Standing ovation for Sanath Jayasuriya at the Oval

Sri Lanka's 'Matara Mauler' or the' 'Master Blaster' Sanath Jayasuriya has been one of the greatest cricketers in the world in this century. And so it was that in his final game at the Kennington Oval in London the crowd rose to their feet to doff their caps and clap their hands to honour this great player as he walked back to the pavilion in his final game. That Jayasuriya got out cheaply did not matter to this bipartisan audience. To them here was a cricketer and a gentleman who had illumined the game globally and etched his mark not only in the record books of Wisden but in the hearts and minds of the global cricketing public.

Playing in the final game at the Kennington Oval in London, before hanging up his boots after nearly 22 years of willow wielding, where he broke and set up new records, the dashing left hander could only make two runs though.

He received a loud ovation when he walked out to open the Sri Lankan innings with his skipper Tillekerane Dilshan. Going for his famous square cut he timed and let fly only to have the mortification of seeing Eoin Morgan cling on to a great catch at point.

When Jayasuriya was in his peak, the square cut not only brought him loads of runs, but the red cherry was seen flying over the point fence for six like a rocket, much to the amazement of the bowler and the opposing fielders who could only watch stupefied.

When in full cry

But sadly it was this very shot that called finis to his career, that when in full cry, had players and spectators spell bound with his magic with the willow. Strong of build with wrists and forearms of steel, he just bludgeoned bowlers at will.

When Tim Bresnan bowled a delivery and Morgan took the catch, all Jayasuriya's supporters on the ground and whichever part of the world they may have been watching the action unfold on TV or Radio would have regretted that the bowler and the fielder brought to an end the innings of one of the best.

The manner in which the England fielders embraced Morgan and patted Bresnan showed the regard and the respect they have for Jayasuriya because had he settled down, he would have put them to the sword and taken Sri Lanka to victory.

When he was out oohs and aahs were heard and on leaving the field, slow hand clapping that began reached a crescendo and the Kennington Oval stood up to give this legend of our times a fitting farewell that he will always remember.

Eyes moist

His eyes would have been moist as he waved his bat to all on the ground till he reached the dressing room to be greeted by all his team mates. A banner held aloft by a Jayasuriya supporter 'GOOD BYE LEGEND' told it all.

I have followed his career from the time he served notice as a teenager after leaving St. Servatius College, Matara and when he toured Pakistan and made two double hundreds with the Sri Lanka 'A' team.

I have also been on tour with him to almost all Test playing countries and can vouch for the fact, that he strode the field like a colossus, with great aplomb and respect and played this time honored game the way it should be played. He played it straight and played it clean.

It is said that when the great scorer comes to write against your name, he will write that it was not the winning or the losing that mattered, but how you played the game. And if the scorer was to put this question to Sanath Teran Jayasuriya the answer would be - 'I PLAYED THE GAME' and like in the words of that perennial sung by Frank Sinatra - 'I DID IT MY WAY'. And indeed there were less than a handful who could do it Sanath's way !

So Sanath, thank you for the cricketing music you produced with bat and ball that resonated and echoed to the far corners of the fields that played the great game the world over. We doff our cap to you. You have done Sri Lanka proud than none other in this game.

Gwen Herat happiest

The happiest lady in the cricket world must surely be Gwen Herat. That is because it was she who led the campaign to have the 14 team format remain in the World Cup when moves were being made to reduce the teams for the 2015 World Cup to be played in Australia and New Zealand. When the International Cricket Council was toying with the idea of reducing the teams, Gwen stood tall and asked the ICC to see reason and not kill the game that is continuing to grow. Gwen must now be happy that the ICC has seen sense and decided to stay with the old format. Had the ICC reduced teams, Netherlands and Ireland would have definitely been out and it would certainly have not helped with the progress and development of the game.

Incidentally Gwen Herat has been a great cricket enthusiast, authored many books on the game, served on the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket, formed the Sri Lanka Women's Cricket Association, and women's cricket is what it is today, thank to the initiative and hard work put in by Gwen Herat. Well done Gwen. More strength to your elbow.

CH needs another Kishin Butani

It was nice catching up with rugby news back in Sri Lanka and to know that the CH and FC one time undisputed champions looking to get foreign players to bolster their rugby fortunes that have dropped in recent times.

When talking of CH add foreign players, the name that immediately comes to mind is that of Kishin Butani. It was Butani who got down the best of rugby talent from Fiji and made waves in the club's rugby. He churned out champion after champion teams at the CH and during his tenure,CH rugby was the envy of other teams. His first prized catch was Apsi Nagata from Fiji. With his help he flew down more talent and what he did with coach Tony Amit and Secretary Hassen Singhawansa for the club, is history now.

Struggling

But it was sad when he had to leave the club and since then, the club has been struggling. He even provided jobs for the ruggerites in his Export Firm. If CH is to reach the dizzy heights it reached during Butani's reign, then it requires that men of similar standing and ability, able to produce champions be found On leaving CH, he joined that great ruggerite and rugby promoter Malik Samarawickrema and with coach Nimal Leuke did wonders for Kandy rugby, helping to churn out champion after champion teams which Kandy still do.

[email protected]