by Supun Perera
One of cricket’s greatest pleasures is to look back and savour, since cricket by its very nature leaves impressions that are enduring and even indelible, the matches of importance in the past, an immaculate piece of an innings or an accurate spell of bowling and in general a memorable cricketing deed seem to stick in the mind as with no other sport.
Whenever the public who love cricket gather the great days and the great deeds of the past are often the subject of sincere conversation.
We are continually embroiled in discussing this player or that match with people who would like to remember. Yes; the game of cricket which is commonly known as the “Game of Gentlemen”; the phrase of post test era of Sri Lankan cricket is certainly that stirs up a thousands of emotions.
This issue will be dedicated to a man who as no doubt, devoted his entire cricketing life to his motherland and wish to reach a milestone which many a cricketer does not achieve; which is century of test matches! The name is quite synonymous to many a Sri Lankan and to the entire cricket lovers in the globe of Chaminda Vaas.
The veteran left arm paceman who is set to join the elite band of two other household names in Lankan cricket Muttiah Muralitheran and Sanath Jayasuriya who achieved this golden feat before him.
The first of the Three Test matches will commence in Asgiriya, Kandy today and this enthusiastic and energetic cricketer will be the cynosure of many a spectator along with his team mate Muttiah Muralitheran when they walk out to the picturesque hill capital test venue.
It is the same venue where Chaminda Vaas made his debut for the country under Arjuna Ranatunge against Pakistan led by Salim Malik in 1994. Similarly he was the chief architect of the first overseas test victory which we recorded against New Zealand.
The Asgiriya Test venue is some what important to him since he became the first Sri Lankan to claim 100 Test wickets and 1000 Test runs against England in 2001.
A traditional Test match of this magnitude and nature, often spoken as the “BATTLE OF DAVID AND GOLIATH” has through the years developed a healthy character and identity of its own since the time where Test cricket was introduced to the Island in 1982.
So much so that apart from the cricket played, there is also much fellow feeling amidst festive gaiety and revelry which draws many spectators from here and abroad. Comparatively therefore it’s just not another Test series.
But a major happening that gives it the right to be regarded as the “PHENOMENAL” and as the outcome of the test series not only be of importance to indefatigable Chaminda Vaas or either irrepressible Muttiah Muralitheran but the country as a whole could be proud of.
The daring paceman showed promise and glimpse during his tender age at his alma mater St. Joseph’s College Colombo.
It was in the 1989/90 school’s cricket season that a 15-year-old left armer who impressed as a medium pacer. He turned out for St. Joseph’s with a galaxy of cricketers of the calibre of Oril de Mel, Viran Perera, Krishan Tillekeratne, Angelo Ranasinghe and Harsha de Silva (The present Josephian cricket coach).
“It is truly deserving for a determined bloke of this nature. His Commitment and hardwork has yielded the best possible result a pace bowler could achieve”. Observed Krishan Tillekeratne the stylish opening bat, who at present is the CEO of a leading auto finance company. Hence we salute you dear friend! You have made your alma mater and the whole country proud as what we learn at St. Joseph’s “STAND STRONG TILL THE MOUNTAINS DISAPPEAR.”
Let us hope and pray that the weather would prevail fine right throughout the Test series where twenty two gallant warriors from both the countries will battle for Supremacy.
For Vaas and Muralitheran two “KNIGHTS” It will be absolutely “REMARKABLE”. As the late Carwyn James would say “LET THERE BE FURY AND FUN, CHIVALRY AND ENJOYMENT”.
source http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/12/01/spo03.asp
One of cricket’s greatest pleasures is to look back and savour, since cricket by its very nature leaves impressions that are enduring and even indelible, the matches of importance in the past, an immaculate piece of an innings or an accurate spell of bowling and in general a memorable cricketing deed seem to stick in the mind as with no other sport.
Whenever the public who love cricket gather the great days and the great deeds of the past are often the subject of sincere conversation.
We are continually embroiled in discussing this player or that match with people who would like to remember. Yes; the game of cricket which is commonly known as the “Game of Gentlemen”; the phrase of post test era of Sri Lankan cricket is certainly that stirs up a thousands of emotions.
This issue will be dedicated to a man who as no doubt, devoted his entire cricketing life to his motherland and wish to reach a milestone which many a cricketer does not achieve; which is century of test matches! The name is quite synonymous to many a Sri Lankan and to the entire cricket lovers in the globe of Chaminda Vaas.
The veteran left arm paceman who is set to join the elite band of two other household names in Lankan cricket Muttiah Muralitheran and Sanath Jayasuriya who achieved this golden feat before him.
The first of the Three Test matches will commence in Asgiriya, Kandy today and this enthusiastic and energetic cricketer will be the cynosure of many a spectator along with his team mate Muttiah Muralitheran when they walk out to the picturesque hill capital test venue.
It is the same venue where Chaminda Vaas made his debut for the country under Arjuna Ranatunge against Pakistan led by Salim Malik in 1994. Similarly he was the chief architect of the first overseas test victory which we recorded against New Zealand.
The Asgiriya Test venue is some what important to him since he became the first Sri Lankan to claim 100 Test wickets and 1000 Test runs against England in 2001.
A traditional Test match of this magnitude and nature, often spoken as the “BATTLE OF DAVID AND GOLIATH” has through the years developed a healthy character and identity of its own since the time where Test cricket was introduced to the Island in 1982.
So much so that apart from the cricket played, there is also much fellow feeling amidst festive gaiety and revelry which draws many spectators from here and abroad. Comparatively therefore it’s just not another Test series.
But a major happening that gives it the right to be regarded as the “PHENOMENAL” and as the outcome of the test series not only be of importance to indefatigable Chaminda Vaas or either irrepressible Muttiah Muralitheran but the country as a whole could be proud of.
The daring paceman showed promise and glimpse during his tender age at his alma mater St. Joseph’s College Colombo.
It was in the 1989/90 school’s cricket season that a 15-year-old left armer who impressed as a medium pacer. He turned out for St. Joseph’s with a galaxy of cricketers of the calibre of Oril de Mel, Viran Perera, Krishan Tillekeratne, Angelo Ranasinghe and Harsha de Silva (The present Josephian cricket coach).
“It is truly deserving for a determined bloke of this nature. His Commitment and hardwork has yielded the best possible result a pace bowler could achieve”. Observed Krishan Tillekeratne the stylish opening bat, who at present is the CEO of a leading auto finance company. Hence we salute you dear friend! You have made your alma mater and the whole country proud as what we learn at St. Joseph’s “STAND STRONG TILL THE MOUNTAINS DISAPPEAR.”
Let us hope and pray that the weather would prevail fine right throughout the Test series where twenty two gallant warriors from both the countries will battle for Supremacy.
For Vaas and Muralitheran two “KNIGHTS” It will be absolutely “REMARKABLE”. As the late Carwyn James would say “LET THERE BE FURY AND FUN, CHIVALRY AND ENJOYMENT”.
source http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/12/01/spo03.asp
