The University team that beat them all
View(s):By Maxie Kariyawasam
If Mario Lanza was alive and kicking today, I think he would surely break out into his hit song ‘Come` – Prima’ (for the 1st time) in celebration of the University winning the P. Saravanamuttu Trophy for the one and only time in the 1962/63 season. The team was led by Carlyle Perera. He rallied his team around him to win local cricket’s plum – the P. Sara Trophy. He didn’t just simply lead the team but led from the front, scoring over 500 runs that season.
University skipper Carlyle Perera
I will now give you the Pen-Sketchers of the playing XI.
Dr. Barclay Reid (Also known as Buddy) (Vice Captain). He headed the team’s batting averages and led the All-Ceylon side as Michael Tissera, was down to skipper the side but he was unable to play due to an operation.
Mano Ponniah: Thomian opening bat, played for Cambridge University later.
W.J.S. De Mel: Royalist aggressive opening bat.
Nihal Gurusinghe: Thomian. Correct bat and very elegant to watch when set. Good fielder in the slips.
Lareef Idroos: Thomian. All-rounder leading leg-spin bowler who took 34 wickets that season.
Cyril Earnest: Benedictine. Represented the school in cricket, hockey and track and field and represented the university in both cricket and hockey. Played for the ceylon team that beat the MCC in 1969. Also played for the U.S.A. in 1999 against Canada.
Mohanlal Fernando: Anandian. Opening bowler, who swung the ball both ways, and lower order batsman.
V. Sivanandan: A fabulous wicketkeeper and a lower order bat At that time he was the only outstation cricketer to represent the University from St. John’s Jaffna.
U.R.P. Goonetilleke: Thomian — a solid opening bat. Fielded in the covers and bowled medium paced cutters when necessary.
Hasha Samarajiva: Royalist, Opening bowler with a vicious bumper who made it uncomfortable for the early batsman. Lower order batsman close in-fielder.
K. Wimalaratne: Royalist, Stubborn batsman and medium pace bower who fielded in the outfield. Nanda Senanayake: Royalist. Superb all-rounder, Middle-order bat and off-spinner, who fielded in the covers.
Kingsley Fernando: St. Sebastian’s Moratuwa. A dashing bat. And leg spinner and excellent close in-fielder.
Six of these men played for the national team. I wonder what I am to say about future University teams that will emulate the 62-63 season. I will have to recall another great hit song “Que Sera Sera” (Whatever will be… will be).
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