Dr. Buddy G. Reid - A phenomenal sportsman

SPORTING BROTHERS.... The Reid brothers made a very significant contribution in the realm of sports in the country before migrating to Australia in the 1970's.

Dr. Buddy was outstanding and donned the proud mantle of 'Double International' with his consistent and commendable performances at Cricket and Table Tennis, establishing several records on the road to fame. The Reid brothers Claud, Ronnie, Buddy, Bryan (Barney) and Johann (Tiny) represented S. Thomas' College at cricket and etched their names in the proud annals of their alma-mater.

It was a happy coincidence that Buddy played for S. Thomas' in the 1959 "Battle of the Blues' on the day he received the glad tidings of having been selected to enter the Medical Faculty, University of Ceylon.

Dr. Buddy had the distinction of representing S. Thomas' College, University, BRC and Ceylon at cricket in which domain he left an indelible mark with his superlative performances. In his debut in 'Sara' Trophy Cricket (1959/60), Dr. Buddy was awarded the Macan Markar Trophy for the highest score of the season (177) and in the years (1962/64) headed the batting averages.

Dr. Buddy had the highest aggregate in the 67/68 and 68/69 seasons too, embellishing his victory trail in the country's premier tournament when the best clubs vied for the 'Sara' Trophy.

In the international arena Dr. Buddy represented Ceylon during the period 1964 to 1970 against foreign teams led by Mike Smith, Colin Cowdrey & Tony Lewis (England) Bob Simpson & Bill Lawry (Australia) and Imtiaz Ahmed (Pakistan).

In the '68 encounter versus England led by Colin Cowdrey, Dr. Buddy captained Ceylon and with Ranjit Fernando established a record unbroken opening partnership of 121, the highest against any country, which stood its ground for 10 years.

Cricketing brothers

Claud, Ronnie, Dr. Buddy and Barney played for CCA whilst Ronnie and Dr. Buddy represented Ceylon. It is on record that the duo put on an unbroken partnership of 50 in the fixture versus the England team in 1965. In a fitting finale to his cricketing career in Ceylon Dr. Buddy top scored in both innings in the match against the 1970 England team captained by Tony Lewis. Dr. Buddy had the unique honour of captaining University of Ceylon, BRC and Ceylon.

In the country of domicile Dr. Buddy played for Kahlin CC in a tournament at Darwin and emerged the match winner with an unbeaten 200 and a tally of 7 for 27 in a grand final In reminiscing Dr. Buddy ruefully regretted his team Captain's decision to declare their innings oblivious of the fact that the highest score on record in any grade of cricket at Darwin was 214- it was a missed opportunity for Dr. Buddy to enter the record books, an honour he richly merited.

Dr. Buddy, one of the reputed Table Tennis players in the 50's and 60's, displayed his prowess with a remarkable record in Ceylon and Australia which will be hard to surpass.

He was a member of the National team that participated in the All India Championships in 1956, 57 and 59. In the encounter versus an USA team, Dr. Buddy was the sole winner in the singles event and followed up with a victory in the Men's doubles, partnering Nimo Ramchand. Dr. Buddy won the National men's singles title in 1959, 60 and 62, a record to enthuse about.

Invincible record

Dr. Buddy chalked up an invincible record in the Men's Doubles winning the National title on six occasions, partnering former National Champions Nimo Ramchand (1957, 59, 60, 66) Charlie Daniel ('62) and younger brother Barney ('67). In addition, Dr. Buddy stamped his class in the local circuit annexing the National Mixed Doubles in 1967 with former National Women's title holder Srini Lucas.In 1967, he was the team Captain, player, Secretary of the TT Association whilst also performing duties as a Doctor. Dr. Buddy continued to serve the game as Vice President of the controlling body and National coach in 1968.

Dr. Buddy led the Ceylon team in the Peking International Tournament, Asian Games in Bangkok in 1966 and the Asian TT Championships hosted by Singapore in 1967.

In Australia Dr. Buddy, continuing his winning spree outclassed the Country Victoria Champion in 1975 and annexed an inter-club championship teaming up with former National champions Dick Schoorman, Nimo Ramchand and Tennis ace Rupert Ferdinands. In a late comeback during 2006 Dr. Buddy represented Australia in the test match against New Zealand in the over 60's group and continued his success saga as evidenced in winning the championships chronicled herein:

l Australian Nationals: singles and doubles (over 65) and doubles (over 60).

l State of Victoria Championships: singles and doubles (over 60 & 65)

l New Zealand doubles and mixed doubles (over 65) and twice runner-up in the singles.

In a fitting finale to a glittering career Dr. Buddy won the Silver Medal in the World Veterans (over 65) tournament held in Germany in 2006 where over 200 pairs competed.

Achievements

phenomenal

In retrospect, Dr. Buddy's achievements at Cricket and Table Tennis could aptly be described as phenomenal.

l In a year of special significance (1960) Dr. Buddy entered Medical College, scored the highest runs in Sara Trophy cricket and won the National Table Tennis Championship.

l Captained Ceylon at Cricket and Table Tennis

l Represented Ceylon and Australia at Table Tennis

l The mantle of Double International was the crowning glory of this brilliant sportsman.

In the pursuit of his Medical career, Dr. Buddy was also the Medical Officer to the Sri Lankan teams in Sri Lanka and Australia and the World Cup played in 1992 in Australia. He was also the first to medically examine and pass spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan's bowling action as legal.

It would be of interest to mention that despite his busy life style Dr. Buddy is also a talented Singer/Song Writer whose CD rendition of Muralitharan's encounter with Umpire Darrel Hair sold copies and the proceeds were channelled to the Sri Lanka Eye Foundation.

Dr. Buddy and his wife Peace were blessed with a daughter Sonali who holds a Ph.D in molecular biology and son Shawn - a Forensic Psychiatrist in Melbourne, who is currently ranked 396th in the world for the Eppa event in Fencing.

Retired - helps

Medical students

Dr. Buddy who has retired from active practice as a Surgeon, is currently a part time tutor of Medical students at Monash University and a medical examiner for the Workers Compensation Board. However, the Medical Doctor derives immense pleasure in spending his leisure hours with their four grand sons who may well continue the proud legacy of the Reids in the years to unfold.

In a moment of quietude and brief sentimental journey, Dr. Buddy paid a glowing tribute to Peace who died in 2002. - quote "My greatest privilege in life is to be married to such a wonderful person and have such a wonderful family." The sporting Doctor is emphatic on the bonds of family and in the context of her appearing in visions with meaningful messages after her demise, reiterates that Peace whilst enjoying eternal bliss in Heaven is journeying with him in life.

In a CD titled "The Story of Peace" Dr. Buddy in prose and verse pays a musical tribute to the spirit of Faith and indomitable courage evinced by his wife during the final stages of her earthly sojourn battling with cancer.

Dr. Buddy Reid, an unassuming personality whose simple demeanour, sense of camaraderie and exemplary sportsmanship on and off the field has endeared him to a wide coterie of colleagues in the Medical profession friends and sports fans in Sri Lanka, Australia and countries around the world.

Eric Motha