Loads of encouragement for youngsters:

The Show brings out unbelievable talent - Best Bowler (All Island) 1981 Rumesh Ratnayake

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

CRICKET: The name Rumesh Ratnayake will invariably bring back nostalgic memories in the role he played in Sri Lanka’s first ever Test win beating India at the P. Sara Stadium in 1985. On that memorable day in Sri Lanka cricket Ratnayake took a sprawling catch to dismiss Indian captain Kapil Dev off his own bowling, while the Indian captain was struggling to save his side from defeat.

Few knew that Rumesh could also bowl right-arm leg-spin which gave him 49 wickets of his 111 wickets during the 1981 school cricket season which attributed to his success of winning the Best Bowler’s prize at that year’s contest. He represented St. Peter’s from 1977 to 1983 as an aggressive medium pacer.

Ratnayake captured 20 wickets in the three-Test series and was instrumental in beating India in the second Test with a match bag of 9 wickets.

He was also a recipient of an award in the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of The Year Contest (1981), pocketing the Best Bowler (All Island) while at St. Peter’s. His teammate Rohan Buultjens now domiciled in Australia was the Schoolboy Cricketer of the year 1981.

In an era where fewer number of Test matches were played, Ratnayake in his 11-year International career represented the country in 23 Test matches and has taken 73 wickets and in his 70 ODI matches, has bagged 76 wickets.

His best Test performances were (6 for 66) against Australia in Horbart in 1990/91’ and 5 for 69 against England . Right-arm paceman, Rumesh Ratnayake was an unmistakable sight while bowling with his white head band to keep his hair in place and prevent the sweat dripping into his face, could be considered as one of the fast bowlers who instilled uncertainty in the batsmen’s mind with his genuine pace, bounce and the ability to swing the ball either way both in the air and off the pitch.

Ratnayake may be the only fast bowler in the world who made the West Indian captain Clive Lloyd wear a protective helmet while batting despite of the might of the West Indies team which once dominated the cricket world .

Ratnayake talking about the competition, said that although he has not been following the competition closely due to his busy schedule as the Cricket Development Officer, Asia Cricket Council, stressed that it brings back fond school day memories. “The contest brings out unbelievable talent and loads of encouragement for the youngsters. I wish the show to continue for many more generations ,” he said.

He further said that the recognition that the schoolboys get in both All Island and Outstation categories should further enhance them to continue playing to reach the highest level.

He retired in 1993 and was the national fast bowling coach. Ratnayake is a level three certified coach, was appointed as the national coach last year ,presently he is the Development Officer of The Asian Cricket Council since August 2001.