Gerry Gooneratne brought Nalanda cricket right to the top

By Leslie FERNANDO

CRICKET: Remember Gerry Gooneratne, former Sri Lanka, St. Joseph's, Saracens and Aitken Spence cricketer? After his playing days were over, he took to coaching and became one of the foremost cricket coaches and he went to the schools and Nalanda was his the first school that he coached.

Nalanda had to wage a tough fight for survival on the cricket field with the other big colleges Royal, S. Thomas', St. Joseph's and Wesley going great guns in early years. But the Nalandians were willing workers and the boys were very keen. Coach Gerry Gooneratne got the best out of the Nalandians and they hit the top. Gooneratne was a Josephian and he went on to play for Sri Lanka in 1940.

Gerry Gooneratne has been part and parcel of Nalanda cricket. He has been coaching the Nalandians since 1947. Being a coach at one institution for 26 years (1947 to 1973) is a long time and considering the fact he is not a old boy of the college, speaks volumes for enthusiasm and interest that Gerry Gooneratne took in moulding the Nalandians to a champion outfit.

Speaking of cricket at Nalanda, he said that in 1973, the school took great care of the cricketers. He said that each year the school in the early days looked after the cricketers who couldn't afford to play the game.

The school provided the clothing and also a balanced diet so that the young boys can keep up with the game.

He said: "In 1972, I found some boys weak and I ordered vitamin injections for them. This way the boys knew that they are cared for and they gave off their best."

The part played by the coaches cannot be secondary for instance it isn't irony, a former Josephian took over Nalanda, the school began its supply of cricketers to National team."

Gerry Gooneratne stared coaching Nalanda in 1947 and in his first year. Nalanda won the 'Big Match' against Ananda. Nalanda captain was H. Wijesiri.

In that memorable match, Ananda made 92 and 84, Nalanda 158 for 8 dec. and 19 for 1.

For Nalanda, it was their third win in the series which started in 1925. Nalanda also won the 'Big match' in 1949, 1950 and 1953 with Gerry as the coach.

When Gerry Gooneratne left St. Joseph's, he continued to play cricket at club level and for Mercantile Cricket.

He captained the Saracens SC with authority in the Sara Trophy Tournaments.

He had a champion outfit - to name a few of the past cricketers - T. Ismaie, Keerthi Caldera, Chandrasiri Weerasinghe, Dooland Baultjens, Sonny Yatawara, James and Roy Perera, M. Nazimudeen (wicket keeper) N. Athulathmudali, Nihal Amaradasa and Dhanasiri Weerasinghe. A special feature was that Gerry Gooneratne was also the co-ordinator and Coach, mentor of the Rifle Green Club now the Air Force grounds.

In Mercantile Cricket, he played for Aitken Spence in the Mercantile 'A' Division tournaments along with teams like Browns, Walker and Sons, Ceylon Tobacco, Lever Brothers, Harrisons and Crossfield, Frundenbergs, Liptons, Brooke Bond.

Former Trinity cricketer and raggerite Nimal Marachande who later played for NCC, Nihal Amaradasa former Nalanda stylish batsmen were the two key players for Aitken Spence.