Life and times in sport

Aravinda - an ornament to Sri Lanka cricket

BY PREMASARA Epasinghe

THE seventeenth day of the month of October 1985 - I will never forget. I was commentating on the Sri Lanka-Pakistan First Test match over the air-waves of Pakistan Radio from Faisalabad, which was beamed to Sri Lanka.

This was a historic occasion for SLBC. It was the first-ever cricket commentary relayed from foreign soil.

On the second day young Aravinda de Silva was facing Imran Khan. His individual score was 94. I had the good fortune to witness the 20th birthday celebrations of Aravinda, along with a distinguished gathering on Pakistan soil.

This moment is deeply etched in my mind, because, young Aravinda de Silva achieved a milestone, both in his life and his outstanding career by reaching his first 'ton' with a mighty six off legendary Imran Khan.

Complete cricketer

I have witnessed many sparkling, and brilliant innings of Aravinda right round the globe. Undoubtedly, he is a born cricketer. He is an artist. His epic innings of 67 against India, when Sri Lanka were struggling and chips were down, with two wickets for 5 runs - was a innings of determination and commitment.

He flipped to square leg, cover drives, on drives, off drives of the front foot, he sent the ball to the rails, just like sending a flat pebble hopping over a calm sea.

Aravinda was a small man, got to where he wanted by quick footwork. Aravinda's hook was pure magic. The crack of his bat against the ball was sweet music for all of us.

His innings of 107 not out in the final of the World Cup 1996, paved way to beat the Australians. This is the best innings I have seen in my commentating career. As a young school cricketer in the mid 1950s, I saw the 'Batting Maestro' M. Sathasivam's double century at the NCC grounds.

Aravinda's innings was close to Satha's innings. Aravinda de Silva, I consider him as an absolute genius. He had a wonderful eye and a wonderful brain for cricket. He was the best all-rounder that Sri Lanka produced in the Test and ODI arena.

Pinnaduwage Aravinda de Silva, was born on October 17, 1965 in Colombo. He was a right-hand bat and a right-arm off-break bowler, who represented D. S. Senanayake College Colombo, Nondescript Cricket Club (NCC), Sri Lanka, Auckland and Kent.

His Test debut was at Lords - the Mecca of Cricket. He represented Sri Lanka against England, from August 23-26, 1984. His last Test was against Bangladesh at Colombo - R. Premadasa Stadium.

This Test was played from July 21-25, 2002. His first class career spanned from 1983-2002. His first class career, spanned from 1983/84 - 2002/03.

A proud record

Aravinda de Silva played in 93 Test matches. In 159 innings, he scored 6,361 runs with a highest score of 267 against New Zealand. He was unbeaten eleven (11) times. Average - 42.97. In the bowling department, he delivered 2,595 balls, gave away 1,206 runs and captured 29 wickets. He held 43 catches.

He had 20 centuries and 22 half centuries. The number of sixes - 48.

He represented Sri Lanka in 308 One Day Internationals. In 296 innings, he collected 9,284 runs. Highest score 145. He remained unbeaten on 30 occasions. Average - 34.90.

He scored 11 hundreds and 64 fifties. He held 95 catches. In bowling, he bowled 5,148 balls, gave away 4,177 runs and captured 106 wickets. Aravinda de Silva played in 220 first class matches.

In 343 innings, he scored 15,000 runs. Highest score - 267. Average 48.38. He bowled 9,005 deliveries, captured 129 wickets giving away 3,763 runs.

In 392 first class matches, he scored 12,095 runs, in 377 innings, remaining unbeaten on 44 occasions. Highest score 158 not out. Bowling 7,377 deliveries, he gave away 5,663 runs and captured 156 wickets.

Country before self

Aravinda de Silva was not only an international cricketer, but also a good samaritan. He always followed his school motto - 'Country Before Self' (Thamata Pera Rata).

Further, he followed his mentor, philosopher, guide and teacher, founder principal of D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo - Mr. R. I. T. Alles, educationist par-excellence.

International star cricketer Aravinda, played a vital role as the vice-president of Sri Lanka Cricket, when they launched the Cricket Aid for tsunami victims. Like in the field of cricket, he led the 'Cricket Aid' from the front.

It was Abu Fuard, the great off-spinner and a fierce, tough competitor in the field was the first to notice his talents, when Aravinda was a child. Fourteen years later, it was the same Fuard who was managing the Sri Lanka Test Team, when he entered the Sri Lankan side.

In 1971, he entered D. S. Senanayake College and at the age of 13, he was coached by Charlie Warnakulasuriya and W. A. N. Silva. When he was a teenager he was coached by P. W. Perera.

As a very young schoolboy, Aravinda joined Nondescript Cricket Club (NCC) and blossomed into a fine cricketer. He was mentally tough, and played like a veteran. He was very fortunate that he came under Ranjit Fernando. He coached him and motivated him.

To be a successful and an international cricketer you have to work hard and must be committed and disciplined.

My memory goes back to a after dinner speech delivered by our former Foreign Minister to Sri Lankan Cricketers when they were touring England.

Former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar one of the greatest sons of Sri Lanka, a former Trinity College cricketer cum captain and a great sportsman said: "Cricketers work hard; politicians only pretend to do so. Cricketers are disciplined; discipline is a word unknown to most politicians in any language.

Cricketers risk their own limbs in the heat of the honourable play, politicians encourage others to risk their limbs in pursuit of fruitless causes, while they remain secure in the safety of their pavilions.

Cricketers deserve the rewards they get; the people get the politicians they deserve. Cricketers retire young; politicians go on forever.

Cricketers unite the country; politicians divide it. Cricketers accept the umpires verdict even if they disagree with it; politicians who disagree with an umpire usually get him transferred. Cricketers stick to their team through victory and defeat, politicians in a losing team, crossover and join the winning team". .

What I admire in Aravinda, is the great quality of respecting the teachers, parents and elders. He never failed to get the blessings of R. I. T. Alles, before any encounter, Test or ODI.

This is the practice, even when he tours. Before the tour, he meets, 'The Old Man' and gets his blessings.

The climax of which I witnessed at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore in Pakistan, when I was commentating on the World Cup 1996 was unbelievable.

After he received the 'Man of the Match' award from Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, he stepped down from the stage and paid his respects to his father Sam de Silva and foster father. What a noble gesture - from a great cricketing son of Sri Lanka.