| Kumar
Ramanathan – Never a nickel in the bin
By Bernie Wijesekera
The incessant rain was no bar. I was on my way to meet my good-old
pal Kumar Ramanathan, an elegant wicket-keeper batsman who excelled
for St. Benedict's and Colts CC. Finally I met Kumar at the picturesque
new-look Colts CC, where Kumar made his domain over two decades
ago.
At
present he has made his home Down Under. Since the untimely passing
away of his wife, Kumar is looking for a recreation to fill the
void and had found thus in the art of cricket coaching. At the same
time he is a picture of fitness and is still good for a gruelling
game of cricket at any time. He was a prolific run getter and he
has played with much success at home and away – in England
and Australia and also played in the Lancashire league in 1979 where
he was a leading run-getter. There he played along with the likes
of Geoff Lawson, Colin Croft, Franklin Stevenson etc.
Q.
Anything special about your school career and who coached you?.
A: I played under Felix Dias in 1966-'67. In 1968 captained St.
Benedict’s. Then I played for the Combined Schools under Anura
Tennakoon, in this team we had the likes of Lalith Gunaratne and
Sriyantha Rajapakse for the Sri Lanka Schools. Then the Benedictine
team that I led in 1968 had the likes of Tony Appadurai (a silky
batsman), Joe Saverimuthapulle, Lal Wickrematunga etc.
Q.
As a school boy the most unforgettable moment?
A:
I scored 56 n.o. for Combined Schools against a strong Indian XI,
led by M.L. Jaisimha. At school Mr. Bertie Wijesinghe was my coach,
one of the best in the trade. R.B. taught me the skills at school
level. But it was Mike Chanmugam who polished my rough edges at
Colts CC. Mike had a very good cricketing brain. Punctuality was
his codeword. And he had no favourites. I was coached by Laddie
Outschoorn and former England captain Brian Close also at school
level. But I rate Chanmugam ahead of them. In 1975 I was a member
in the Sri Lanka World Cup squad, coached by Aussie fast bowler
Grahame McKenzie. But I still vouch for Mike, he was the best to
me, had the know-how in all departments of the game.
Q.
What have you gained whilst playing for the Colts CC on and off
the field?
A: Enjoyed out to the hilt. My benchmark was as a top order batsman.
Besides my 'keeping' I was also useful medium pace bowler. While
playing for Colts I scored tons against all the leading sides like
SSC, NCC, Tamil Union, Bloomfield and Moratuwa SC where the cream
of Sri Lanka's national players were studded. The likes of Dennis
Chanmugam, D.L.S. de Silva, etc. (pace) spinners of the calibre
of Ajith de Silva, Lalith Kaluperuma, Ranil Abeynaike, Vijay Mahendran,
D.S. de Silva. It was a hard grind to earn the runs with players
of that nature.
Q.
What was your highest score?
A: I got 205 vs. SSC led by Anura Tennakoon, followed it up with
another 'ton' also against SSC 166 n.o. Then SSC was led by Duleep
Mendis.
Q.
You turned out to be an utility allrounder switching to bowling?
A: Yes. A hat-trick against NCC in a 'Sara' trophy game. Victims:
Ranjit Fernando, Lionel Fernando (Jnr.) and Ranjan Madugalle.
Q.
Individual contributions are the team success. Isn’t it?
A: Yes. The players must understand, if you don't perform individually
and don't play as a team, you don't win.
Q.
With all these efforts you were still overlooked?
A: The reasons may be best known to you. There are two sides to
a coin. Let's bury the Hatchet. I have no regrets. Enjoy playing
and maintained the spirit of the game on and off the field. But
I got the opportunity of representing the Board XI against visiting
teams. At the same time I was always a national poolist. Represented
Sri Lanka Under-25 team against Pakistan Under-25 led by Wasim Raja.
Played in the Gopalan Trophy match against Tamil Nadu. We were led
by Bandula Waranapura, here. Sri Lanka won the match without much
ado.
Q.
Was there a professional fee during your times at national or at
club level?
A: No. Money culture was not heard of. These negatives rob you of
results you want and the success you deserve. Try to eliminate these
false expectations from your mind. National players at all levels
I believe should carry in their bags a miniature national flag.
This reminds their main objective was to play hard and achieve success
for the country. This must be the bedrock and the road to success.
Q.
What have you got to say about Sri Lanka cricket and their poor
batting performances in the one-day series against India recently?
A: Particularly our batsmen are vulnerable to swing (moving ball).
This attributes lack of batting skills. The Indian pacemen exploited
this to the hilt. They must adjust themselves and improve their
skill levels.
Sri Lanka must strive to produce a bowler like former stalwart "King
of Swing" Mavan Pieris. He should be drafted. He could assist
our young bowlers. Most of the top order batsmen playing away from
the body fall easy prey in the cordon.Mental skill development is
a 'must'.
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