THE 1913 MATCH BY JACKSON SMITH
There was a certain incident in connection
with my chances of playing in the Thomian team that occurred in
the playing field at S. Thomas' College then at Mutwal, which
very nearly prevented me from doing so. While at practice, when
it was my turn to bat, George de Saram (Captain) was bowling. As
I reached the crease he said "What's the bet I'll take your
wicket in 6 balls." I said "Try George" and batted. He bowled
and the 6th one was a very fast full toss which I tried to turn
to leg. The ball glanced off the edge of my bat and caught me on
my left temple. I fell and did not know a thing till 2 a.m. the
next morning when I opened my eyes and said something. There was
George seated by my bed in the Sick Room, with special
permission. He said, "Thank God -Jack, I thought I killed you"
and rushed to the Matron next door and got things going. Every
one, Warden W. A. Stone included, thought I would not be fit to
play in the Match. However, I managed to do so.
On the great day of the match the team always
had lunch with the Warden. We had to file past him and he looked at
each from head to foot to check whether we were properly turned out.
We had to wear cream cricketing flannel trousers, white socks, white
boots, white shirts and our caps or Terrai hats.
In those good old days we used to go to the
Match in hired carriages (horse and trap) obtained from Pate & Co.,
or from Wallaces. We as youngsters reveled in those trips. There
were practically no cars or extremely few if any.
At the Match another incident occurred. When I
went in to bat Dick (R. de Saram) who was bowling-(we were friends
in Training College and used to play in Victoria Park, where the
Municipality building stands now, bowling at the famous Douglas de
Saram, E. R. de Saram and others challenging them to hit us for "Sixers")
said "Jack, what's the bet I'll bowl you out." I promptly said "I
bet you wont" and he didn't. That was the spirit we played in. Well,
I happened to be the second highest scorer and was getting 'well
set' when I fell with a bad cramp in my right lag calf and was
unable to continue. The Royal Captain, R. Perera allowed me to go to
our tent and a Doctor massaged my leg. Incidentally, Medical
students, from their tent, rushed up and tried to pour Whisky into
my mouth from a bottle! I remember raising my bat to beat them off!
I was allowed to come back and bat after some wickets fell but
facing the second ball the cramp came on again and I could not get
my leg inside the crease and was stumped.
We lost the match by 105 runs. The Royal team
did very well. Dick (R. de Saram) bowled very well especially in the
second innings taking 6 wickets for 23 runs.
I believe I am the only survivor of the 1913
team for S. Thomas'. I still treasure my Blazer and Cap.
JACKSON SMITH
