UNFORGETTABLE
1997
(By Bhathiya Karunaratne)
As my eyes lifted off the tiny red
ball rolling across the greens, and slowly up to the stands, I was
momentarily startled. For a second, the only sound in the world was the
roaring in my head. Then, in the blink of an eyelid, I heard them - the
firecrackers, the smoke bombs, the screaming - the joyous sounds of victory
- and saw the most unforgettable sight I was ever to experience in my life.
Thomians, young and old, past and present, were spilling across the grounds
in a sea of black and blue. Realization struck me seconds before I was
lifted off my feet by ecstatic Thomians. The final stroke of my bat, over
the heads of bewildered rival fielders, had brought my team to a stunning
victory. After ten long years, we had finally won.
Looking back at those golden years
in College, I see a little sun-browned brat aged 11, in dirty white shorts,
carrying home a cricket bag reaching from shoulder to foot. My first
encounter with college cricket was on acceptance of an unexpected invitation
from a classmate to join him in practices for under-13 squad selections.
Already a member of the U-12 Tennis team and an active swimmer in College,
it was a pleasant surprise for me when the cricket coach, Mr Bulankulame,
requested me to continue practising and later, selected me for the U-13
College cricket team. I'm still grateful to him, who taught me the ABC's of
the gentlemen's game.
My consistent performances in
cricket paved the way to the captaincy of the U-13 team, and later in the
U-15 and U-17 teams as well. Happy memories of my early cricket years are
many. Special mention should be given to winning the Astra Margarine Trophy
(U-17) for the very first time in the history of STC.
Most probably, the ultimate dream
of any junior cricketer at STC would be to represent the alma mater at a
Royal - Thomian cricket encounter. Hard work, dedication and commitment to
my cause, made this dream a reality for me in the midst of many obstacles.
My place in the 116 Battle of the Blues, which was my first encounter, was
not easily assured. Being the only player of the side to have played in the
Mini Battle (Big Match of the 2nd XI teams) where I was firmly
told to score a 100 in order to secure a place in the 1st
XI-team, my initial entry in to the prestigious Royal-Thomian encounter was
a truly memorable event for me. I remember with appreciation, Mr Dinesh
Kumarasinghe (2nd XI coach), who sincerely encouraged me to
follow my dream, even when my chances seemed bleak.
1997, my third year in the 1st
XI team, was the highlight of my College cricket career. In both the
previous years of 1996 and 1995, we were unable to record a victory against
the Royalists. The pressure was mounting for us to deliver a long awaited
Thomian victory under the captaincy of Nilanka Peiris. Expectations were
escalating due to our good performances during the season, although we did
not win many matches, and due to us being a balanced team with a good
history together, thus being high in understanding. All this added to the
excitement and determination among the players to perform outstandingly.
Gruelling practises increased our performance levels as well as our morale.
In a two-week camp held at the College hostel, we devised our strategy for
the match individually as well as a team on a magi board. The Warden, Mr
Neville de Alwis, was as usual very excited about our chances, and provided
us with much needed encouragement.
I personally, was eager, excited
and slightly nervous about my performance during the match. Being a player
who scored very close to 1000 runs during the season, as well as had
international exposure with the visiting Indian cricket team, expectations
were high on my side for a big score.
The big day dawned clear and
bright, and the air was thick with the usual excitement and anticipation at
a Royal-Thomian when we arrived at the SSC. We could see the crowd arriving
at the grounds, with many a young and old Thomian proudly waving our flags.
Nilanka won the toss and elected to bat. We knew that we had to hoist a big
score in the short time available if we were to sight a victory.
Upeka and Umesh got us off to a
decent start, but unfortunately, Umesh got out at 14, with the total score
at 20. That was my call -1 was the one-drop bat. As I walked down the stairs
and in to the passage with many conflicting thoughts running through my
mind, I looked and saw my parents sitting on the parent-teachers' block. I
could sense their nervous anticipation, and as always, I felt a great sense
of encouragement and inspiration. Looking up at the sky when I stepped past
the boundary line and in to the playing field, one clear goal formed in my
mind - I was determined to live up to the expectation of the people who were
counting on me. I was determined to score.
The rival fielders were in their element as I took my guard - their tails
were up after the early wicket of Umesh. I looked around the field and was
getting ready to face the very first ball from Anuka Samarakkody, a very
good medium pacer, if not the best, on the Royal side. Courtesy of a
Royalist somewhere behind me, one of those tried & tested quotes of
encouragement for a new batsmen from rivals landed on my ears, " this bugger
won't last." My eyes narrowed in steely concentration as Anuka ran up. The
ball hit squarely in the middle of my bat, resulting in a drive on the 'On'
side. Two similar deliveries followed my first 2 runs. On the other side of
the wicket, Upeka was playing his usual aggressive game. A steady flow of
runs from him helped me settle down as did the first few balls that hit the
middle of my bat.
We settled in comfortably to the
game and continued till lunch time, when I was in the 40's and Upeka had
just passed his 50. The Royal bowlers weren't worrying us too much. Except
for one or two of them, the Royalists missed out a good chance to exploit
the morning conditions. Upeka got out after lunch having scored a brisk 60
in his usual style. That was when Nilanka joined me in what would soon prove
to be one of the best partnerships for that wicket in the history of the
Royal-Thomian.
Nilanka and I had been great
friends since our small days, and we had played together right throughout
our junior and senior cricket careers in college. Our friendship off the
field had a good influence on our understanding once on the pitch, and we
had no trouble settling into an excellent partnership, once he joined me on
the opposite side.
SSC wickets were my good luck
charms; always getting me much needed runs at the right time. They proved to
be on our side again as Nilanka and I launched massive attacks on every weak
delivery directed our way by the Royalists. Even the not-so-weak balls met
the wrath of our bats resulting in many exhilarating shots. I reached my
second fifty at a Royal Thomian with a cover drive that rolled undisturbed
past the boundary. Seconds later, the ecstatic spectators were on their
feet, and rushing in to the grounds. I was patted on the back, and both my
hands were shaken by hundreds of supporters. I felt free and relaxed as we
continued the game, and runs were coming more swiftly and surely.
Nilanka and I were truly enjoying
thrashing our friends, the wind-beaten Royalists. So much so that it was a
sudden surprise to realise that I had reached the nerve-racking nineties!
Suddenly, the whole atmosphere changed around me, as I knew that I was
almost within reach of the three magical figures. I kept telling myself with
my fingers tightening around the handle of my bat, that I could not, simply
could NOT mess it up now. Easy does it boy...singles to the 100...my head
kept chanting. I was at 95, as I looked up at Harith Rajakaruna wiping the
ball on his now-browned trousers. I took a deep breath and got ready to
touch my bat to the ball for a safe single. But as I saw the left arm leg
spinner just about to deliver the ball, I found myself leaving the safety of
my crease and going down the track. Before I realised that I was doing the
one thing that I told myself not to do till I reached my 100, Harith's low
full toss received a mighty heave from my ever-faithful bat.
My eyes roamed the skies to follow
the ball sailing across the skies, and right in to the Royal boys tent!! Oh,
the great irony of cricket! More than anything I was thrilled to realise
that I had given them straight in their faces and made them shut up for a
while! The umpire raised his hands in the proud signal of a six, as the
stands erupted. I could not believe it - I had actually scored a century at
a Royal Thomian! A life long dream had come true in the most wonderful
manner. I took off my hat and raised my bat towards the dressing room to
acknowledge the applause from the rest of my team-mates. I tried to locate
my parents, the two people who I knew would be the happiest on earth for me,
but failed in the rush, as the crowd enveloped me in joyful embraces. I
turned to the Thomian boys' tent and successively all round the stadium,
knowing that I had made a landmark in my cricket career. Something I was
proud to find out later was that my century was reached in just 101
deliveries, making it a record for the fastest century with respect to the
number of deliveries faced, which still stands unbroken.
The marathon partnership between
myself and Nilanka of 136 runs ended when I got out for 116. This was yet
another record emerging from the historical 118th Battle of the
Blues, for the best partnership with regard to the 3rd wicket by
Thomians. Nilanka was joined by Romesh Femando and he went on to score his
century, getting out for 108. We declared at 320 for 5 wickets, making it
the fastest scoring rate of 5.24, EVER, at the Royal Thomian for a team
scoring more than 300 runs.
We had jumped one major hurdle
towards our vision of victory in getting a good score on the board. However,
we were aware of the need to also put on a good show on the field. We did
this convincingly by getting six quick wickets. Amila and Naren made the
early breakthroughs, with Roshan Mapatuna, the off spinner, taking a
blindingly fast hat trick - the first in over 50 years - for the wickets of
Lasantha Liyanage, Shanaka Perera, and the much talked about bat Kavinda
Nanayakkara, who, despite rave reviews, succumbed to the pressure of the
Hat-trick ball. None of us realised the magnitude of what had just happened.
I, personally, was shocked when it hit me. It was a wonderful achievement by
Roshan, and suddenly the score was 71 for 6.
We came back to College tired but
somewhat relieved after a successful 1st day at the SSC.
Following an early dinner from the hostel, came the strategic planning
session for the next day. We knew that if a batsman decides to hold on to
one end, he could very well do it as the wicket was becoming drier and more
conducive for batting. We had two plans, A & B, when we arrived the next
morning at the grounds.
The Royal-Thomian was not only
about playing cricket, even for us! We dressed in identical tracksuits with
the St Thomas' logo on them (donated to us by some kind person) and, as
usual, did a stretching session on the grounds before the match. This was
meant not only to get rid of the stiffness of the body, but also of the
mind, as we received generous applause from early spectators, who we
secretly hoped, were of the fairer sex, and better still, known to us!
As expected we had a long morning,
during which the Royalists managed to add a partnership of around 50 runs.
We got the first breakthrough just before lunch, by getting rid of Anuka
Samarakkody, who batted well for his 37 runs. As play commenced after lunch,
the collapse of the Royal batsmen began. We wrapped up the Royal 1st
innings for 157 runs, mainly thanks to Roshan Mapatuna's six-wicket
haul.
Nilanka requested the Royalists to
follow on, and we retreated to the dressing room, glad to be out of the
scalding sun for even a few minutes. The heat was unbearable at this hour,
and I was an exhausted wicket keeper. After a long innings the previous day,
keeping for two Royal innings continuously was not an easy task. I was also
aware that I had to concentrate very hard to give my fullest co-operation to
the bowlers, who were literally bowling their hearts out. My resolve was
strengthened by the encouragement given to my teammates and me by our coach
Mr Nihal Kodituwakku, Mr Kumar Boralassa and Mr Mahinda Halangoda.
Amidst the roaring drums and the cheering supporters, we walked back to the
field for the Royal 2nd innings. Amila made a great break in the
1st over, during which he got Janaka Gajanayake out for a duck.
The drums got even louder, and our spirits and hopes rose as the game
continued. After getting Jehan Mubarak out for another low score, the
Royalists cleaned up their act to start decent (but irritating)
partnerships. We had to work to get their wickets, and finally managed get
only 3 wickets of their second innings at the end of the day. Looking back,
we had taken just six wickets for the entire day, and we were an absolutely
tired team. We all had a good swim to cool ourselves down back at College,
knowing that we had to take six wickets tomorrow to achieve the
unforgettable.
The stands were packed to capacity
on that decisive Saturday, in anticipation of a Thomian victory. We knew
that there was a lot of support behind us, and it made us determined to get
what we came this far for. We used all our seamers to exploit whatever
possible from the morning wicket, but it took us a while to make a break.
Finally, a Naren Ratwatte delivery got through the Royal defences. Lasantha
Liyanage was successfully holding on to one end, with all the Royalists,
especially Shanaka Perera, supporting him with good partnerships unlike in
the previous innings. They had surpassed our score of 340 by tea, and we
were yet to get them out to get on to the wicket for our 2nd
innings. By then we had tried all our startegies. Suddenly it wasn't as easy
as seemed before - the pressure was mounting on our end, and we had to sit
up and take notice. All the seniors got together in the middle of the field
after tea to make some quick-fix decisions. I could feel the pressure
bearing down on every player in the team. It was a relief when we finally
got them all out for 268 runs (120 overs, 550 minutes). We had to get 86
runs in 22 overs if we were to win.
I did not have much time to relax
after Upeka and Umesh walked out on to the field. Upeka got out for 9 runs
when the score was 25, and I joined Umesh, who got out for a score of 15
soon after. The score was now 37, and we had another 48 runs to get. Light
was fading around the stadium as Romesh and I steadily reached our target. I
could sense the impatient feelings of the crowd. They were gathering around
the barriers, ready to sprint in to the field at any moment. We were now at
the final two runs. We knew that in a sense, we had already won. The
excitement hanging in the air in the last few minutes was almost unbearable.
The Royalists gathered around us in a tight circle as Harith Rajakaruna ran
up to bowl what was to be the final fateful ball of the match. I was aware
of nothing but striking the ball that was spinning my way, as I took a step
down the track, and lifted it over the extra covers.
I recall with appreciation and
much gratitude, the constant support rendered by my loving mother and
father, who I affectionately fathom as the people who introduced me to
cricket, by throwing the plastic ball to my little bat when I was a tiny
tot. A special appreciation should also be extended to Past Warden, Mr
Neville de Alwis, Mr Nihal Kodituwakku, Mr Rohana Ekanayake, Mr Dinesh
Kumarasinghe, Mr Kumar Boralassa and numerous others, who helped me and my
team-mates to soar to great heights in cricket. They helped us make this
wonderful achievement a truly unforgettable one in our minds as well as all
those who always rejoice in a Thomian victory.
Esto Perpetua !
