'D.S.' - best leg-spinner Sri Lanka produced

By Leslie FERNANDO

CRICKET: Dandeniya Somachandra de Silva, popularly known as 'D.S.', former Sri Lanka, Prince of Wales, Moratuwa SC, C.M.C. and Nomads cricketer was undoubtedly the last leg-spinner that Sri Lanka produced.

D.S. dominated the Sri Lanka cricket scene from 1970's to 1985. Although he began his illustrious career as a fine allrounder, he became a champion in spin bowling. In cricket, they say form is temporary, but class is permanent. 'D.S.' was ranked a top leg-spinner. For him the first priority in the game of cricket was performance and discipline. In view of his personal qualities and tremendous ability in the game of cricket, he could be classified as a cricketer-cum-individual far excellence.

Initially, I came to know 'D.S.' when he joined the Colombo Municipality as a Playground Instructor. D.S. de Silva was a gutty faster on the field. His main motive was to put the team before self.

'D.S.' was influenced to take upto cricket by his brother D. Hemachandra de Silva (D.H.) D. Premachandra de Silva (D.P.), both represented the country at cricket and D. Gunachandra de Silva (D.G.) played club cricket.

It should be noted that all four brothers D.H. (Captain), D.P., D.G. and 'D.S.' played for champion Nomads side - it was similiar to four Amendra brother playing for Galle C.C. in Donavan Andree Trophy Tournament.

Fine Fielder

'D.S.' played for Prince of Wales under the captaincy of late Winston George Fernando were known as 'W.G.' a former Observer Outstation Schoolboy Cricketer award winner. While 'D.S.' was playing for P.O.W, he was invited to play for Moratuwa S.C.

From his schooldays, 'D.S.' was a fine fielder-fielding was his forte, he loved fielding and was talented. It was closely associated with 'D.S.' and can vouch for the keeness on his fielding. During afternoon at CMC grands, he used to run around the boundry area and pick up the ball clearly and returned it to Majeed (the ground boy) who is to act as a wicketkeeper. He also practised holding 100 catches on the slip board. So he was a smart fielder in any position.

After joinings CMC, 'D.S.' excelled first as a batsman. In the Government Services matches he used to make three-figure scores. He then established himself as an allrounder for Nomads SC captained by his elder brother 'D.H.'. When 'D.S.' was playing for Nomads, that famous Sri Lanka and Leicestershire Professional, Stanley Jayasinghe joined Nomads. Jayasinghe spotted 'D.S's' talent and asked him to bowl his leg-spin and googlies as much as he can. He followed Stanley's advise and it paid rich dividends. That's how 'D.S.' established himself as a leg-spinner. In the West Indies - Sri Lanka unofficial test in 1970 'D.S' was a thorn among the mighty West Indians and had a haul of 6 for 117 in 35 overs to and went on to have a match bag of 10 for 156. He captured 5 for 40 in 25 overs against the MCC and went on to score a pleasing unbeaten 36 in the Sri Lanka 2nd innings. 'D.S.' has played in three World Cup tourney - 1975, 1979, 1983.

Excelled in England

He excelled as a professional cricketer in England. He played for Middelton, Lincoinshire in the Central Lancashire Leauge and played for the Minor Countries under Don Wilson, the English player. 'D.S.' was preferred to be their 'Pro' for Shropshire, overlooking the West Indian Vanburu Holder.

He was elected as the British Sports Star of the Year 1975. He reached the top and became a master in his own trade, leg-spin bowlings.

He mesmerised many great players. His price wicket was Geott Boycott in a leauge match. Yorkshireman Boycott was clean bowled by 'D.S.'. He claimed 200th first-class wicket when he captured the wicket of Sunil Gavaskar in the inaugural Indo-Sri Lanka Test at Madras.

His first 50 wickets came in 15 matches and in the next 29 matches, he claimed 150 first class wickets.

After 1984-85 World Series competition, 'D.S.' went to Australia. He coached and captained the Northshire, Melbourne Club for 3 years.

Coming back to Sri Lanka from Australia he took up coaching. He won three consecutive premiership titles 1985-1986 and 1987 as coach of Bloomfield CC. He was in-charge of spinners clinic of the BCCSL which was a 'brain-child' of Thilanga Sumathipala when he functioned as the President of the BCCSL. 'D.S.' was also manager cum head coach of the U-19 Sri Lanka World Cup team. He was the cricket manager of SL team for the 1999 World Cup. In 2007-2008, he was in-charge of the SL Youth Cricketers. He was appointed the Presidential Advisor for Cricket in 2008.