DREAM A REALITY
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.)
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