will come one day. Keep trying and petition - is under no illu- Apart from the day five During Test in 1998, which Sri sport that grew extensively in the last two sions that the skipper’s nightmare collapse at Lanka won, following England coach David the door will open somewhere if you really and decades. “I have never been very good on the badly enough want it.” attacking approach Cardiff, Sri Lanka’s batting Lloyd’s bitter comments on Muttiah technology. So I would say it’s more of a chal- will be missed, but he reck- has been resolute, with their Muralitharan’s bowling action; he went onto He also feels that once someone gets there, lenge to me than writing words usually. Getting a perseverance becomes vital as there is a tenden- ons that leadership will not real worry being an inexperi- point out the need to remain gracious in defeat. done copy across has been a problem especially be a problem for Sri Lanka, enced and ineffective bowl- “I do have a great affection for Sri Lanka. Often, cy to take up other ventures that open up while in places like India and Sri Lanka where technol- functioning in the profession. “It’s very impor- with former skipper Mahela ing attack. their cricket is underestimated. Even this game, ogy didn’t work brilliantly. That’s the worst part Jayawardene and Kumar “The bowling is a little bit they have surprised a few people who were tant. Knowing what you want to do and doing of my job I think. You write something and then your very best by legitimate means to get the Sangakkara in the side. weak, but I still think they thinking that England had won the Ashes conve- for some reason you lose it and you have to do it “They will miss Dilshan will manage it and they will niently forgetting what had happened in the sort of job you want. It requires luck as every- all over again. That’s terrible. But otherwise, I thing else. But if you put in your heart and soul as a batsman, but they also get the experience when play- World Cup.” don’t find it a tremendous challenge.” have other experienced cap- ers get their chance,” added Does he agree that Sri Lanka should have got and build up your knowledge, you are much Cricket writing has changed drastically since likely to succeed.” tains in the squad - so they the 39-year old. a three Test series against England much earlier CMJ first started writing, particularly in the last can handle that,” the record- “They are capable than in 2001, when they ultimately received a Finally, he reveals that as the President of three decades with live coverage of cricket on MCC why he opted to have Kumar Sangakkara breaking off-spinner was bowlers. Definitely they can three match series? “They should have probably. television gradually increasing. What are his quoted as having said. do the job. But having said that England were the first coun- to present this year’s Lord Cowdrey Lecture on observations on the way cricket writing has Spirit of Cricket. Sangkakara on July 4th will “We are not doing very try Sri Lanka played in changed over the years? “The biggest change is The opening void left by well but are a very young . England have become the first Sri Lankan and youngest ever that people feel they need to quote players to present the Lord’s lecture. “I did have a Dilshan’s absence will not be team, inexperienced - so it been very good at encour- instead of giving their own views on what has filled by Upul Tharanga - will take some time to devel- aging other countries. strong influence. The main reasons are one is happened. I guess it’s because television has the statute of Kumar Sangakkara who is a great who was not part of the orig- op the team and is what the MCC (Marylebone Cricket dominated the scene now and people always see inal Test squad - after the coach wants to do. Club) in particular over contemporary cricketer, very articulate and things in greater details in the middle as a result experienced as a player. Then as the Cowdrey left-hander was ruled out of “Once that moment the years played a mission- of these very good replays and people are further international action comes, we will start win- ary role in spreading the Lecture hasn’t been given by a Sri Lankan, we inclined to listen to what the commentators and thought that it’s a good time to have him and I until after an investigation ning,” Muralitharan conclud- game and encouraging oth- ex-players say about it. To some extent they set into his failed drugs test at ed. (Russ) ers to play as much as pos- am sure he will be very good.

CH&FC-Kandy the pick among rugby matches this week Basketball Selections on Saturday and Sunday The much looked forward to Kandy SC Rugby critics believe CH&FC should come The vastly improved Havelock SC will The selections for the will begin at 8:00 am on vs CH&FC rugby match in the Caltex spon- up with a better performance in their sec- host Army SC at the Park Club grounds on upcoming 26th FIBA Asia Saturday, it will continue on sored inter-club league rugby tournament ond match if they are to remain in con- Friday. Men’s Championship in Sunday from 5:00 pm will be played in Nittawela on Sunday. tention for honours in the league tourna- Matches this week Kandy started the season on a winning ment. June 10 (Friday) –Havelock SC vs Army China and the first South onwards, Chairman of the note by beating Havelocks SC last Saturday. In the other match scheduled for SC at Havelock Park, Police SC vs CR&FC Asian Beach Games in Sri National Selection CH&FC didn’t have things their way in the Sunday,Navy SC will host Sri Lanka Air at Police Park Lanka will be held on Committee Dr. Chula season opener despite fielding five expatri- Force in Welisara. June 12 (Sunday)- Kandy SC vs CH&FC Saturday and Sunday at St. Senaratne said in a media ates. The Gymkhana Club rugby players On Friday,CR&FC, led by Dushanth at Nittawela, Navy SC vs Air Force at Joseph’s Girls’ School, release. went down fighting to CR&FC last week. Lewke, will scrum down with Police SC. Welisara (RN) Nugegoda. While selections

Friday 10th June, 2011