Unforgettable incidents that thrill all fans

by A. C. de Silva

CRICKET: The game of cricket is loved by many people the world over. There are many who play the game and with the growing numbers, there are many stories that emerge to keep cricket enthusiasts happy.

The game of cricket has been one of the best British exports to this island.

It has endured many changes and it has stood the time well. Cricket in Sri Lanka commenced somewhere around September 1832 when a Colombo Journal carried an advertisement calling those interested to assemble at a Library located in Pettah so that a meeting could be had with the idea of forming a club. A club known as the Colombo Cricket Club was formed on September 8 in 1932.

So, the game got that early start in Sri Lanka and the first match was when the Colombo Cricket Club (the CCC) made 94 and lost to the 97th Regiment who made 95. That was the beginning and the game caught up interest like wild fire as the years rolled by.

In 1835 the Colombo Academy (now known as Royal College) was founded and according to available statistics the game of cricket was introduced to the school in 1838.

The first inter-school cricket match was between Colombo Academy and S. Thomas; College and this match was played for three days from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day in July 1879. However, there are reports that S. Thomas' College which was located at Mutwal played game against a club known as Small Pass Cricket Club around 1864 in the Pettah area and later S. Thomas' played against Negombo CC and even the Colombo Cricket Club (CCC). It is somewhat clear that S. Thomas' was the first school to play cricket in an organised manner.

So, the game caught interest here in Sri Lanka and many teams started visiting the country. When the MCC team - that's the English side (unless they are playing in a Test they are known as England) played whistle-stop matches in Sri Lanka in the 1930s.

All-Ceylon bowler Hilton Poulier was delighted when he had the prize wicket of the great Duleep Singhe plumb out - leg before wicket, but, the umpire said "Not Out" to the disbelief of the local team.

However, nothing could be done. In the pavilion the crestfallen Poulier asked the umpire about that decision. "Yes, the large crowd has come to see Duleep bat, not you bowl."

This was somewhat reminiscent of what Dr. W. G. Grace, the English batsman told the umpire, "I am not out" and stayed at the wicket and said: "They have come to see me bat, not you give me out."

Dr. W. G. Grace, a fine batsman but somewhat of a poor sportsman was right. To match announcements said: "Entrance 5 shillings. If Dr. Grace plays 10 shillings."

Dr. Grace somewhat unsporty

Dr. Grace was somewhat famous for unsporty acts on the field. Once when he was bowled he stayed at the wicket and told the umpire, "Rather windy day, isn't it?". Again when two fielders converged on a catch off Grace, they heard "Leave it, that's mine," and both stopped on their tracks - that was Dr. Grace's voice.

But there were problems when touring teams played here in those early days. There was England captain Douglas Jardin who was barracked continuously by the local crowds for his unsporting behaviour on the field.

Speaking about Sri Lanka's cricket in those early days, we have had some powerful batsman and some fine bowlers who in those pre-Test days would have adorned any side with their prowess. D. S. Jayasundera was one of our top batsman. On a tour of Malaya in the early 1930s, there was a batsman of Malayan repute but with the arrogance of a bluffer.

He came to the wicket, put his collar up, looked around the field and settled down.

Ceylon's captain Dr. C. H. Gunasekera handed the ball to bowler Jayasundera and told him, "just look after him, Jaya." A snorter from Jayasundera had the middle stump cartwheeling and the despondent batsman dragged his way back to the pavilion.

Then Edward Kelaart was not only a bowler but a good batsman too, so much so that the Maharajah of Vizwanagaram included him in his team along with Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe of England. And Kelaart certainly did Ceylon proud with his all round feats in India.

There was also S. Sargo Jayawickrema one of our powerful hitters and his century on a tour of India evoked praise from one and all. In fact he was garlanded by an Indian admirer which surprised him. Sargo Jayawickrema hit a memorable six off what we now call a bouncer. He stroked the ball over his head and over the fence.

There was also Thomians. (Tamby) Saravanamuttu who was known for his powerful hits to the ropes. He did well in inter-school cricket matches, but, he did not emulate his schoolboy feats in international cricket.

Jack Anderson 290

When Jack Anderson of St. Anthony's College, Katugastota, hit up his record 290 versus S. Thomas' at Campbell Park, Colombo, Thomian captain S. Saravanamuttu was determined that his team will not lose. He played to the spectators call for six and one of his hits for six went over the steeple of All Saints' Church.

He got his century and saved the game. Never was such a spectacle ever seen before or even afterwards.

Then St. Joseph's College, Colombo had a champion batsman in Oswin Wright. He scored over 1,000 runs and took 100 wickets in a season many times. One of his sixes broke a window of Bonjean Hall. St. Joseph's, it is said, kept it unrepaired for a long time to commemorate the powerful hit.

Then there were the Fuards of Wesley College. A. M. Fuard Captained Wesley College, who, however did not make the national side. He was a fine allrounder, but above all, he was a superb fielder.

He was so proficient in fielding that at the Wesley Sports Meet, the Principal staged an exhibition of catching by Fuard, with the batsman hitting the ball from all angles and Fuard held the catches.

Though 'A.M.' did not go up to the national side, he had the satisfaction that one of his sons - Abu play for All-Ceylon as allrounder. Abu also was a national selector.

Then Trinity College had a fine cricketer in Philip Buultjens who captained the team. Besides his cricketing prowess, Philip was also a versatile rugby player too. He was instrumental in breaking up the all European Kandy Sports Club break their colour bar or apartheid rule to include him in both teams as a full member.

In cricket, Philip Buultjens had a memorable cricket match in Matara sure he hit the ball over including several sixes.

It is said that a unruly element in Matara walked up to him and asked him not to hit out (probably the hooligan had placed a bet). Philip asked the unruly guy: "get out or I'll have you sent to Matara jail. The next two balls Buultjens clobbered for sixes - to the Matara jail.

Philip's younger brother Eddie Buultjens, it is said, travelled to Trinity by rickshaw, and the rickshawman swore by Trinity. He told Eddie that he (rickshawman) had a wager that Eddie would score a century that match day.

Eddie got that century and the poor rickshawman was relived.