Preparing for
the Pinnacle of a Thomian Cricketers’ carreer
Ask a Thomian the most exciting
month for him in the year and there will be just one answer "March". Not
even a great, in ancient Rome was as passionate as the gathering of the
"Royal Thomian" in March.
I was very happy when the souvenir
editors approached me requesting for an article on the preparations involved
in getting ready to play the big match. My experiences in having represented
this glorious college in the last four years and captaining the side last
year gives me the chance to talk about the dedication, support and the
commitment given by the 1st XI cricket team and the steps taken
by the governing authorities of college to ensure that everything runs
smoothly.
To represent college in cricket
and being awarded college colours is every Thomian cricketers dream, this
dream as in daily life can only be achieved through hard work, commitment
and dedication.
Preparations for the big match
commences six months in advance where the team is pushed through a vigorous
schedule of playing other schools, fitness sessions, mental preparations
thereby compelling every bone, muscle and ligament to be stretched and over
worked.
The squad of last year comprising
of nine coloursmen commence their day by six thirty every morning with a
series of fitness training that usually lasts till eight a.m., thereafter a
quick wash and change is followed by us attending our scheduled classes.(if
you think that is the end of our day think again). The next grueling
practice session commences at two thirty p.m. and usually goes on till seven
p.m. The second part of the training involves the building of our mental
stamina and the fine tuning of the game on concentrating and on formulating
a strategy.
The main criteria to be a good
team player in the Thomian cricket pool is dedication and commitment not
just a 100 % but more like 200 % commitment. College does not leave room for
the cricketers to neglect the studies, therefore excelling with good results
in our school work is criteria to be in the cricket team.
The governing authorities in
College and our Old boys give us every luxury and support to build our
strength and stamina for the big match. At every training session we are
provided with energy drinks, vitamins and milk for nourishment. In addition
to this, our entire play bag is usually sponsored by one or many of our old
boys.
Finally after many months of
anticipation the seven day itch arrives with the commencing of residential
camp. This usually starts with the seniors being sponsored to a
mouthwatering lunch by the freshers. For all of us camp during those seven
days are days filled with. a mixture of feelings. We draw closer as a team
and as brothers with one goal and one ambition, the excitement and
anticipation is thick as we enter the camp.
We start our days of camp by six
thirty and from seven to eight a.m. are heavily involved in a light session
of fitness training. We are treated to a hearty breakfast where the
atmosphere is all about relaxing your mind and body by interacting with each
other through friendly chats. After breakfast, commences the preparation of
perfecting our batting, bowling and fielding(keeping). Usually spending
hours over videos where cricketing heroes of the world such as Sir Garfield
Sobers, Viv Richards, Barry Richards and Sir Richard Hadlee, and try to
apply one or more of these techniques into our game. After many discussions
and videos we try to form a final strategy for the big match. However this
is very difficult as some times we might agree on a strategy and find that
the day before the match we might be successful in dominating, with a
different approach. Each player is compelled to complete thirty minutes of
bat drill regardless of his area of specialty. Our Coach & physio Mr.Dinesh
Kumarasighe & Mr. Fonseka Usually makes us rest for a good 2 hours after
lunch, then its back to practice by 3:00pm this session usually involves
spot bowling, for our bowlers which can lead up to 2 hours while the batsman
encounter the bowling machine to perfect their batting techniques. The night
time approach towards preparing for the grand finale involves the entire
family of players, coaches, physios discussing and planning about the big
match. According to our coach Mr.Dinesh Kumarsinghe the most important
factor about preparing to face ones opponent is keeping to the 5p's that is
that 'PROPER PLANNING PREVENTS POOR PERFOMANCE'.
Finally the day dawns when months
of training and planning will be put in to action, the air is full of
excitement and the pressure begging's to build within each team member, it
doesn't really matter if this match is the 1st or the 3rd
representation for the Royal Thomian every big match is like facing it for
the first time. Once the team actually arrives at the infamous SSC grounds
does the impacts actually hit the team, the decorations, the sound of
cheers, the faces of honoured guests at the opening ceremony sends a chill
through the spines of each player but at the same time comes the training
and encouraging words spoken by our coach about overcoming the pressure at
the grounds.
The best motivation as we enter
the grounds is the swaying of the school flag accompanied by the 'papare'
band & knowing that we are supported and cheered on by present and old boys.
Once we go to the field the only thought that runs through the players mind
is about playing the game to the best of our ability and the honour of
winning this match for our alma mater.
In my year as captain last season
I found that the preparation and care extended to our cricketers in college
is by far the best privilege and advantage to any player in schools and
would like to extend my thanks to our college Warden Dr. David Ponniah, our
coach Mr. Dinesh Kumarasinghe, Mr. N. I. C. Silva, our physio Mr. Fonseka
our Master In Charge Mr. Rohana Ekanayake our Matron Mrs. Ratnam and finally
our ground staff for making the task of playing college cricket most
rewarding and enriching experience in my life thus far. A special thank you
also to our old boy Mr. Kumar Boralassa.
Finally there is only one place
alone where all this excitement takes place and that's at the "Big Match".
So my dear cricketing colleagues may the season bring you the joys of
experiencing another year of the Battle of the Blues and may you give it
your all and let Thomians emerge victorious.
ESTOPERPETUA!!!
ZAKIR KANAKA
