Last-wicket of Fernandopulle brothers falls

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

CRICKET: The last wicket of the 'Fernandopulle brothers' fell on August 20 with the passing away of Leo Camillus Fernandopulle at his residence in Green Path, Kohuwala.

Camillus was the eighth of the legendry cricketing family of St. Benedict's College, Kotahena.

The nine boys grew up in the Fernandopulle ancestral home, in New Chetty Street, Kotahena, opposite the Mother of Seven Sorrows Mater Dolorosa Church, parish church of the Colombo Chetty community.

Joseph Bernard Nicholas Fernandopulle, better known as Bernard led the way for his eight brothers - Cyril, Telus (TB), Fausta, Quinton (PJ), Anston, Reginald, Camillus and Peter Iraneus.

All of them were excellent wicket keepers and represented the College Cricket teams from 1930 to 1950. Peter, the youngest, captained St. Benedict's cricket teams in 1945 and 46. The Fernandopulle brothers played for their employers at Mercantile tournaments, often facing each other from opposing sides in a spirit of healthy camaraderie.

The Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club teams comprised stalwarts such as Dr. G. Wignaraja (Captain), L.A. Perumal, R. Kumaranayagam, S.S. Perinpanayagam, S. Saravanamuttu, L. Rajanayagam, S. Somasunderam, K.C. Visvanathan, N. Sinnathamby, John Pulle, P. Alexander, Joe Saverimuttupulle, R. Sabanayagam, S. Gunasekeram and K. Balakrishnan.

Nine wicket-keepers representing the College from the same family is a feat par-excellence that would go down in the annals of cricket in the country.

The nine boys did not only bring pride to their Alma Mater but also to the country which produced some of the finest cricketers from the 1920s to the 50s .

Professionalism and perfection were always displayed by the boys who were elegant in batting and behind the stumps. They were always daring to outdo their opponents in the game but never failed to accept defeat with a cheery smile.

The nine boys with a winsome smile had a great passion for cricket and excelled in the art of wicket-keeping, a skill they were happy to impart to anyone who sought their help. Cricket was a popular sport during the time of the 'Benedictine Brothers' with the boys yearning to play for their school.

Cricket came naturally and instinctively to them. From 1926 to 1946, there was a Fernandopulle wicket-keeper duty behind the stumps for St. Benedict's. Nowhere in cricketing history perhaps have nine brothers stood behind the stumps successively as wicket-keepers for their Alma Mater.

St Benedict's College, founded in 1865 and run by the La Sallian Brothers, has an outstanding record, having produced some of the finest gentlemen and sportsmen in the country.