Representing your school in the '"Battle of the Blues" no doubt is a cherished dream of any Royal or Thomian cricketer.
When I came to S. Thomas' in 1970 after representing St. Sebastian's Moratuwa (1967 - 69) I was wondering whether I'll be accepted as a worthy cricketer, although I had scored heavily for St. Sebastian's during my last season.
However I was given a warm welcome not only by the Thomian cricketers but by my Warden and especially coach George Ponniah. This was very important for a youngster who was stepping into a highly reputed school like S. Thomas'.
1970 was a superb first year for me scoring heavily in the schools cricket arena and this success gave me great confidence when I walked into my very first Royal - Thomian battle. But it was a disappointing debut. I failed to live up to expectations being dismissed cheaply in both innings. 1971 my second year, this too was a good season for me with the bat. But when the Royal -Thomian came, I was not so confident as my first year, though determined to fulfill the high hopes and aspirations banked on me by my team and my schoolmates.
With mixed feelings, I walked into bat at the number three after and early Thomian wicket fell. Despite being nervous in the first few overs, I settled down well to push the score along smoothly and guiding my personal contribution too, towards the nervous nineties. My inner instincts prompted me to attack without getting restricted in the nineties, the usual practice of many a willow - wielders when nearing their centuries. This paid rich dividends. Thus I achieved my dream, a century in the "Battle of the Blues".
1972 was a memorable year. As captain of S. Thomas' I had scored 1000 runs before the "Big Match". I called correctly and elected to take the first lease on the placid Oval wicket. This time too 1 was a bit nervous when I strode to the middle to face the Royal music after the fall of an early Thomian wicket. In my usual flamboyant fashion, I inched my way towards my second consecutive century in a Royal - Thomian and reached it with a boundary.
At this point I had my cool not loosing concentration and succeeded in scoring 184 which was my last innings for a school I would love playing for many more years.
Representing the National team, scoring many innings will never match the 184 at the Oval in the "Battle of the Blues" which takes top billing in my cricketing career spanning 21 years (1967-1988).
I thank god for blessing me with talent to reach greater heights as a cricketer. My elder son Niru played up to the U-17 age group in college and left to further his studies abroad. Niru and my daughter Meneka's fervent wish is to see their brother Sanjeev eclipse the father's record as every year I go down memory lane boasting to them about the best innings ever played in all my life.
I sincerely hope my dream will be a reality to see my second son Sanjeev score a century at the "Battle of the Blues", BUT not surpass 184 runs for the simple reason that I'll have to listen to him each year boasting about how he broke my record!
Long Live the Traditions Of S. Thomas'.
ESTO PERPETUA!
Duleep Mendis
(Mr. Duleep Mendis is one of the most accomplished cricketers of recent years. His record of 184 in the Big Match of 1972 remains unbroken to date. He also has the distinction of being one of the two who have scored two consecutive centuries in two consecutive years. His son Sanjeev Mendis is the Vice Captain of the Side this year.)
