CI's 135 and partnership of 207 with Miller (106) - lasting memories

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

CRICKET: C.I. Gunasekera, a doyen during his time who 'lit-up the cricket field like a mighty colossus, departed from this world recently leaving indelible memories in what he had achieved on the cricket field.

For the record, 'CI' as he was well-known among the cricket fraternity, could have held his own as a batsman and allrounder in any team. In fact many past greats feel had 'CI' played during the Aravinda de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya era, he wouldn't have been second to any. Of course, it is difficult to compare cricketers of different eras of the pre-protective gear, uncovered pitches, and the present with all the equipment to protect one's self on featherbed pitches, batting even against the fastest bowler. 'CI', an extrovert and a gentleman to the literal sense, was technically sound and was such a powerful hitter of the ball with his big frame.

Talking about his heroics on the cricket field, 'CI's name is synonymous with former Australian leg-spinner Lindsay Kline. 'CI' did not even spare the former England captain and off-spinner Ray Illingworth who played here when on tour with the England team on their way to Australia.

One of CI's best Innings was his 135 and with Australian great Keith Miller (106) added 207 runs for the fourth wicket when representing the commonwealth XI against a full fledged MCC team here in February 1952. The MCC was led by Donald Carr and they had arrived from India and Pakistan after losing a Test match each in Madras and Karachi.

The Englishmen were pitted against a strong Commonwealth XI captained by Ceylon's, cricketing 'great' then F.C. de Saram and that team included players of the calibre of Keith Miller, Neil Harvey, Graham Hole (Australia), Imitiaz Ahmed, Fazal Mohmood, (Pakistan), Polly Umrigar and Vinoo Mankad (India).

The Commonwealth XI, winning the toss and batting first amassed 517 with Imitiaz Ahmed (42), Neil Harvey (74), Keith Miller (106) and C.I.Gunasekera (135). MCC were shot out for 103 in the first Innings, and following on were dismissed for 155, giving the Commonwealth XI a win by an Innings and 259 runs.

Keith Miller 3 for 20 and Fazal Mahmood 4 for 46 were the main wicket takers in the first Innings for the Commonwealth XI. Vinoo Mankad bowled best in the second Innings, taking 4 for 68.

The match played on 15th, 16th, 17th February 1952. Venue: Colombo Oval. Captains: Donald Carr (MCC), F.C.de Saram (Commonwealth Combined XI). Wicketkeepers: D.V.Brennan (MCC). Ben Navaratne (Combined XI). Umpires: H. E. W. de Silva and J. K. Murray. Toss: Combined XI won and batted. Result Combined XI won by an Innings and 259 runs.

COMMONWEALTH COMBINED XI 1ST INNINGS:

Vinoo Mankad (India) c Brenan b Ridgeway 24, Imitiaz Ahmed (Pakistan) lbw b Tallersall 42, Neil Harvey (Australia) c and b Ridgeway 74, Keith Miller (Australia) c Carr b Shackelton 106, C. Ivers Gunasekera (Ceylon) c Brennan b Shackleton 135. Graham Hole (Australia) c and b Graveney 27, Polly Umrigar (India) c Brennan b Watkins 0, F.C. de Saram (Ceylon) c Carr b Graveney 43, E. C. Kelaart (Ceylon) c Lawson b Graveney 0, Ben Navaratne (Ceylon) b Graveney 32. Fazal Mahmood (Pakistan) not out 21.

Extras:13

Total:517

FALL OF WICKETS: 52,84,170,377,394,394,427,427,491,517.

BOWLING: F.Ridgeway 31-10-85-2, Derek Shackleton 31-5-111-2.

A. Watkins 25-1-93-1, R. Tattersall 17-2-81-1, Donald Carr 6-0-38-0, J. D. Robertson 2-0-20-0, T. Graveney 13-0-67-4, C. J. Poole 1-0-9-0.

MCC 1ST INNINGS:

J.D. Robertson b Miller 0, F. Lawson c (sub) b Fazal Mahmood 15, T. Graveney c Harvey b Fazal Mahmood O.C.J. Poole c Umrigar b Fazal Mohmood 11, D. Kenyon c Mankad b Miller 0, A. Watkins c Miller b Fazal Mohmood 10. D.B. Carr c Imitiaz b Miller 17, D. Brenan retired ill 4, D. Shackelton st. Navaratne b Mankad 16, F. Ridgeway st Navaratne b Mankad o, R. Tattersall c and b Mankad 9.

Extras: 21

Total: 103.

FALL OF WICKETS: 8,9,29,37,54,57,78,78,103.

BOWLING: Keith Miller 13-9-20-3, Fazal Mahmood 18-6-46-4, Vinoo Mankad 11.4-6-16-2.

MCC 2ND INNINGS:

(Follow on); J.D.Robertson c Mankad b Miller 0. F. Lawson b Miller 28. Tom Graveney c (sub) Bartels b Mankad 48, C.J. Poole c Gunasekera b Fazal Mahamood 0. D. Kenyon c Gunasekera b Kelaart 31. A Watkins c (sub) Bartels b Mankad 29. D. B. Carr c Imitiaz b Mankad 17, D Brennan (ill did not bat). D. Shackelton c Navaratne b Fazal Mohmood 0. F. Ridgeway not out 0. R. Tattersall c and b Mankad 1.

Extras: 1

Total: 155

FALL OF WICKETS: 4, 54, 54, 97, 125, 147, 147, 150, 155.

BOWLING: K. Miller 7-4-4-2, Fazal Mohmood 23-8-48-2, E. Kelaart 10-2-25-1, V. Mankad 25.3-7-69-4, G. Hole 6-2-8-0.