C.I. Gunasekara: A man that can never be forgotten!
by Bertie WIJESINHA
|
Conroy Ievers Gunasekera |
"Time like an ever-rolling
stream
Bears all its sons away:
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day."
- The Psalms of David,
Isaac Watts (1719)
CRICKET: Conroy Ievers Gunasekera has gone the way of all
flesh, but he will remain in the heart and mind and in spirit as long as
we live, and there is cricket: a personality and stature one could never
erase from the memory. For he was a force and personality, a man of
stature, outstanding, admirable and commanding. Having set high
standards, he maintained these standards throughout his life, in sport
and in living.
Outstanding in all sport as a schoolboy at Royal College, he excelled
as a cricketer for his country. He was brilliant also at Tennis in
particular and in Golf, and as a schoolboy he participated in Rugby and
Athletics. Versatile and brilliant, he was the ideal teammate.
It is as a cricketer, however, that he will remain in the memory.
Unusually tall, lithe as a cane, he was the personification of the ideal
athlete. His performance as recorded in the statistics are deeds anyone
can be proud of, and they will linger in the memory!
As a person, though a good and loyal friend, he was somewhat distant,
and tended to withdraw himself without being unsociable. His friends
were always received at his home with pleasure, a small coterie of them
being specially welcome. He was then a different being savouring their
company and in conversation, in which he took a major share, delighting
in argument!
It is sad to remember that this great sporting giant lived the life
of a recluse after the sad death of his wife, Doreen, a tragic event
which left him bewildered and practically alone. For his son, Chris, was
domiciled in the United Kingdom and could see him only periodically. We,
who visited him from time to time, marvelled at his composure and
self-possession, his civility and obvious pleasure to know that he was
not left forgotten, that there were friends who still sought his company
and respected him.
The world knows Ievers Gunasekera as a most outstanding and brilliant
cricketer, a batsman in particular. We in Sri Lanka and at the
Singhalese Sports Club count it a blessing he was on our side. For we
knew how opponents feared him, as a batsman, bowler and brilliant
fielder, his feats are recorded in the books. But his fielding was also
very special. In our long association on the field, I have never seen
him drop a catch. I have seen him catch many that were thought
impossible!
His exploits on the field are history and well recorded. But special
reference must be brought back to mind about some feats of his against
visiting teams.
In 1961 Richie Benaud brought to Sri Lanka his Australian Test team
on their way to England for the Ashes Series. He had in his side Lindsay
Kline, an unorthodox left-arm spinner who was thought a match-winning
factor in the UK. In the one-day game at Colombo, Gunasekera treated him
with an exhilarating flurry of fours and sixes direct to the
sight-screen to the tune of 26 runs in one over.
His crowning glory, however, came in the match MCC vs. a Combined Sri
Lanka (Ceylon), Australia, India team. Included in the Combined team
were Keith Miller, Neil Harvey and Graeme Hole. The latter duo were out
early, but Miller and Gunasekera came together in a huge partnership
each recording an identical score of 137! Together they scored over 250,
going neck and neck. Gunasekera got to his hundred with a huge six over
long off. Miller followed suit with an identical stroke. There was no
hint of rivalry between the two but there was established there a
comradeship which endured till death parted them.
Miller excelled in the cut and the drive: Gunasekera drove as hard
and as often, but occasionally pulled to mid-wicket. It was absorbing,
exhilarating batsmanship designed to please the eye and cause the heart
to race.
It is also on record that Gunasekera on another occasion meted out
like treatment to MCC bowler Illingworth and Titmus who were in Dexter's
team in 1962. Gunasekera thrashed both bowlers over the sight screen to
the tune of 28 runs in two overs! This prompted Dexter to invite
Gunasekera to join his team and play in England!
No man in our reckoning earned such fame with honest toil, and few
have afforded such immense pleasure to all. If Trumper was the Hawk,
Bradman the aeroplane, then Gunasekera was the Bomber.
It has been written that no man has driven a cricket ball so hard and
so far and so often, in so many different directions. His blend of foot
and eye and judgment, his timing and his daring made him the most
dangerous batsman. He pervaded a cricket pitch. When you bowled to him
you hadn't enough fielders or grounds large enough to contain him.
It was a privilege to have shared the same field and dressing room
with him; with someone who could be as big as the game!
If I had to choose the "Famous Five" of Sri Lanka cricket, perhaps
they would be D. L. de Saram, S. S. Jayawickrema, F. C. de Saram, M.
Sathasivam and C. I. Gunasekera! Perhaps M. K. Albert would make it six.
We brought nothing into this world. It is certain we carry nothing
out! But it is good to know that Ievers Gunasekera has left memories
that will never be forgotten!
God be with you, Ievers; old friend. We'll meet again some day!
May the turf lie lightly over you.
"Whatsoever things are true;
Whatsoever things are honest;
Whatsoever things are just;
Whatsoever things are pure;
Whatsoever things are lovely,
and of good report;
Think of these things!" |
