Monday 21st December, 2009 13 Trusty Rusty The Man for a Crisis, now a class TV commentator another chance at the top of the order dumped. But experience can never be in 2002, he scored 62 and 109 in a discounted in major tournaments and valiant rearguard action at Old he found a spot in the 2007 World Cup Trafford, against England. squad. Failure in the series that followed Arnold retired after the World Cup left him on the sidelines for long peri- final (‘The Island’ Sports Editor, ods after the 2003 World Cup, but was the first to break the story of Arnold made his way back into the Arnold’s retirement) and joined the team for the home series against unofficial Indian Cricket League, Australia. Despite making 51 not out playing for the Chennai Superstars in his last ODI against Zimbabwe, and ICL World XI. Arnold was dropped from the ODI and For joining the so-called unsanc- Test teams in July 2004. The seven- tioned ICL, Arnold, Marvan Atapattu, man Ashantha de Mel selection com- Upul Chandan and if I am not mistak- mittee wanted to blood new talent and en, one other Sri Lankan player were Arnold’s future looked bleak for a hit with bans by the Jayantha while. But he worked hard on his Dharmadsa led Sri Lanka Cricket game in the nets and started to score Interim Committee. Subsequently the RUSSEL ARNOLD FACTFILE heavily in domestic cricket. Finally, ban was lifted in September 2008 by with his replacements failing to another Interim Committe, meaning Full name: Russel Premakumaran impress, he won a recall for the New Arnold and others were free to play Arnold Zealand tour in December 2004. domestic cricket. Born: October 25, 1973, Colombo However, pressure from the young He is now a respected radio and Current age: 36 years brigade - the likes of the now ‘dil- TV commentator and is currently Major teams: Sri Lanka, Chennai scoop’ Tillakaratne Dilshan - left him among the star class commentary Superstars, ICL World XI, Nondescripts Cricket Club fighting for his place. His Test role team providing their own form of Batting style: Left-hand bat went first, but after a poor tour of entertainment, in the on-going Sri Bowling style: Right-arm offbreak England in 2006 (following some prom- Lanka Vs India ODI series being Other: Radio and TV Commentator ising efforts in Australia), he was played in India. Russel Arnold by Russell Palipane an unselfish approach explains the high esteem in which he was held by have had the pleasure and privilege team-mates. A cool head under pres- of meeting Russel Arnold on a few sure helps when chasing and he added Ioccasions. great value in the field with a safe pair The first meeting was on the eve of of hands. He also bowled useful off his marriage to Sonali. That was at the breaks. NCC pavilion, in April 2000. From that A tall, angular left-hander and a moment on, I took a liking to the rangy, patient accumulator, Arnold began his amiable former St. Peter’s College Test career as an opener, but despite cricket captain. Also present that day solid scores then and on his recall for was the then Sri Lanka cricket coach, the Asian Test Championship two Dav Whatmore and the camera guy years later, he lost out to Marvan from ‘The Island’ Eranga Jayawardene, Atapattu as Sanath Jayasuriya’s part- who is now with The Associated Press. ner. Short of runs by late 2000, he Russel Arnold’s ability to adapt his dropped down into the lower middle game to the situation made him an order. When a loss of form and confi- ideal No.6 in limited overs cricket and dence from Jayasuriya gave Arnold Under-19 Cricket Mahanama secure innings win by Reemus overs (Avindu Fernando Hanwella 24, Thanuj Mahanama Vithanage College recorded 53;Aravinda de an innings and Silva 3/20, 101 run victory Indunil Kumara over President’s 2/13, Dilshan College, Rusiru 2/09) and Rajagiriya as 88 all out in 30.2 Duleeka overs (Yashan Thissakuttige Kuruwita 31, with a valuable Thanuj century and Vithanage 34; Aravinda de Aravinda de Silva with a Silva 5/18, match bag of Indunil Kumara eight wickets 2/15) excelled for the Mahanama winners in their 311 all out in 63.3 Inter-School overs (Sajith Under-19 match Ruberu 31, which ended at Duleeka Sri Thissakuttige Jayawardenapura 106, Aravinda de , yesterday. Silva 51, Randika Welikannage 55, Scores: Tharaka Cooray President’s 25; Achala Dias 122 all out in 45 8/58) .