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bowling pioneer Rumesh Ratnayake
Made us counted when it mattered
By Bernie Wijesekera
It was an era when Sri Lanka cricket in the big league was still
in its infancy. At the same time it was also an era when Sri Lanka
was not famous for its fast bowlers. Yet, Rumesh Joseph Ratnayake
that young man from St. Peter’s College with a sling arm action
had the knack of producing that unplayable ball even to the world’s
most prolific batsmen at that time. West Indian batsman Larry Gomes
who once ended up with a broken jaw off his bowling, will tell about
it!
Now
he leads a humble life with his growing family at Wellawatte. When
the Sunday Times met him, after much persuasion, he agreed to speak
out his mind about his cricketing life. It was at St. Peter's that
he really got the head start. The school had produced some of the
best in the trade the likes of the Late Mike Chanmugam, Dr. Darrel
Weinman, Pat Kelly, HIK Fernando (Asia's best wicket-keeper batsman
at that time), dynamic lefthander Clive Inman, Darrel Wimalaratne,
Amal Silva, Vinothan John, Tony Opatha, Roy Dias, David Heyn, Brian
Senevirate just to name a few.
Rumesh
is hard as oak on the field, but soft as a petal off the field.
At the same time he was a volatile fast bowler who had knocked the
day lights out of the likes of John Wright, Clive Lloyd and diminutive
West Indian batsman left-handed Larry Gomes etc. Against one of
his vicious "thunderbolts" Gomes bleeding profusely had
to run for medical attention.
Q:
Who coached you?
A: As a juvenile it was late Benjamin Leonidas. Later Mike
Chanmugam, Dr. H.I.K. Fernando, Brian Seneviratne. Even Tony Opatha
assisted me. I can't forget my past.
Q:
What's your most unforgettable moment in your career?
A: In 1985 against India led by Kapil Dev, we posted our
first test win under Duleep Mendis, at the P.'Sara' Stadium, I held
a fantastic catch to dismiss Dev and also had a match-bag of 9 wickets.
It was a great team effort.
Q:
Any other noteworthy efforts?
A: The thrilling win over India in an ODI played in Sharjah,
in 1990. The game was slipping away from us with 66 runs to be made
in 36 balls. I walked in at No. 9 and joined Arjuna Ranatunga. Indian
fans and the media looked confident of winning and were packing
their bags. Arjuna and I had the last laugh. Arjuna smashed 3 sixers
off Manoj Prabahkar, in one over. I swung the ball around for a
couple of fours. Made 26 n.o., Sri Lanka won the match.
Besides that we for the first time won an ODI against Australia
at the MCG (Victoria). Sri Lanka was led by Duleep Mendis, the Aussies
by Alan Border. I took 4 for 37 and was adjudged the man-of-the
match, it was in 1985.
In my Lord's debut in 1991 under Aravinda de Silva (Test) against
England led by Grahame Gooch, I Took 5 for 62 and made 52 runs.
But still we lost the match. During my era we never made excuses.
Always put the country before self. My best bowling effort in test
cricket was 6 for 66 against Australia in Hobart, in 1989-'90. The
team was led by Ranatunga.
Q:
Who were your cricketing idols?
A: Viv. Richards, Gary Sobers, John Snow and Dennis Lillee.
Besides bowling at Viv, he was a great batsman to watch. The faster
you bowl at him the harder he smashes you. He preferred to knock
you out, than get out. That was Richards - the maestro.
Q:
What about Sri Lanka cricket, now and then?
A: Undoubtedly it has reached enormous heights at present.
This is due to the invaluable information available now-a-days to
enhance one's skill levels, to great lengths. At the same time they
are also rewarded much more than in the past. Cricket has become
an industry. All sports I could say hadn't a professional outlook
in the past.
Q.
Then why are we going through this bad patch?
A: This is not unusual. Every cricketing nation has to
face now or later. However Sri Lanka is dragging far, too long.
But we have competent people at the helm of the team, to pull it
through and overcome these setbacks. We need to be specific, in
addressing our issues at the moment. The players on their own must
strive to overcome their shortcomings.
Q.
Don't you think that pace in the ODIs is not everything?
A: You are right. Variation of pace along with a slower
ball and appropriate line and length according to the situation
of the game must be applied. I personally think these are not happening
consistently at the moment. The issue has to be eradicated completely.
No-balls and wides are a bonus for the opponents to accelerate the
run-rate. This was one of the main issues, why we lost some of the
matches in the recent past.
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