Thomian skipper Thevin follows in footsteps of Ernest Wanduragala
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History will be created at the 141st Battle of the Blues when Thevin Eriyagama leads his team out against Royal as he follows in the footsteps of his maternal great grandfather Ernest Wanduragala who captained S. Thomas’ with distinction from 1910-12.
It will be like a flash from the past as Thevin bears a striking physical resemblance to Ernest who was a well built wily right-arm bowler who took 28 wickets in the series and a renowned left-hand batsman. Young Thevin can gain inspiration from his great ancestor who played with P. Saravanamuttu and was considered the finest captain of his generation by M. Saravanamuttu, leading S. Thomas’ to two consecutive victories in the three years he captained. Ernest’s brother’s Richard and Charles also featured in the big match. Richard had a match bag of 14 for 76 in 1907 while while Charles also excelled with the ball in 1911, with S. Thomas’ winning both matches.
A fourth year coloursman and a fast bowling all-rounder himself, Thevin is a fine all-round sportsman indulging in athletics, swimming and earning rugby colours playing as a three quarter being awarded the Wasim Thajudeen Shield for the Best Player in 2015. He also represented College in squash.
“He was into all sports from small days especially cricket. When we used to go to our ancestral home in Padeniya, Embelegoda in Kurunegala during the school holidays, my father (Sydney Wandurugala) used to give him lot of advice and regale him about the exploits of his father Ernest. He encouraged my son from small days saying ‘you can do it some day’ and urging him to keep up his grandfather’s name,” said Sivanji Eriyagama, Thevin’s doting mother who proudly maintains century-old paper cuttings and records of Ernest Wanduragala’s feats.
She related a letter Warden Stone had addressed to Ernest Wanduragala which makes interesting reading: “My dear Earnest, I am leaving Ceylon on the 20th and before I go, I wish you success… You united in yourself the best of the Kandyans of Kurunegala and the Thomians who lived those great days. When cricket was an epic poem and not a mere labour and to be captain of S.T.C. was the highest of ambitions… I greatly admire your great innings against St. Joseph’s, when their umpires beat us? Yours sincerely “Warden Stone”.”
It has been reported that Ernest Wanduragala was specially permitted by Warden Stone to attend school matches to spot the weaknesses of leading batsmen whom he later dismissed in matches for S. Thomas’.
Thevin’s grandfather Sydney Wanduragala also played cricket at Sri Lanka Tea Control while his brother Palitha continued the family tradition playing in the 1961 big match while another brother represented Trinity taking a hat-trick against Royal.
Ernest Wanduragala seated in the team photo
“I am happy at the opportunity to be captain of S. Thomas’ which is a great honour. I am thankful to all my coaches and trainers and for my family members for giving encouraging me throughout my career,” said Thevin.
Thevin Bimsara Eriyagama is the second child in a family of three. His elder brother Naveen also represented College in rugger while his younger sister Tesalia attends S. Thomas’ sister school Bishop’s College just like her mother Sivanji.
Thevin was given all encouragement to pursue his career and live his dream by his father Ajith Eriyagama and Sydney’s sister Nilmani Wijegunardena who helped him throughout his career.
Hailing from a sporting family, Thevin’s grandmother Dulcie Dullewe represented Hillwood College, Kandy in tennis.
Thevin’s ultimate dream is to build a beautiful cricket stadium with all facilities for the benefit of Thomian cricketers.