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| Sunday, 12 October 2003 |
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Harold de Andrado - a versatile cricket writer Thomas Harold de Andrado, recovering from a severe heart-attack and living at 71, Alwis Place, Colombo 13, is the oldest living custodian of school cricket history in Sri Lanka. Born on 30th December, 1927, was educated at St. Joseph's College, Colombo and represented the school from the age of eleven and played in all age group teams, though more often than not, as twelfth man in the first eleven. He is still loyal to his school and never fails to write to the papers of the college mates and also of school cricket heroes of the past - his contemporaries. Playing for Richard Pieris, in the Mercantile 'B' division, he scored hundreds against Brooke Bonds and Walker and Greig in 1953-54. He joined the Nondescripts as a schoolboy member in January 1946, and played in the 'B' and 'C' teams in the Donovan Andree and 'Daily News' Trophy matches. At the young age of nine, Harold showed promise as a writer, contributing to the 'Daily News' Junior page, Young Timers page and the Catholic Messenger junior page. Since 1952, he is a freelance journalist and contributed to the Daily News when M. M. Thowfeeq was its Sports Editor, and the Observer. Later he contributed to the Daily Mirror and the Island since its inception in 1981. He also covered Test Matches in India, Australia and England between 1956 and 1972 for the Sunday Observer and Times Group of Sri Lanka. His tour to Australia was sponsored by Keith Miller, the 'Appollo' and 'Naughty Boy' of Australian cricket. There he contributed to the Sydney Sun, Melbourne Herald, Brisbane Courier and the Adelaide Bews. He also wrote to the Daily Express, London. Harold also acted as cricket commentator for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, both on Radio and TV. He was Cricket Correspondent between 1970 and 1980 to the Cricket International of London. He cultivated the close friendship of the late Sir Don Bradman and well-known Australian cricketers and many great West Indian Cricketers. He owes his success as a writer to Revd. Father Justin Perera and J.P. Fonseka, his teachers at St. Joseph's. The latter was a student of the famous English novelist, G. K. Chesterton. He assisted the late Malcolm Spittel and Gerry Woutersz in the coaching of boys of his Alma Mater. His sincere glowing tributes to his collegemates and heroes will long be remembered by cricket lovers. May his pen grow from strength to strength! May he blessed with good health and long life. Gerry Vaidyasekera. |
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