|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Monday, 27 December 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Sports | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Life and times in sport : Duleep Mendis - an ornament to cricket in Sri Lanka by Premasara Epasinghe Tracing the history of cricket in Sri Lanka the names of batting stars such as M. Sathasivam, Sargo Jayawickrema, F. C. de Saram, Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya will live in our hearts. Among this galaxy of batting stars Duleep Mendis occupies a very significant place as "Mendis Special" in Sri Lanka cricket. He was a batsman who pulverised many fearsome bowlers in the world. He always believed that "Attack is the best form of defence." In cricket, they say, form is temporary class is permanent. Duleep was undoubtedly a classy batsman. I had personal experience of his batting prowess when he was representing Maharaja Organisation in the quadrangular tournament. I was a member of the Nationalised Services XI representing Bank of Ceylon as an opening batsman. The match was played in late 1970s at the Colts Grounds and what an innings that Duleep played. He scored a swashbuckling 184. He sent us running round the park. His power-packed innings I will never forget. A feature of Mendis' genius was always an ability to place a ball between fielders with unerring precision. Duleep Mendis hails from the cricket crazy town - Moratuwa. Cricket was running in his blood. His parents, brothers, cousins- the whole family was interested in cricket. He lived in close proximity to St. Sebastian's College, a leading educational institution in Moratuwa. St. Sebastians was his nursery of cricket. From junior level, he later graduated to play in the first XI. He played two years and in 1968 captained the college team. He scored more than 1000 runs for the season and later joined S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia. He toured India with the under-19 team in 1969 under Mitra Wettimuny. His cricket career reached great heights at S. Thomas' College. In 1971 and 1972 Royal-Thomian matches, he scored centuries - 103 not out in 1971 and 184 in 1972. Mendis can boast of many "Firsts". He was the first Sri Lankan Test Captain to record the first test victory. He was the first Sri Lankan cricketer to score twin centuries in a test. I was very fortunate, I commentated on this Test from Chennai (then Madras) in the first ever Sri Lanka Rupavahini telecast with Palitha Perera. As a cricket administrator he was the first Sri Lankan cricket manager of the Sri Lankan team which clinched the World Cup 1996 - the greatest achievement in the annals of sporting history of our country. One of the nightmares in Mendis's cricket career was undoubtedly the injury he sustained facing Jeft Thomson in the 1975 first World Cup encounter. If not for the injuries to Sunil Weettimuny (retired hurt 53 - 102 balls) (7 hits to the ropes) Duleep Mendis (retired hurt 32 - 45 balls with 5 boundaries) Sri Lanka may have upset the Australians at Kennington Oval, London on 11th June, 1975. Australia won this match by 52 runs. Australia scored 328 for 5 wickets in their allotted 60 overs with Alan Turner scoring 101 in 111 balls with 9 hits to the ropes and one six. Sri Lanka replied with 276 for 4 wickets with Sri Lankan debutant in this World Cup series. Opener Sunil Wettimuny retired hurt with 53 runs scored off 102 deliveries with 7 boundaries. Mendis's hour of glory was his brilliant century he scored at Lord's (111) and 94 in the second innings against England in 1984. Unfortunately he missed twin centuries by six runs. This was undoubtedly one of the best innings he played in his distinguished career commenting on his innings at Lord's he told me. "I value and cherish the knocks at Lord's for two reasons. One is that I scored these runs at the Mecca of Cricket. Secondly to play at Lord's is a dream come true for any cricketer in the world. Unfortunately I could not repeat my performance of twin centuries which I did at Chepauk, Chennai (Madras) in 1982. That's cricket," said Mendis. The pinnacle of Mendis's achievement as a cricket administrator was under his guidance as manager, he was able to guide the Sri Lanka team to the greatest sports victory - 1996 World Cup. Sri Lanka won the World Cup at Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan beating Australia by seven wickets where Aravinda de Silva scored an epic innings - 107 not out. Unassuming Mendis served as the Director (Development) of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka. Presently he holds the prestigious position of chief executive of Sri Lanka cricket. He was undoubtedly a born leader. His test career record shows that in 24 Test matches he accumulated 1329 runs in 43 innings remaining unbeaten once. His average is 31.64. In his distinguished career he scored four test centuries, 8 half centuries. He held 8 catches. Mendis possessed leadership on and off the field. In his present position at SLC he promotes and guides the game of cricket in Sri Lanka both locally and internationally. He is embodied with the qualities of leadership such as courage, will power, initiative, knowledge, integrity, self-confidence, enthusiasm and ability to communicate. His wife Dilhara is the wind behind his wings. She is a tower of inspiration in his whole career. They have two sons - Niru and Sanjeeva and a daughter, Meneka. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
