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| Sunday,13 November 2005 |
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Tissa de Soysa - a fine batsman produced by St. Joseph's by Penrose Fernandopulle, Former St. Joseph's College Crickter Cricket historian, the late Harold de Andrado, has written many articles on Josephian cricketing personalities in the calibre of Hector Perera (Snr), Fred Pereira, Hugh Perumal, Fairlie Dalpethado and Hubert Bagot to name a few, but had overlooked Tissa de Soysa. Tissa's performance in 1960 surpasses all mentioned above and none todate has equalled his feat. His was a familiar name, specially among the Josephian schoolboys of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Tissa was a prodigy of one of the finest all-rounders of St. Joseph's and Sri Lanka, G. M. Spittel, who was the coach of the senior team (Under-20). As a 14-year-old, Tissa, represented St. Joseph's and in the first two seasons had moderate success, but in his final year (1960), deprived of the captaincy to a much junior player, he was not dejected, but motivated to reach great heights and allowed his bat to speak. His feats of that season is worthwhile recalling. St. Joseph's played only seven matches against St. Benedict's, Royal, Wesley, S. Thomas', St. Anthony's, Trinity and St. Peter's. Tissa's scores were four 50's, a 46 and two centuries against Royal and S. Thomas', which no other batsman has achieved in the annals of Josephian cricket upto date. He had a staggering Don Bradman like average (94.6) at the end of the season. The season culminated with the schools zonal matches where Colombo North qualified to meet Jaffna Schools (who had beaten the much fancied Central Province at the Jaffna College grounds). The Jaffna spectators thronged the ground with much expectations of a Jaffna School's victory. It was not to be. They were treated to a masterful display of batsmanship by Tissa who hit 160. Thereafter, Tissa, was selected to play for the Daily Miror XI alongside West Indian great like Sir Garfield Sobers, Rohan Kanhai, Condrad Hunte, Wesley Hall and Chester Watson against the Sri Lanka Board XI at the Oval. Unfortunately, Tissa's short illustrious cricket career came to an abrupt end with him perusing an academic career. Tissa was also an outstanding athlete, who captained the college team in 1959 that won the Tarbat and Jefferson trophies at the Public Schools Athletic Championships. Tissa won the 100 yards sprint beating the favourite of the Royal team. This is my tribute to the finest schoolboy batsman produced by St. Joseph's, so that his feats will not go into oblivion in the history of his alma mater. |
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