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Have bowlers been short-changed by umpires?

by Mahinda Wijesinghe Graphics by Lalith Senanayake
There was this apocryphal story concerning two grand persons who embellished the game of cricket. One was the celebrated umpire Alex Skelding, and the other was the rumbustious allrounder, W. E. (Bill) Alley who played for New South Wales, Australia, in the mid-1940s and at the age of 38, began his career with Somerset in the English county championship. Many are the stories concerning these two colourful characters. Skelding it was, who used to draw stumps at the end of day’s play by announcing: "And, that gentlemen concludes the day’s entertainment".

‘Bill’ Alley, in addition to his left-hand batting and right-arm medium pace bowling, was a professional boxer who won all his 28 professional bouts as a welter-weight. His most successful season for Somerset with the bat was in 1961 when he aggregated 3019 runs (average 56.96) in 1961 and performed the ‘double’ in 1962. After his playing days were over he became a first-class umpire. More than his prowess as a player, Alley was known for the amusing and often interesting incidents involving him on and off the field of play. Incidentally, another player who later played for Somerset and who had Alley-like qualities was another left-hand batsman - the former Yorkshire and England cricketer Brian Close. Alley and Close were from the same mould. Tough, unyielding competitors. Alley visited Ceylon in 1949/50 with a Commonwealth team.

The story was that Alley was bowling in a county game with Skelding as umpire. Alley bowls and raps the batsman on his back foot, and yells his appeal. Skelding is unmoved. Alley is livid but smiles most disarmingly. While walking past Skelding to his bowling mark, the following conversation ensues:

Alley: "Sorry Alex, I suppose it would not have hit off stump".

Skelding: "You’re right Bill."

Alley: "And, I suppose it would not have hit leg-stump either."

Skelding: "You’re right again Bill."

"But, it would have definitely hit the bloody middle stump" thundered the exasperated bowler!

The point here is that an lbw decision has to be based on the judgement of the umpire. It is an opinion expressed by the man in the white coat that the ball would have hit the stumps, or more specifically, the bail/s would have fallen by the delivery hitting the stumps if not for the batsman’s person obstructing the path of the ball. Of course, there are certain conditions enshrined in Law 36 which the umpire has to determine before passing final judgement. For instance, even if the ball would have hit the stumps but if the ball had pitched outside the leg stump, the batsman cannot be ruled out.

Now, what are the specifications of the stumps, or what is the square area - the area which the umpire has to decide whether the ball would or would not hit - occupied by the stumps? Law 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3 tells us (See Fig. A) that the height is 28 inches, the width 9 inches and the bails can protrude up to a maximum of 1/2 an inch. Hence the total square area occupied by a set of stumps (See Figs. A & B) would be (28.5 x 9) 256.5 square inches. So, it would seem the umpire has to, on appeal, decide whether the ball, with a circumference of 9 inches (Law 5.1), would have hit/or not, a part of this area. Well, not exactly.

The bails may fall even if the ball clips the outer side of the off or leg stump, or even the top of the protruding bails. The diameter of a cricket ball is 2.86 inches. It can be safely assumed that if approximately quarter of an inch (say, .25 to .3 of an inch) of the ball clips the stumps on either the off or leg-stump, or the top of the bails, the bails would fall. That leaves room of around 2.5 inches of the ball clear (2.86 -.3), and enhances the ‘danger area’ for an lbw decision on three sides. Now the height increases to 31.0 inches (28.5 + 2.5) and the width to 14.0 inches (9+2.5+2.5). See figures C & D. Now, from the original square area of 256.5 square inches the new area now becomes 434 square inches (31.0 x 14.0). A staggering increase of 177.5 (434.0 - 256.5) square inches or interpreted percentage-wise it becomes a bewildering increase of 69%.

To illustrate it in more simple terms, the danger area now becomes more than 2/3rd the normally supposed area when determining an lbw decision. Perhaps some umpires maybe aware of it but what about the others? If Bill Alley knew about this he would had more to say to umpires!

Lanka to welcome our undefeated ruggerites

Hafiz Marikar from Kandy
A warm welcome awaits our ruggerites who have done their best in three different tournaments. They will be arriving today from Kuala Lumpur after winning the Neighbours Cup for the second time.

The Sri Lankan ruggerites led by Asoka Jayasena are expected to be received by the Minister of Sports, S. B. Dissanayake, President of Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union, Anton Benedict, and his ex-members and Chairman of Selection Committee Capt, Tikiri Marambe too will be there with his members. Soon after the reception at the Airport, the team will be taken to the SLRFU Headquarters at Longden Place.

The Sri Lankan ruggerites crowned themselves as uncrowned kings with an unbeaten record in three different tournaments. They started by winning the two test series against the Chinese team, who had been preparing for this tournament with a world class coach. They then beat the Northern Territory ruggerites from Australia in a two test series and this time won the Neighbours Cup. They have been unbeaten in all the three tournaments.

According to the Secretary of the SLRFU Iqbal Hassan, they will go straight into training in preparation for the next Asiad.

The pride of the Sri Lankan team were their forwards such as Dunstan de Silva, Mohamed Buksh, Pradeep Basnayake, Suranga Amarasinghe, Shivantha de Saram, S. Karunaratne, A. Dharmapala and Asoka Jayasena.

Scrum half Nilufer Ibrahim was the most outstanding player who gave off his best. Fly half Sajith Mallikarachchi, did well in patches while centres Lasantha Wijesuriya, D. Nishantha, Sanjeewa Jayasinghe, Radika Hettiarachchi did their part well.

Nimal Leuke the coach, with a good knowledge of the game has drilled his forwards with the finesse of an international team and so also were the back division with their tackling and passing.

Kandy girls schools excel in hockey

Hafiz Marikar from Kandy
Seethadevi BMV and Sri Rahula College, made Kandy proud by entering the finals of the Hockey Tournament at the National School Games played at Matale. The experienced under 19 hockey players from Seethadevi beat their home town rivals by a goal to nil. In this tournament 26 leading schools in the country took part.

Today, Women’s hockey over here is in a good footing. This is mainly due to the keenness of some young coaches, who are giving of their best.

The champion Seethadevi side, had to fight very hard to beat the Sri Rahula girls. The winning goal came from Chaturangani Inosha Ratnayake. This game produced some good interesting hockey. It was the second time that the Seethadevi girls won this championship. They beat schools like Sujatha BMV, Nugagoda, Pushpadanna Girls College, Kandy and St. Paul’s Milagiriya. The players who excelled for the champions are Chathurangani Inosha Ratnayake, Iroshani Liyanage, Buddhika Rathnayake, Ayesha Serasinghe, Imalka Iranthi, and Sathika Kumari. A big hand should go to their dedicated coach M. Ashraff who has done his best to make this team a champion outfit. He is an old boy of St. Sylvester’s College and plays for Young Stars S. C.

Sri Rahula College were very unfortunate after entering the finals for the first time in this National school games hockey tournament. They have a good talented side, but lacked the grit to win. They beat schools like Viharamahadevi BMV, Bishop’s College, St. Anthony’s Convent, Visaka BMV. Jayalakshmi Kaluarachchi and Vajira Ranwalage did a good job. This team is also coached by one of the top coaches Kelum Shanthasiri. He too is a product of St. Sylvester’s College and plays for Asgiriya SC. He has given his best for this school to come up in this sport. He is a Playground Master and coaches hockey.

Greig’s goof: media misjudgement puts commentator on back foot

By Peter Roebuck
Tony Greig’s honeymoon period in Sri Lankan cricket is over. He has been savaged in the media here for an interview shown on Sunday night in which he attacked the selectors for dropping the elder statesmen from their one-day team and advocated the restoration of the deposed and partially disgraced administration.

He also demanded the sacking of the interim committee, imposed by a displeased government, and implied its members were boneheads. And he suggested the building of a new cricket arena in Dambulla on the grounds it’s drier than anywhere else.

Greig’s status is higher in Sri Lanka than in anywhere else in the world. For several years, he has been a regular visitor and a strong defender of Sri Lankan cricket? and his advocacy of its cause and fondness for its players have won him almost icon status around the country.

Until last weekend, this mutual regard seemed unshakable. His defence of Murali and Ranatunga in Australia last summer was strong and vocal and was noted by Sri Lanka’s passionate cricket following. Although Greig has no official position in Sri Lankan cricket. His connections are strong. Especially with the recently fallen administration.

Which is why his tirade has provoked fury and astonishment in equal parts. Greig cannot have anticipated the backlash. On radio, in newspapers and in conversations, a once-doting public have vented their spleen. They think he’s been duped. Since the new committee took over, Dav Whatmore has been restored, Sanath Jayasuriya has been made captain, the one-day team has fielded brilliantly and won a trophy, the Test side has taken a lead against Australia and the finances have been put on a proper footing.

Greig’s defence of the old stagers has been seen as an attack upon Jayasuriya, a man from the villages who lacks the sophistication of the educated but has commitment, honesty, spirit and strong support from the masses.

Suggestions that Arjuna Ranatunga be restored as captain for one match as a gesture towards his contribution have been derided. The idea that Ranatunga should be in the one-day team seems ridiculous and Greig has withdrawn it. Ranatunga’s star has faded and his brother, the chief executive, was heckled at a recent awards ceremony.

Greig’s support for his friend Thilanga Sumathipala, the deposed president, has also drawn criticism. The recent elections were widely regarded as dubious. Thilanga is an energetic young businessman with a wide range of interests.

Far from being dills, the men on the interim committee include a high-powered banker and the managing directors of large insurance and advertising companies. They are men of probity and experience with nothing much to prove. They believe Thilanga has much to otter but think it was too early and regret he was not more discerning in the company he kept.

Building a stadium in the drier regions was not such a bad idea. Greig pointed out that Sri Lanka had a window of opportunity every September and could organise regular tours in this period. Unfortunately, it’s the rainy season in the south. Hence Greig’s recommendation. But the cost is enormous and, for the time being, those responsible think the money would be better spent improving existing grounds.

Greig has also been attacked for appearing on a show sponsored by a beer company. Demonstrators turned up in Colombo, banging their drums and singing songs. This was a bit rich as the demonstrators were standing 10m from a beer tent.

Besides, Greig is not responsible for government policy.

He has also been called to account for meddling in domestic cricketing matters but this, too, is unfair because he’s visited Sri Lanka frequently and in any case he’s entitled to his opinion. It’s his judgment and not his involvement that can be criticised.

In the short term, Greig’s reputation has suffered a blow. People are remarkably upset. Indeed, they are shocked because Greig had been regarded with the greatest respect and affection here.

But he will recover. His support for Sri Lankan cricket is genuine and unwavering. It started long before the .Sri Lankans became fashionable and it is impossible to doubt that he has the country’s best cricketing interests at heart.

Some think Greig gullible. Others are more cynical. They are wrong. He is a man without malice or meanness, who simply lost his bearings.

South Africa dominate in bridge

By Shirajiv Sirimane
South Africa continued their dominance in open pairs Bridge championship held at the Taj Samudra Hotel, last Saturday night. South Africa had 268.5, India 235, Reunion 221, Bangaladesh 220.5, Kenya 197.5, Pakistan 194, Mauritius 176, Sri Lanka 162.5 and Palestine 34, in this 10th Africa Asia and Middle East bridge Championships.

In the ladies event Egypt are in the lead with 272.5 points while South Africa 260. Pakistan 249.5, India 232, Sri Lanka 210, Jordan 208 and Reunion 189 are behind them.

Semi-finals of the event will commence on the 12th. Teams which did not qualify for the semi-final berths and bridge players forming a team could take part in the Transnational team event.

This event will be held on the 12th and 13th. Finals of the main events and the Transnational event will be held on the 14th with Speaker K. B. Ratnayake and Sports Minister S. B. Dissanayake as the chief guests. Joes Daimini, President World Bridge Federation too will grace the occasion as a special invitee.

Senaweera treasurer

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka which is not doing well in the championships received a tremendous boost when the President of the Bridge Federation of Sri Lanka, Bandula Senaweera was elected treasurer to the Africa Asia and Middle East Bridge Federation (BFAAME). His election was unanimous.

This is the first occasion that a Sri Lankan official is holding this prestigious and powerful position.

The congress also decided that a separate Bridge Association will be formed for the African Zone.

Mazhar Jafri was reelected as BFAAME President for a further four-year term. Being the founder secretary of Zone 4 BFAAME since it’s inception, he was elected the President in 1995.

Mazhar is also a senior Vice President of the World Bridge Federation and the Chairman of the WBF/IOC Liasion Committee. Besides being the Chairman and member of various WBF committees, his most significant contribution to the promotion and development of bridge worldwide is the recognition of the WBF and bridge as part of the Olympic Movement.

Last year in Lille, he was elected to the WBF Committee of Honour - a lifetime achievement award.

Other officers of the BFAAME elected at the meeting of the BFAAME Council were:-

Vice President: Ghassan Ghanem, (Jordan), N. Nagappan, (India), M. K. Chaudhary, (India), Secretary: A. K. Feroze Ahmed (Bangladesh), Assistant Secretary: Azwerul Haq, (Pakistan), Treasurer: D. P. Senaweera, (Sri Lanka).

Organisers unprepared, tournament off to a late start

Hafiz Marikar from Kandy
It was a sad end at the Bogambara Stadium last Monday, where the Central Province inter-schools under 15 Rugby Tournament was held, to pick the best six teams of the tournament to take part in the All Island tournament to be held in Colombo.

This tournament was organised by the Central Province Schools Rugby Football Union. Today, rugby is one of the most popular sports in the country, but sad to say this popular and much awaited junior tournament was a mess. In this tournament nine teams took part with two each, which made the tally 18, and the teams were grouped into four groups. The teams were Trinity, St. Anthony’s, Kingswood, Dharmaraja, Vidyartha, St. Sylvester’s, Sri Rahula, Sri Sumangala and St. Thomas from Matale.

The tournament was to be kicked off at 8.30 a.m. and by 8.15 all the young ruggerites were seen in there playing kits, and ready for the sport and most of the parents and fans were there to see this tournament. The young players were a disturbed lot, to see there was no rugby goal posts, but a set of football goal posts. The organisers were not seen, and by 9.45 they started to remove the football goal posts and by 10.30 the tournament got off to a start.

According to the programme there were 36 games and the normal playing hours are 10 minutes each half, a break of 2 minutes. In this tournament it was reduced to 7 minutes each half and a break of a minute due to delayed start.

The organisers should have seen to these things on the previous day and should have come in time for the tournament.

The matches were not completed, due to lack of time and the tournament was held under wet conditions. By 6.00 p.m. they had to stop the tournament and at that time the teams had come up to the quarter finals. The teams which had come up to the quarter finals were from Group A - St. Anthony’s, Dharmaraja. Group B - St. Sylvester’s, Sri Rahula. Group C, Trinity, Kingswood. Group D - St. Thomas, Vidyartha. Now they have decided to send all 8 teams to take part in the Colombo tournament.

According to some of the coaches, this tournament should have been held before the 30th of September, but was held only on the 4th of October and most of the referees at this tournament were coaches and were not properly dressed.

Hendiyagala Central an unique double

by Shirajiv Sirimane in Matara
In the hamlet of Kurunegala without a qualified coach as such, Hendiyagala Central has achieved an unique double in athletics. The school dominated mini marathons in both the girls and boys events at the All-Island Schools Games held at Matara last week.

Fifteen year old Lakmali Costa won the girls’ event beating a field of over 50 seasoned runners. In the boys’ event, Janaka Lasantha came second and Duminda Prasad third while Harsha Priyani was fifth.

For a school which had never heard of a marathon three years ago and only confined to house meets, it is quite an achievement.

The school’s coach, Anusha Munasinghe took over in 1996 because there was nobody in charge. But she has never been in athletics, having only been a national netball poolist.

Twenty seven year old Anusha, a mother of a 7-year-old girl, introduced mini marathon to the school and the following year had produced 16 boys and girls

Her first success came in 1998 when Costa, a burly 14-year-old, against all odds won the mini marathon with a new school games record. She had another success when three of her athletes finished among the top ten in both the marathons which was more rewarding for her.

She said that most of her students are from the very underprivileged families and indulge in house work like rubber tapping and paddy field work after school. "I detected natural energy for endurance events and this was why I introduced a mini marathon event", she said.

She said that finances are a major problem for them and they could do better if they get some assistance. "We need nutritional goods and some good attire," she added.

One hopes that Anusha’s honest appeal will be heard and attended to by sponsors.

Anusha is the wife of former 1500m national record holder Ranjith Subasinghe who decamped in the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games. She is yet to undergo an athletic coaching course.

Meanwhile, the Men’s Marathon winner Chaminda Wijekoon too had a sad story of broken promises.

"I was told by the Amateur Athletic Association that I was selected for the ongoing Singapore Junior Asian Championship 5000 m and 10000 m events. I even made my passport, but found that I was dropped for no reason," he said in tears, after his victory.

Pitched against the defending champion, Chandana Wijemanne ran a well planned race to win his inaugural marathon title at the age of 18.

Seven new records

Meanwhile, the school games competition saw a total of 7 new meet records established. Two records were equalled, at the Matara Uyanwatte Stadium in this four-day event which saw over 3,000 boys and girls in the fray.

Among the pick of the records were the boys under 21 Putt Shot mark set up by Gavin Vansanden a student of St. Joseph’s, Colombo. He cleared 13.49 and bettered the former record of 12.88 metres.

The new records are 100 m U—21 Girls Tamara R. Dissanayake (Seevali MV) (5.5 sec.) Putt shot. U-15 Girls—Menada de Silva (St. Bridget’s) 8.58 M.

BOYS

100 m under-15 hurdles Indika Bandara (D. S. Senanayake) 14.4 m. Javelin under 17 — Mohamed Sameeer (St. Sebastian’s Kandana) 60.58 M.

Javelin under 19-K. Harshana Gunatillike (Tholangamuwa MV) 59.30 m.

Putt Shot U-21 G. Vansanden — (St. Joseph’s Colombo) 13.49.

Javelin under-21 K. H. G. C. Tillekeratne (Balangoda MV) 61.58 m.

Equalled

100 m under-17 girls hurdles — Krishanthi Jayatilleke (Vishaka, Colombo) 16.8 sec. (Her own record) 100 M

Lasan Lanarolle — (Ananda, Colombo) under 15 11.8 seconds.

Best athletes S. S. P. K. Gunawardene of Dudley Senanayake MV, Tholangamuwa and H. P. Sugani Buddhika of Theraputtha MV, Ambalantota were nominated as the best athletes of the All Island Schools Games at the Uyanwatte Stadium here last week. Ananda and Museaus, Colombo were the most outstanding boys and girls schools of the 4 day event.

Sugani came off in a breath taking performance in the 200 m event under wet and slippery conditions to run a life time best of 26.6 seconds, to be adjudged the best athlete.

Now coached by Sunil Gunawardane, she said that she aims to continue running the 200 m event.

Sumedha, coached by Cecilton Hettiarachchi, was nominated as the best athlete on his outstanding performance in the long jump when he cleared 6.88 meters. The 18 -year-old was out of the schools circuit due to injury for nearly 5 months and this is a good comeback.

Reginald Cooray, Deputy Minister of Education was the chief guest while Olivia Gamage, Director, Sports was the guest of honour.

Ananda and Musaeus triumph

Ananda College, Colombo with 129 points once again did well to clinch the overall boys School Games title while Henagama MV (59) and D. S. Senanayake MV (54) were placed second and third. Athukorale is coaching Ananda.

In the girls over all championship Museaus, coached by former SAF long jump medalist Dileema Peterson emerged victorious with 61 points. They were closely followed by St. Bridget’s (53) and Anuradhapura Central (46).

The relay boys championship was won by Ananda while Sumana BMV, Ratnapura won the girls relay championships.

Local parallel to Stephen Waugh — Jason Gillespie collision

In a First Test match between Sri Lanka and Australia played at Asgiriya in September 1999, Stephen Waugh, Australia’s Captain and Jason Gillespie were both injured whilst attempting a catch off Mahela Jayawardena in the square-leg area. Both were rushed to the hospital incapacitating them from taking further part in the game.

There was a similar incident in a match played locally at the Ananda Sastralaya Grounds, Kotte between the Present students and the Past Students of the school in their annual cricket match on March 27, 1960. The Past Students were led by Hemachandra Perera and Present Students by Oswald Yahampath.

When D. M. D. Gunasena of the Present School’s team lofted a delivery towards the overhead region both Donald Gunawardena fielding at long-off and H. D. S. Seneviratne fielding at long on ran enthusiastically for the catch in the process colliding with each other and neither being able to grasp the ball.

Seneviratne’s left elbow struck Gunawardena on the centre of his forehead causing both of them to fall after the impact. Gunawardena suffered extreme pain bleeding from his nose profusely and vomiting blood. Seneviratne experienced numbness on his left hand. Gunawardena was rushed to the General Hospital, Colombo where he was warded for 3 days. His vision was partially affected and had to undergo treatment after leaving the hospital. As a result of this mishap Gunawardena carries a permanent dent on the centre of his forehead. Prior to the collision Gunawardena had taken 3 wickets on opening the bowling for his side.

Donald Gunawardena was a right-arm medium pace opening bowler and a hard-hitting batsman who was a member of the Ananda Sastralaya team when leather-ball cricket was first introduced in 1953, under the captaincy of Hemachandra Perera. Ananda Sastralaya’s first inter-school match was with Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya.

Donald Gunawardena, who is 62 years of age, is a bachelor and resides at No. 105, Pagoda Road, Nugegoda whilst S. D. S. Seneviratne is employed in the Middle East.

— Maurice Goonesekera

CADA National Amateur Dancesport Championship — October, 1999

Students from leading dance schools are practicing enthusiastically for the most exciting and colourful event to be witnessed this year, when the Ceylon Amateur Dancesport Association — the National Body for Ballroom Dancing in Sri Lanka, registered under the Ministry of Sports will hold its final Championship for this Century at the Colombo Hilton on the 31st of October.

Dancesport will be a demonstration event at the next Olympics and will be included in the Olympic Games as a sport in future Olympics.

The exhibition of ten dance demonstration in Ballroom and Latin American by two international adjudicators from Australia’ Graeme Parsons & Leeanne Bampton, nominated by the International Dancesport Federation, who will also‘ along with Neil Gerrans from Hongkong judge this Championship — is eagerly awaited by all dance enthusiasts.

For the very first time, this National Championship will conduct an Open Event for participants from Honkong, Singapore and Malaysia and the cream of Sri Lankan dancers are looking forward to competing with these international amateur dancers on home ground.

International Distillers Lanka Ltd., who have supported the National Dancesport Championship since 1993 are cosponsors of this event.

The audience can look forward to sampling their ever popular product White Diamond in cocktails served by the Hilton on this day. The other cosponsors of this event are Sri Lankan Airlines, East West Marketing and ANZ Grindlays Bank. The electronic media sponsors will be MTV, Yes FM, Sirasa, Dynavision and the Host Hotel will be Colombo Hilton.

BOOK REVIEW
What a funny book for cricket fans

By Mahinda Wijesinghe
There are many facets of cricket which can be savoured by the millions of devotees of the sport. One such outstanding facet is the funny side of cricket. An ardent devotee of cricket, retired public servant, G. L. Wijesinghe, who has obviously been enjoying what the game has on offer has now decided to share the humour and fun with his fellow-devotees. The result? A highly amusing and an entertaining book titled THE FUNNY GAME OF TEST CRICKET (ISBN 955- 96586-0-3). If ever a cricket fan wanted a travel companion for a long train journey, or something to browse during a wait at the dentist, you will not pick anything better.

It has taken Wijesinghe two years of research to complete this book, and he has more in the pipe-line. A book of this type can only be compiled by a genuine lover of cricket. The gems he has uncovered will not only titillate, nay excite, the reader but also educate and enlighten. When one reads through the 200-plus pages of this book with a glossy coloured cover, you will gasp in wonder and have a laugh in equal measure.

Part one of the book deals with the Curiosities of Cricket, followed by ‘one hundred questions and notable ‘firsts’ in Test cricket’’ birthdays of ‘popular Test cricketers’, nicknames, double Internationals and about Test match grounds in Part Two. Part Three records the highlights of the first hundred Tests while Part Four pays tribute to Sir Donald Bradman and answers 100 questions listed in Part Two of the book. Quite a bagful for a mere Rs.450/-.

In compiling these anecdotes, coincidences, fascinating facts which amaze, and simply reproduce some other records, shows the all-round journalistic flair of the author. Wijesinghe, though having been a public servant in the Health Department for over three decades, states that he "entered the field of journalism as a free-lancer contributing analytical and constructive articles on the sport to the Island newspaper, cricket receiving the highest degree of attention." What he has failed to state is that, with his knowledge of the history of cricket, he very rarely fails to win most of the cricket competitions that are featured in local newspapers!

To reveal what the book has on offer would be spoil the reader’s fun. Most of the incidents Wijesinghe relates can be found in other books, but not between the one cover would one encounter such a rich collection of readable and enjoyable cricketing anecdotes. After all, in which book would one expect to browse through Don Bradman’s career of 52 Tests (full scorecards) and also acquaint oneself with the former caddy who bowled 98 overs in a Test match, or about the first Greek who played Test cricket, or find out about the Sri Lankan who scored a century and had 9 dismissals to his credit in the same Test match? Believe me, there is far more.

Obviously, this book was compiled by a cricket aficianado of the highest calibre, and the Sri Lanka Cricket Foundation had most graciously opened their library doors to the author for the necessary research, through the courtesy of the Executive Secretary and former national captain, Anura Tennekoon, who had also written the Foreword.

The only fly in the ointment is that a few errors, mainly printing, has entered this otherwise highly entertaining book. The author has included a correction slip, but in future, the author should ensure that such snags do not besmirch a labour of love. This book is a ‘must’ for all genuine cricket fans, read it and you will be left wondering about the author, as Goldsmith described the village schoolmaster, "how one small head could carry all he knew".

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