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Those were the days, my friend
In the past gap between schools and clubs was narrow- Kaluperuma
By Bernie Wijesekera
It was the inaugural Test for Sri Lanka way back in 1982. It was a new leaf turned out for Sri Lanka cricket which already had an history in the game for over one hundred years. Yet again it was also Sri Lanka first inning in the Test arena and walking into bat was young seventeen year old schoolboy Arjuna Ranatunge who ended up making a memorable half century against the visiting English bowlers. It was the standard of Sri Lanka school cricket in that era.

"During our times the gap, between schools and clubs were narrow" said, Lalith Kaluperuma present national selector and a former Sri Lanka allrounder in an interview with "The Sunday Times".

The game at school level was very competitive and keenly fought out for all to enjoy. Incidentally Kaluperuma, an old Nalandian, who had an excellent record and later went on to be a member of the First World Cup Sri Lanka team led by Anura Tennekoon staged in London in 1975. Later played in the inaugural test in 1982 against England here, at the P. 'Sara' Stadium, skippered by Bandula Warnapura in which Arjuna Ranatunge was involved in that memorable knock.

He was a bowling allrounder and played for Bloomfield, too. The national selector was not a happy man. In his younger days he saw and also was involved in more quality cricket at junior level. He mused "At present there is quantity. There are two sides to a coin. Most of the schools during my time had quality players, who could have walked into any club team. As schoolboy cricketers they had the skills to match against the best. Even could find their way to the national team. Talent scouts drawn from the clubs watched school cricket to spot talented players, who could in turn could be drafted to their respective club teams. They were afforded with job opportunities. In the past it was doubly difficult to play for the country at the same time".

Kaluperuma continued "One had to prove his mettle all round. We were able to enjoy and maintain the spirit of the game to the end. Cricket was a great leveller. No winners or losers. In the end - all were winners. The reason for this was there was no competitive cricket. Only ten matches including the big match. Today some schools play over over 15 to 18 games for the season, at competitive level. Some of them are big yawns with hardly any crowd gathered to witness the games. There were no coaches and competitive cricket at juvenile and junior levels. As kids we played softball cricket in our own backyard, and enjoyed it to the fullest. On our own we improved our natural ability".

The former Nalandian cricketer agreed that players in the calibre of C.I. Gunasekera hadn't coaches when they indulged at junior level. The ball was meant to be hit and they did just that. Today the kids are being stretched to their limits at the nets. Apparently they are mechanised. This attributes to competitive cricket limited overs games. The bowlers are taught to bowl flat to contain the batsmen and to win at all costs. There are no genuine spinners who could hurl a floating delivery to bemuse the batsman.

This is a major setback for the development of the game and for its future betterment. Stepping back into his school shoes Kaluperuma said "We were fortunate to have been coached by late Gerry Gooneratne. He was humble, polite even with his communication. He never curbed natural play. Just taught the basics and polished the rough edges. Never used a remote control from the pickets to advise the captain or the bowler pertaining to field placing etc. One had to learn by his own mistakes. Of course he gave a pep talk before the match and after the game to educate the players if there are any shortcomings. Mr. Gooneratne had the practical experience and the knowhow. All schools during our times had experienced coaches.

The question was "What are your observations pertaining to quantity.....? To this he said "It’s good for the game as its wings have spread islandwide. There is talent no doubt. To harness quality players from the rural districts, it needs a proper structure with a professional management. This includes training, facilities including grounds and coaches of high standards."

The next question from The Sunday Times was "There is a big gap at present between national and club cricket. Even club-wise there is quantity - more clubs unlike the few reputed clubs in the past?. In answer Kaluperuma said "It's good the players need clubs to play. Here again they need the facilities. The clubs lack the basic facilities - nets to practise. They are running from pillar to post at much expense. This is not confined to clubs, but even to some of the less affluent schools, too."

Commenting on the present national cricket Kaluperuma had this to say "Sri Lanka Cricket has world-class players second to none among the best in the world cricket. Lankans as a team are doing well in both disciplines at present. Its good work has to be continued. Harness talented players and improve them physically, mentally and technically. Give them the exposure at the correct time. It's a good thing to encourage the rural youth to indulge in the willow-wielding sport. In the process bring about a large quantity of rural cricketers to the mainstream and churn them to be quality players. To achieve this must have a proper infrastructure. There may be many Sanath Jayasuriyas and Muralitherans to further boost Sri Lanka's image internationally" concluded Kaluperuma.

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