by Mahinda Wijessinghe
The farewell accorded to a long-serving international cricketer is a poignant moment. Especially in earlier times when players were not financially rewarded as it is now. Those were the times when international players, not forgetting those in the lower rungs, were more often out of pocket playing the game they loved at the expense of their careers and their family life. No wonder, the farewells given to ‘Jack’ Hobbs and Don Bradman are stuff that legends are made of. When Bradman, the Australian captain who had practically ‘murdered’ England bowlers for two decades walked into bat at the Kennington Oval in the final Ashes Test of 1948, the entire crowd — obviously the majority of whom were Englishmen — gave him a standing ovation. At the centre, the England captain, Norman Yardley, called all his players to the pitch and gave The Don three cheers while the crowd watched in rapt attention. Bradman was dismissed — bowled Hollies - without scoring to the second ball he received, and believe it or not, Bradman was given another standing ovation by the predominantly English crowd, as he walked back to the pavilion after batting in a Test match for the last time. As Eric Hollies, the leg-spinner who dismissed Bradman, commented rather drily that the batsman who gets nothing is given a standing ovation but the bowler who dismissed him is ignored completely! That, of course, is another story.

IT WAS THE ENGLAND PLAYERS AND THE CROWD

The point here is that Bradman, because of whom a revolutionary type of bowling - namely Bodyline, during the 1932-33 Ashes series - was ‘invented’ and nearly caused the disruption of the oldest Test series, was felicitated in this manner by the England players and the crowds. This was not an orchestrated gesture. And, this was despite The Don having plundered 5028 runs in just 37 Tests he had played against England, including 19 centuries at an average of 89.79 runs/innings!! It would be uncharitable to compare these figures with any other player. For instance, Sri Lanka’s outstanding Test batsman, Aravinda de Silva, has scored one century less in his entire career against all countries, than what Bradman scored against England only. Yet, Aravinda de Silva batted eightythree more innings! This in no way is an effort to detract from de Silva’s performances, but merely to show the pinnacle where Bradman the batsman is. Actually, Bradman the cricketer too is on the same pedestal.

SPONTANEOUS GESTURE IN THE HIGHEST TRADITION

Whilst on the subject of farewell to cricketers, it was heartening to note the ceremony England players accorded to West Indian pacemen Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose when the fearsome duo made their final Test bow. The England players who were fielding came up to the pavilion gate as each of the two great West Indians came out to bat and formed a guard of honour. This was a spontaneous gesture in the highest traditions of the game and both Walsh and Ambrose retired with dignity saying the right things and with their heads held high. Well played, England. Well played Walsh and Ambrose. Both of you have adorned the game in a manner that any parent can tell their children to follow your respective examples. That is a rich legacy you have left behind.

VERNON PRINS AND THE GOPALAN TROPHY

Now to the Sri Lankan scene. It is heartening to note that the Gopalan Trophy has not only been revived after a lapse of 14 years but that the 3-match One-day series will be played for the Vernon Prins trophy in honour of the gentleman cricketer who captained the inaugural Gopalan Trophy game way back in 1953. Vernon Prins, a former Thomian, Nondescript CC and a Ceylon skipper, was not only an outstanding all-rounder but also a cricketer in the true sense of the word. The Colombo District Cricket Association, under whose auspices the series is being conducted, must be commended for this gesture. However, the same cannot be said of the appointment of Hashan Tillekeratne as the captain for the series. Here a man who when accused of having accosted Sidath Wettimuny in a public place, namely at the N.C.C. where Tillekeratne himself is a member, in the most reprehensible manner, made a statement by counter accusing Wettimuny. Tillekeratne, in his prepared statement, stated, inter alia: "ÉÉ(Wettimuny) started insulting me by making derogatory comments about my friendship with Arjuna Ranatunga, and stating that the only reason I had ever er played for my country for such a long time was because of Arjuna Ranatunga... told me that Ranatunga was not a good captain and that he was "too dominating’’ and that he should be removed. On all these occasions, I had not agreed with Wettimuny as I have and always will have a great respect and regard for Ranatunga.... I also assume that Ranatunga’s comments regarding Wettimuny during his farewell press that was broadcast live on television may have antagonised Wettimuny furtherÉ"

FOUND GUILTY

However, when Tillekeratne was found guilty by the committee appointed by the Nondescripts Cricket Club, he retracted these statements which meant that events as related by him were a pack of lies. Also, that he was attempting to gain some sort of protection by relating his (alleged?) allegiance to Arjuna Ranatunga seems evident. However, in the face of indisputable evidence all of Tillekeratne’s ploys failed. Incidentally, this is not the only occasion that Tillekeratne has reportedly been involved in rough-house tactics.

SADDENED BY THE ETHICS OF THE C.D.C.A

Given such a recent background, that the Selectors of the Colombo District Cricket Association appointed Tillekeratne as their captain speaks very poorly of the cricketing ethics of this body not to mention their expertise when one remembers that the current vice-captain of the national side, Marvan Atapattu, will have to play under Tillekeratne. Is there any hidden agenda in this? If anyone wants to remind me that Tillekeratne was a former captain of Sri Lanka ( in one Test match), all what I would say is that his poor conduct makes his position even more unacceptable. That the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka too has not yet made any statement on this issue except to state that they are awaiting the result of the inquiry conducted by the N.C.C.. Well, they found him guilty but was let off with a severe reprimand since Wettimuny opted out for reasons only he and Tillekeratne probably know. Does that mean the Cricket Board stays silent after all. Tillekeratne is a now a national player? Perhaps the Cricket Board is relieved in more ways than one.

TENNEKOON, PRINS AND THE SCHOOL BY THE SEA

Now comes another twist to this sordid saga. Anura Tennekoon, just as Vernon Prins was, a former Thomian and a Ceylon skipper. Tennekoon was appointed Manager cum coach of the Colombo District C.A. for the Gopalan Trophy series. When he learnt that Tillekeratne was appointed captain, Tennekoon tendered his resignation immediately. As Tennekoon told me: ‘’It is time we stand up and be counted. One must not let discipline be undermined. Cricket as we know is too noble a game and I cannot condone this type of action." Tennekoon and Prins may have attended a school (we reckon it to be the best amongst schools by the sea!) where they supposedly knew to eat with only forks and spoons while Wettimuny reportedly attended one where they used their fingers. But, having associated with the three of them on the cricket field and outside it, I am not alone when I vouch for the fact that they had one thing in common. They were gentlemen who adorned the game of cricket wherever and whenever they played. Only, they seem obsolete today.