FROM MEMORIES STORE BY D.W. GUNAWARDENA
The Match against Royal In 1928 was to be my
last in the series. Though I had given an impressive display with
the bat in the term matches in the previous year when we beat them,
I had given one leg bye in the first innings despite Selvadurai's
fast bowling against which I stood close behind the wicket to prove
to "snow ball". Chippy Gunasekera's brother who reported in the
'Who's Who' of the match that the Thomian wicket-keeper was fast
becoming a 'long-byes' that I was not, after all, such a weakling. I
had made up my mind to strive for a century. I had some taste of it
in Club matches as I had displayed patience and careful watching
both of which made the coach promote me as opener in the batting in
inter-collegiate cricket. Despite good instructions I failed to make
good In the first innings.
On the second day strolling about before
leaving for the match we espied a touring car— It belonged to L. P.
Fernando— which, Dudley suggested, we go for a drive in. A few team
members joined in, and we were soon on our way towards Dehiwela with
Dudley at the wheel. Near the cemetery the canvas hood sailed back
leaving its moorings and one of the iron ribs fell heavily on my
left hand that rested on the rear door. 1 went off into a faint. In
a jiffy we were on our way back to Miller House my abode. I was in
great pain whilst friends helped to give me a rub down with some
Zam-Buk discovered in "Doctor's" cupboard. Everybody concerned was
to keep silent while I was to devise an excuse for the misfortune
which finally led to Dudley paying the penalty by having to take my
place behind the wicket.
An egg beaten with a glass of brandy from the
Mt. Lavinia Hotel nearby and an apple comprised lunch for me.
Team members and Mr. Cooke, cricket coach
awaited me in the bus ready to leave for the SSC grounds. I walked
up and gave the excuse that the blowing caused the door of my room
to slam on my hand as I held the door-post. At that moment 1
commanded sympathy. Deep consternation fell from the faces of my
fellow members. My offer to follow in Mr. Doyne Gunatilleke's car
was readily accepted. At the Sick Room I asked for a sling and the
matron helped me with one. In order to cheer me up she introduced me
to her daughter. Poor consolation! I was still in great pain.
Mr. Doyne Gunatilleke, then one of the boarding
masters, drove me to the General Hospital where a dressing was given
with a lump of cotton wool soaked in Goulard's lotion. A bandage
kept it in place.
At the SSC grounds N. Kandiah the Royal Captain
oozing with sympathy, offered to give a reserve though against the
rules. I had not been injured in the match— this was politely
refused. Crest-fallen, Dudley was seen walking in with gloves and
pads on. He seemed to have accepted the punishment with an air of
responsibility. I was third man and long-byes alternatively. My
thoughts were about the hopes of making a big contribution in
batting which had now been dashed to the ground.
My next plan was to find an excuse to leave the
ground to enable a reserve to take my place. I soon achieved this
before any further blame can come from a catch missed attempted with
only my right hand. Bending down to stop a fast one that had left
Dudley standing I allowed a finger of my right hand to come between
the ball and the toe of my foot. That did it. Blood spurted out of
the tip of my finger. Holding my finger as though in great pain, I
walked towards the Captain. Kandiah swiftly came on the the scene
and our side had the opportunity to send in the 1st reserve, Lionel
Gooneratne who came in to have a taste of his first appearance in
the Royal match.
Kandiah escorted me to the SSC pavilion where
several old Royalists sportingly sent me a few glasses of brandy,
some ostensibly to dip my damaged finger in while the other, I
guessed, intended that I take a gulp to ease any pain. I satisfied
both myself and them. Meanwhile, Dudley had missed a few catches and
also failed to stop several fast deliveries. All of this did not
matter much. It wasn't whether we won or lost but how we played the
game.
The match progressed. Batsmen and bowlers each
did his best. My misfortune had soon been forgotten but our side was
anxious that Royal should be helped to win the match. We had won the
previous year. We batted last but Royal, having failed to get our
men out, were offered fifteen minutes beyond the scheduled time. I
stood ready with bat at the entrance to the pavilion ready to walk
in to save time for Royal, to no purpose. The match ended in a draw.
Everybody kept the secret of my unfortunate
accident till years later when Dudley himself decided to let it out
seeing me at the dinner given in his honour at the Galle Face Hotel,
on his being elected to the position of Prime Minister for the first
time.
D. W
GUNAWARDENA
