SWEET RECOLLECTIONS AND THE SHADOWS BEHIND
THE CURTAIN
"What should I write
about?" was my first question to the editor, when asked to write
an article for this souvenir. I could almost sense that his
reply was going to be the dreaded - "anything you want to write
about"...... and indeed, it was.
In all honesty it took me
at least two hours just to figure out how to begin this article.
Therefore, right from the outset I ask you, the reader, to forgive
me for my shortcomings, and if the next few paragraphs seem to be
going nowhere feel no remorse in skipping over a few pages and
proceeding to far better material.
A Proud Heritage
"The Battle of the Blues"
is undoubtedly the biggest event in the calendars of both S. Thomas'
and Royal. This is an event that has lasted the test of time, and
God-willing, it will continue to do so. Not even for two world wars
has the continuity of this event been disrupted; a distinction which
the world famous Olympic Games or even the "Ashes" series cannot
boast of.
Playing in a big match,
and helping in the organizing of one, are two completely different
issues, and 1 had the fortune to experience both, playing and
organizing, as I was one of the fortunate few to have been the
captain of the cricket team and also the Head Prefect of College.
The four years I played for my Alma Mater, and the following year in
which I was Head Prefect, will always be the best years of my life,
with each year reaching its peak at the big match in March, at the
beautiful SSC Grounds.
Now to move on to the
actual substance of this article. Apart from sharing with you my
experiences of playing for the 1st Eleven, I would also like to
bring to your attention some experiences, efforts and outstanding
personalities, without which the Battle of the Blues would just be
another 'big match'. So I finally decided to put to words a few of
my experiences and memories during these years and also to bring to
your attention some unsung heroes of the Big Match itself.
Unexpected Summons
The first thing that
comes to mind is the year 2000. It was this year that I played my
first big match and it is with the utmost shame that I say that this
was the first big match I ever went to! After being in college for
10 years I had never gone for a single big match! Some good
performances in the 2nd eleven and the failure of some players in
the 1st eleven, kept me in with a chance of playing the big match
that year. But to my disappointment I was not chosen to be among the
Eleven who would attend the residential camp a week before the big
match.
Camp, as we call it,
occurs a week before the big match, where the playing eleven are
given leave from classes and brought to stay together on the top
floor of the junior boarding, thereby allowing them to practice
together and build team spirit and draw up tactics. This was in
early March and I was having exams during this time, and while in
class sitting my mathematics exam, much to my surprise, I saw our
coach Mr. Dinesh Kumarasinghe, and our master in charge Mr. Rohana
Ekanayaka, standing outside my class and speaking to the
invigilator. Then even more surprisingly, I was called out and told
by the coach to go home immediately and get my gear and move into
the camp and get ready to practice at the SSC that evening! Then he
also added (quite nonchalantly) that I would be playing the Big
Match!!
After practicing at SSC I moved into 'the camp' that evening, and to
my horror I found out that I would be spending the night in the dorm
set aside for the coloursmcn! And to top it all off I was stationed
next to our captain, Gihan Femando, who was a tough taskmaster to
say the least. The other freshers were in the adjoining dorm and as
there was no more room, I was put in the coloursmen's dorm. Fear of
the coloursmen is a gut wrenching feeling every fresher has until he
becomes a coloursman himself, as he is at their mercy at all times.
Thus as a 15 year old, fear was overflowing in its abundance from
every part of my being. So this was how it all began for me. From
doing an exam in the morning (thank heavens I didn't have to finish
that paper!), to sleeping next to the captain of the 1st
Eleven that same night.
Trashing the Camp
One unforgettable memory
at camp (of so many others I cannot mention here) was one particular
senior's habit of dumping all his clothes, regardless of whether
they were clean or not, in one big pile, which, to be quite modest,
was in possession of a stench so powerful that it would have even
made a Royalist throw up! (not an easy task I must say) Whenever he
needed an item he would put his hand in and take anything it caught,
irrespective of its condition. This guy is one of my best buddies to
this day, and the memory of his 'toxic pile' will always remain a
source of amusement.
While at camp we n^ere
under the care of Mrs. Ratnam and Jayewardene, who has been in
college for ages and the rest of the people at the junior boarding.
All cricketers who have been to camp, no doubt have a special place
in their hearts for these two kind, loving and caring individuals,
who have to cope with 11 raucous teenagers for one whole week.
Having our radio on at a very high volume during the night,
screaming and shouting and fighting during the day and above all
having to cope with the aroma of toe jam and unwashed clothes,
especially of the coloursmen, were a few of the challenges they had
to face. Not once did they complain, and they saw to it that all our
needs were satisfied, and above all, they were like parents to us
during that period of time.
Staunch Discipline
As I had received colours
by playing the big match in 2000, the following 3 seasons were very
much different, as with colours came the added responsibility of
being a senior. During these 3 years many friendships were formed
and there are many incidents of interest in my memory. The
discipline and commitment required to play cricket at the top level
for S.Thomas' was of the highest order as it is and will be in not
only cricket but in all spheres of College.
One of these incidents
was when we were having our early morning fitness training with the
athletics coach at that time. This guy was a really tough
disciplinarian and did not approve of anyone getting late by even a
minute. On one occasion, we had already started our rounds around
the big club grounds, and one of our fellow coloursman was not
present as yet, and much to our surprise suddenly popped out from
behind the canteen, which was on the opposite side of the field from
where our trainer was, and joined us in our run. He had got late due
to some reason or the other, and in order to avoid the wrath of our
trainer, had scaled the wall adjoining the rail tracks and entered
the ground and then hid behind the canteen waiting for us to pass by
so that he could join the pack unnoticed. But our trainer was much
sharper than that and immediately noticed the late comer and
summoned him, presumably to educate him on the adverse effects of
verbal abuse. It was quite the contrary that took place as almost no
words were spoken, and the guilty party walked off apparently sent
off home. It was not so, our trainer had told him to go to one end
of the ground and do continuous somersaults until he reached the
other end of the ground! (It may sound simple, but just try it and
find out for yourself if it is simple or not!) This particular
player was one of the fittest guys among us. But after completing
about a fourth of the task, we saw him stumbling and struggling. He
continued however, until he completed the entire punishment, at
which point he could barely stand straight and almost passed out.
The message was delivered.
Another occasion was with
our coach Mr. Dinesh Kumarasinghe. He was feared by coloursman and
freshers alike and was probably the strictest disciplinarian I will
ever come across. He was extremely sharp and never missed a trick,
be it regarding tactics applied at a match or our habits and
discipline. Going out in the night during match days was taboo. On
this occasion there was a party hosted by a 2nd eleven member for
which we were invited, and as we were in total control of the match
after the first day we decided to go for the party for a short
while. A short while it was! We all came off as late as 3 a.m. and
turned up for the match all dreary eyed the next morning. He made no
mention about the party and we were happy that he seemed to not be
aware of it. We did not fare as well as we expected during the
period of play up to lunch, and victory was not as sure now. After
lunch he came into the dressing room as usual to talk to us, and
before anything else, asked who among us had been at the party. We
were
stunned, and as all but
one of us had gone, we said we all went, as it would be unwise to
deny it. All he said was that he knew about the party and about what
time we got back home, and said that if we didn't win the match
there would be hell to pay, and knowing him there definitely would
be hell to pay! The adrenaline began pumping (more a result of his
wrath than anything else) and miraculously by virtue of a run out we
managed to win with just about no time left! The fear we felt then
is still recalled and looked back upon now with laughter.
He was also renowned for
being a top class fielder in his time, and therefore set a very high
standard when it came to fielding. This resulted in unbelievably
long and tough fielding sessions and the many occasions where ice
was needed for our fingers and hands will never be forgotten,
especially the week after we dropped I think about 5 or 6 chances in
the St. Benedicts match in the 2002/2003 season, the whole of the
following week consisted of absolutely nothing but fielding for the
whole team during practice time. I think the sick room must have run
out of ice during that period!
Also mention should be
made of Mr. 'Patchy' Bulankulame and Mr. Ranil Abeynaike. Mr.
Bulankulame was my first coach in the under 11 stage and he too was
a very strict disciplinarian himself and for many of the cricketers
of my era was the person who so tirelessly moulded us to face the
greater and tougher levels of cricket and life. Mr. Abeynaike on the
other hand took over as coach of college in my final year, needless
to say he adjusted magnificently and was a tower of both strength
and experience from which I learned a lot in a very short time. Like
in my case for all cricketers who have donned the blue and black
blazer there are coaches, masters in charge and trainers who at
various levels through their verbals, punishments and top quality
training sessions made us tough and instilled the required
discipline within us. These individuals are almost always forgotten
when it comes to the big match, but if not for these individuals I
would not have played in a single big match and for that I am
eternally grateful.
At Ground Level
The individuals who take
care of the big club grounds and the turf, better known as the
'groundies,' were, and are still very friendly with most of the
cricketers who have played there. Anthony, Ajith and the rest of the
gang are an awesome set of guys who arc just absolutely crazy and
are always willing to do anything for us. These guys work tirelessly
in the scorching heat, to prepare our wickets and the ground and are
almost always forgotten when it comes to big matches. But what
people do not know is that they are always with us in the dressing
room at the match, and are always at hand for anything we need and
above all provide much of the moral support we require. One habit
that stands out is that during the week before the big match they
take all our equipment for a day, and clean them and brighten them
till they look like new. This act of simple care and thought fulness
touched me very deeply, and my respect for them has grown since. And
the sound of the fire crackers they light for us as we leave College
for the first day of the big match will always be etched in my
memory as one of the most touching tributes I will ever know.
In addition to the
groundies, many other support staff members are an integral part of
cricket and S. Thomas' itself and thereby the big match itself. All
members of the support staff are usually very good pals with the
cricketers and prefects and they have and always will support and
help us out in any way possible and vice versa. The kitchen staff
stands out as they always gave us extra chicken or beef and whatever
else is on offer on the sly when we arrive at our meals after
training in the mornings or during camp.
An Unsung Brotherhood
A cricket match, as would
be defined by an expert, is a battle between 22 individuals out in
the middle of a playing field, with bat and ball in hand. However
true this statement might be, at S.Thomas' whether it be cricket or
any other activity, it is as special as it is, thanks to the undying
support, encouragement, and brotherly concern shown by our fellow
Thomians. Even though it is the praises of the 11 players that are
sung during and after the big match, there are those within our
brotherhood we will be ever indebted to.
The additional players,
from the 12th man, to the entire 2nd Eleven, who are with the team
in the dressing room and assist in so many ways, ranging from
carrying out the water to helping with the scoring and the media,
musrbe given a place of special mention. Though they have missed out
on the chance to be in the middle, they are yet ever willing to
serve the cause of Cricket at S. Thomas" in which ever way they can.
Let me say to them, that this in itself is a victory: To serve that
which you believe in, selflessly, with no hope of repayment, for the
greater good.
Another such group of
outstanum^ individual me the members of the Tent Committee; the
Prefects. Having been the head of the Tent Committee, I can easily
say, that unless one has been part of it, you would never know just
how great an effort is made in the organization of the match on
their part. From the Cycle Parades, to the instigation of match
fever within the student body, (the only reason we keep them back
after assembly during this time of year!) to the Tent decor, to the
papare band, to the huge task of putting together an entire
souvenir; these men do it all, with no complaint. The very souvenir
you hold at this moment is a result of tiresome work, consisting of
many many phone calls to sponsors and contributors, consecutive
sleepless nights and much diplomatic tackling of bureaucracy. (In
fact, ex Tent Committee members are known to still suffer from
insomnia as a result of the work load) Mention should also be made
of the wonderful work done my the House Prefects in seeking out
advertisements for the souvenir and selling them at a success rate
that I am sure would equal many a best selling novel. (The fact that
they have to, more often than not, force it on you will not be taken
into consideration) Never the less, all jokes apart, it is indeed
the collection of all of these contributions that makes the Battle
of the Blues what it is today. That so many come together and rally
round for these three days in March, and perform grueling tasks,
even beyond those entrusted to them, all not for self glory or self
achievement, is a special quality, and characteristic that I can
attribute to one thing alone- Thomianism. It is for this reason that
the College has excelled as it has over the past, in all spheres of
activity.
In conclusion, firstly I
would like to say that I am taking nothing away from the players
themselves. Donning the blue black blazer and colours cap has been
the highest honour that the Lord has blessed me with in my life and
nothing can exceed that and let me tell you that there is no greater
feeling than stepping out onto the SSC and trying to rip the heads
off those Reid Avenue boys. The amount of dedication, discipline,
commitment and hard work put in is immense and therefore in essence
the big match is all about the players, but it would not be as
special as it is if not the many people working behind the scenes,
who start their planning well in advance, firstly so that another
victory is ensured in the field and finally that you might revel in
the spirit and awe that truly is the Royal Thomian.
Cricket is just 22
players. But the Royal Thomian heart, soul, blood, sweat, tears,
dedication, passion, love.
Esto Perpetua !
Arjuna Rajawasan
(Many thanks to A.T.)
