Archives

A Player's Guide to better cricket titled 'Thinking Cricket' adopting a totally different approach and aimed at all levels of the game, was launched at a colourful ceremony last Tuesday at SmithKline Beecham Private Limited boardroom in Colombo.

The Chairman Singer Group Hemaka Amarasuriya was the chief guest and Sanath Jayasuriya, captain Sri Lanka cricket team the guest of honour, at the distinguished gathering, that had Vijaya Malalasekera, H. L. B. Gomes and Mrs. Gwen Herat along with HE Miss Linda Duffield as some of the other distinguished invitees.

It is the end result of eighteen months of relentless commitment, unflinching and unfeigned effort of Ajith C. S. Perera, a professionally qualified and competent training instructor and a former Test match panel senior cricket umpire. He in his very persuasive introduction to this 290 page A-4 size manual said "it is a book packed with wealth of practical information, handy hints, useful tips and worthwhile suggestions and thought provoking ideas, which could be readily used and easily referred to, everyday, throughout anyone's cricketing life.

It certainly encourages in self-believing in making every player to realise that higher levels of performance, are certainly attainable. It not only analyses over hundreds of common mistakes and problems cricketers face daily on field of play in their cricketing lives, but also provides huge amounts of worthwhile information to overcome them. It also gives good guidance on the wise implementation of the required remedial action".

Although it is a worthwhile book to the relatively inexperienced but enthusiastic schoolboy cricketer and the semi-experienced up and coming young club cricketer, it was revealed at this launch by the panel of other eminent speakers that it is also an indispensable guide to everyone involved with cricket training at all levels of the game, very specially to the ex-players, parents and teachers who are forced by circumstances to play the vital role of a cricket coach, the vacuum they are compelled to fulfil in the absence of an accredited cricket coach.

Hemaka Amarasuriya in his chief guest's address indicated that Thinking Cricket is certainly more than a cricket manual. "It is a bible on cricket training, ideally suited to cricket coaches and the young up and coming cricketer and even useful to an experienced player as a ready reckoner, to refresh his memory from time to time on all vital aspects of the game.

Had this book been available to me 40 years ago, perhaps I too could have made meaningful contributions on field of play, by drawing from its contents. He further stated "This meticulously prepared book of excellence, far exceeds in versatility and in presentation both, whatever manual on cricket that has been produced before in this country, prior to this launch today.

With an analytical mind, Ajith analyses in great detail, every aspect of the intricacies of the game, no others have done before. His experience in teaching at the Colombo University and in the disciplines of the private sector, has enabled him to layout this book in a very rewarding sequence of activity. His knowledge in man-management, has also brought in the all important facet, cricket psychology, which is sadly lacking amongst the cricket coaches of today, with just a few exceptions".

He further went on to indicate that although Ajith has priced it at just rupees 695 per copy to make certain that it is available to all, my perceived value of this book is twice this marked price".

At the start of the ceremony, it was revealed that although many business organisations from time to time have readily come forward to sponsor various individuals, clubs and cricketing tournaments providing the much needed encouragement and assistance, hardly anyone has yet come forward to give a helping hand to promote that vital aspect of the game, "systematic overall training", the need of the modern day cricketer from their formative years itself. Speaking on this vital aspect, Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya very appropriately highlighted in his address that "this indispensable training guide from Ajith Perera comes to us at a very important time, when we even do not yet, have a proper cricket training academy, to nurture our future heroes". Sanath further remarked that Ajith has given us a high quality-training guide that provides good direction and proper guidance with much foresight.

In a read out message sent by Davenell Whatmore along with Alex Kountouri, it is said "Thinking Cricket is indeed an Everest of an achievement by Ajith Perera. Many features here make it a totally different book on cricket. It is an excellent lifetime investment towards enhancing one's overall field performance through getting the best out of any players".

Former England captain Mike Brearley OBE in a special E-Mail message to Ajith indicates: "this book is a tribute to his hard work, experience and wider knowledge and also to his determination in overcoming a huge trauma".

Well-known cricket writer and commentator Christopher Martin-Jenkins in his E-Mail message to Ajith indicated "it seems to me that your book has achieved its objective on cricket training, admirably. It is an excellent production, packed with good practical advice on every aspect of the great and multifaceted game that we all love".

Dr. Cameron Battersby the former manager of the Australian cricket team in his message to Ajith says, "It is a credit to you Ajith as well as to Sri Lankan cricket. Your clarity of thought and expression, highlights your dedication and great love of this game".

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager