 
 It was a rare meeting of three
of the greatest Sri Lanka cricketers who had achieved a rare 'first' in
their cricketing careers.
The 31st Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year awards
ceremony at the BMICH recently paved way for this historic meeting of
the bowler who captured the first Test wicket for Sri Lanka, the batsman
who scored the first Test century for Sri Lanka and the batsman who
scored the first ever Test half century for Sri Lanka.
Incidentally, all three cricketers figured in Sri Lanka's inaugural
Test - against England, way back in 1982 at Sara Stadium, Colombo. But
the first Test century for Sri Lanka was witnessed later in the year
when Sri Lanka toured Pakistan for a three-Test series.
 The honour of capturing the first ever Test wicket for Sri Lanka went
to the current Chairman of Selectors Ashantha de Mel when he had England
opener Jeoff Cook, caught by Lalith Kaluperuma for 11. In addition, the
brisk right-arm bowler with the ability to gain genuine outswing, is
also the first ever Sri Lanka bowler to capture five wickets or more in
an inning - 5 for 68 in the one-off Test against India in 1982.
Playing as a schoolboy in the year he won his second Observer
Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year title, Arjuna Ranatunga scored the first
Test fifty for Sri Lanka - a polished 54 off 96 balls with seven fours
in the inaugural Test against England in 1982. He went on to captain Sri
Lanka's World Champion team in 1996.
The chief guest at the 31st Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of
the Year Mega Show was none other than the batsman who scored the first
ever Test century for Sri Lanka - Sidath Wettimuny.
It was exactly 27 years ago that he scored the first ever Test
century for Sri Lanka, making a magnificent 157 in the second Test
against Pakistan in Faisalabad, in our country's third match since
gaining Test status.
But the most cherished moment of his distinguished career was that
sparkling knock of 190 against England at Lord's in 1984. Wettimuny was
a solid right-hand batsman with a compact technique.
Wettimuny also became the first Sri Lankan to carry his bat through
an innings when he completed the feat against New Zealand at
Christchurch in 1982-83 - he scored an unbeaten 63 out of a meagre total
of 144.
He has represented Sri Lanka in 23 Tests and 35 one day
internationals between 1982 and 1987. He has served as an ICC match
referee and also as the chairman of selectors.
It was nice to see tomorrow's cricketing stars being crowned by the
galaxy of yesteryear stars.
- Dinesh
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