Aravinda the Existentialist

By Hemantha Warnakulasuriya

Sartre the French philosopher wrote "Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does." Aravinda to me epitomises an existentialist. Free as he cannot be imprisoned by convention. Free, as a bachelor sans any matrimonial or conjugal obligations . He is free as he is not a Christian. And therefore belongs to the second kind of existentialists, the atheistic existentialists, who think that existence precedes essence. Thrown into the wide wild cricketing world he is responsible for everything he does.

He is often misunderstood due to these qualities. He is now regarded as the best batsman in the world, an honour which evaded him, not due to any weakness in his technique, but due to the insignificant place Sri Lanka held geopolitically, a country best described as basket case. It was due to his sheer determination that we were able to win the World Cup. The glory should equally rest with him as with Arjuna. But still many in our own country are quick to accuse him of many a misdemeanour. The most despicable comment is that he is playing for money or for a prize car and not for the country. He still remains taciturn not making any effort other than with his bat to combat such criticism. He is envied when he travels in a flashy red limousine with bright lights and often in the company of a beautiful damsel. The envy and malice that have got a strangle hold of the nation pervade, and Aravinda is not exempt.

It was only recently that 'the Sinhala Commission demanded that the English people should apologise to our nation'. Excellent thought. If only we learnt from them the essence of English Culture, and threw away what is harmful, Sri Lanka would have been indeed a paradise. One trait we have failed to learn even from the English is gratitude.

Aravinda is the first Sri Lankan Cricketer, who was invited to play for a county as their overseas player. We heard that he has created an impression among our former Imperialist masters. The spirit with which the English people welcomed him was unbelievable.

Etched in their memory was the singular contribution Aravinda made to the county. The county match against Sri Lanka was publicised as a welcome to the most loved son of the county. When it was announced that Aravinda was going to bowl, the full house of whites who had paid more than 10 Sterling pounds to witness Sri Lanka play Kent applauded with civility. For none of them have forgotten the singular achievements of the diminutive little brown man from Lipton tea country; Aravinda.

They were not thinking of the red sports car he was driving or whether he was in the company of the most beautiful damsels in Kent. For them Aravinda was a cricketer who reminded them of the best they have seen for a long time. Aravinda's majesty lay with the ease with which he played the most difficult ball. He made it look so simple. The runs cascaded from his blade. One gentleman told me that there was much consternation among the members when his name was proposed as the overseas player for that year. Carl Hooper the West Indian all rounder was not available for that season. Every one asked Ara.. who? They belittled the proposal, and made it difficult for the committee to decide on him.

Later when he played for Kent in the early summer, without the Sun in cold blustery conditions Aravinda failed with the bat.As a Buddhist he must have prayed for sunshine not to one single God but to a pantheon. He assured his proponents, who were being tormented by his lack of form, that he would not fail them when the Sun would shine brightly on his back. By his sole efforts, Aravinda was able to forge Kent to be the leaders and nearly won it the Championship by his century played with grandeur and resplendent with cricketing strokes that made the English breathless. To them it did not matter who played those elegant drives. Aravinda is a household name among the English cricketing public. For them he epitomised the rugged, brutal conquest of their game, by some people from a distant place.

Till the World Cup Ceylon was known as Lipton's tea Garden: then in 1983 after the riots the notorious barbarous racist tribe who would kill another for race, after that the most ruthless guerrilla movement in the world, and now after the World Cup it is cricket and that magnificent batsman Aravinda and now Sanath and Murali.

When Aravinda went to bat, at Kent all the spectators rose from their seats and applauded him. It was sheer gratitude for the manner in which this little brown man single handedly brought them to the throes of victory. To those women who flocked to the ground with their score cards every weekend had nothing more memorable to write in them for a long time. Then Aravinda entertained them with a flourish of strokes and many of them would have been ecstatic with joy. This was one object lesson we ought to learn from the British Public, gratitude. At the end of the Kent season, there was an emotional farewell, and Aravinda's cricketing colleagues were so moved by the knowledge of his departure, that they broke their traditions and centuries of cultural restraints and cried like those lesser mortals of the orient. The benefit match was sufficient to present Aravinda with a sports car.

It was at Trent Bridge that I saw Aravinda captaining the Sri Lanka team when Arjuna was injured. I saw a new spirit that imbued the team. The team was working under the new leadership of Aravinda. South Africa had been our waterloo; our sole tormentor, we succumbed to the professional skills of the South Africans. The last tour was a disaster, and brought to light the inherent weaknesses of our team. We do not seem to have the killer instinct.

Sanath failed consistently with the bat against Donald and company. But at this match Sanath came out in blazing form and gave a crowd of over 7000 in the unfamiliar coloured cow boy kits, the blazing stroke play. After having scored 258, containing the South Africans remained with Aravinda. Aravinda's captaincy was of such quality, that his bowling changes and field placing clicked. It was great. At the most unexpected event was the opening burst which gave him three wickets and the man of the match award. Arjuna commented that it was a nice feeling to watch your side win with legs up from your dressing room. Aravinda masterly commanded the innings.

When England scored 445 runs at an extremely slow rate the English media castigated the batsmen for having played to be selected for the winter ashes tour. The spectators were so bored that they got some pleasure seeing a nude streaker, battling the security staff and avoiding being caught several times. When he was finally arrested there was a big booh from the crowd. When England finally scoed 445 some one who was seated with me told the nervous Sri Lankans, that 445 was no score on this placid pitch like a pancake. He said Aravinda alone will score runs for you, with a loud guffaw. But it was on the Saturday I saw a trait hitherto never seen by me in an International Cricket match. Aravinda and Sanath were going great guns with blazing strokes which kept the large English crowd happy. Aravinda was 47 and Sanath was 125. Stewart brought Ian Salisbury the only spinner. The media has been very unsympathetic to him because he failed to take a single wicket that summer. Suddenly Aravinda changed his stroke play and treated the bowler with respect. Of the seven maidens he bowled, he would have bowled at least four of them to Aravinda. Aravinda saw that he was extracting slow turn and he continued with the same array of strokes, Sanath would follow suit and get out playing uppishly. It was an object lesson of unselfish cricket, virtually demonstrating to his junior partner not be impetuous and play a false stroke. Aravinda took more time to complete his half century than Sanath to complete his One Hundred and Fifty. He did not bother that the entire spectator focus was concentrated on Sanath. The applause and plaudits were directed to his partner. He knew by instinct competing with Sanath would be the downfall of him and Sanath. He always came near Sanath and cautioned and applauded him. To Aravinda what mattered most was to fulfil his friend Arjuna's dream. To beat England in England. The partnership was full of camaraderie and respect for each other. It blossomed into the best partnership of the summer. Angus Fraser writing to the Sunday Telegraph said " as Jayasuriya and De Silva give us a batting lesson and punish every bad ball we bowl. This is hardest and least rewarding day of the summer."

The fact that he lost his Vice captaincy to Sanath did not mince him to play foul. As a true existentialist he coped with the situation, and that fact did never prevent him from encouraging Sanath to bat, and judiciously used him to bowl in the first match against South Africa.

We in Sri Lanka will only know his value the day he retires, due to age or lack of fitness. The service he rendered to Sri Lankan cricket would be remembered not by his century he scored at the World Cup but the manner in which he batted at the World Cup semi finals in Calcutta before One Hundred Thousand people, screaming for an Indian victory.

To Existentialism Sartre has contributed a classically brilliant French mind. To cricket Aravinda has contributed a classically brilliant innovative skill rarely found in this island. Though he may be not the leader of world cricket he is the leader of the present generation of batsmen. As Sartre won him a wider audience in philosophy, Aravinda has by his inborn skills earned the plaudits of many connoisseurs of cricket. His attitude to life may have earned the wrath of the conventional orthodoxy. This trait alone shows that he is a cricketing genius and existentialist.

'Murali' to lead Tamil Union

By Bernie Wijesekera

Tamil Union will honour four of their cricketers, who were members of the triumphant Sri Lanka team which toured England recently, at a dinner to be held at the Tamil Union premises (P. Sara Stadium) on September 25 (Friday) at 7.30 PM.

The cricketers to be hounoured are: spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan, Upul Chandana, Niroshan Bandaratilleke, and Mario villavarayan.

A distinguished gathering is expected according to the president of the Tamil Union S. Skandakumar, which will include some past celebrities. Dinner tickets are available at the clubhouse.

P. Saravanamuttu, a doyen of Sri Lanka cricket, converted this one -time marshy land into a beautiful playing field. In turn it helped to uplift the cricketing image in the country, where the historic inaugural Test was played against England in 1982, after Sri Lanka gained Test status.

'Sara', with his own men and material, converted the ground to be tagged as one of the best, international grounds in the world.

Apparently today, it's found not good enough even for one-day internationals. In the hour of need, the P. 'Sara' Stadium was the only venue, available to stage an international match.

Tamil Union has given playing opportunities for outstation cricketers namely Athula Samarasekera, Dileepa Wickremasinghe, Upul Sumathipala, Chandika Hathurusinghe, Sunjeewa Weerasinghe, Promodaya Wickremasinghe, who were nursed and nurtured at the start of their career at the playing fields of the P. 'Sara' stadium.

Some of them have left, for reasons best known to themselves. But one must not forget the people, who helped them to go places in life on and off the field. One cannot reach the top from the top, but from grasroot levels.

In the past Tamil Union had some great cricketers, who did proud for the country.

Undoubtedly the most outstanding was M. Sathasivam - a legend in Sri Lanka cricket. Pity there was no one-day cricket at that time. He could have hit the top in the CEAT ratings be it in the overs game or at Test level with his carefree batting.

In the present context Tamil Union is proud to have in its midst 'Murali', leading Test wicket taker in the country and one of the frontline spinners in the world. Muttiah Muralitharan told The Sunday Times, that he is well aware from where he started life. "It was my parents, who goaded me and the teachers at St. Anthony's Katugastota. I will never forget them. I owe them a debt of gratitude. It is, too difficult to forget them."

Like late Duncan White, the Trinity legend, who led a simple life to the end 'Murali', the spinning wizard, too believes in the same pattern of life.

'Murali' finally said "I started my cricket at the Tamil Union after leaving school and I will finish with them and nowhere else. My unstinted loyalty is for the club, which paved the way to stardom.

Incidentally 'Murali' has been elected captain of the Tamil Union, Upul Chandana is his deputy. Next year 'Murali' will have a short stint with Lancashire, in the County Championship after the World Cup, where Sri Lanka will defend the title.

Napoleon of Lanka cricket

By Peter Roebuck

It takes an extraordinary man to effect a transformation. Barely five years ago the Sri Lankans were a gifted, awe-struck and entertaining bunch of cricketers, capable of an occasional victory, especially on their own pitches, but unlikely often to upset the apple cart. In short, they were country cousins.

On tour they could only afford fish and chips. They called their manager, ''Sir,'' and at school were taught to address umpires similarly and to apologise, upon an appeal being turned down, for troubling them. This is not quite the case, for instance, in Australia.

And then along came Arjuna Ranatunga, a roly-poly character, in those days anyhow, and accordingly assumed to be genial. Instead he has turned out to be Napoleonic as he stands imperturbable, almost immobile, on the field directing operations and putting his calm upon affairs like a blanket upon a fire.

Meanwhile, a young team scurry around him, 'Murali' scampering in the field, 'Kalu' darting from behind the sticks, 'Chaminda' pounces, when he is fit, and the rest of them full of enthusiasm, except Aravinda de Silva, of course, a man with as much aplomb as his captain, though without his foxiness.

In hindsight this sagacity and stillness might have been anticipated from early sightings of the young Ranatunga. Not that he was ever quite young, for such fellows start planning their next move in the womb. Not for this generously built youngster, though, a cheerful biff and a gurgled pint. From the start he was all angles and placements, his runs coming along like the constant ticking of a clock steadfast in a storm. Suddenly it was easy to remember that cricket does not flow alone in his blood, for politics has its place too, his father in the Cabinet and Arjuna expected to follow, although it is an ambition he denies.

Ranatunga has been a superb captain. He has taken Sri Lankan cricket, not just his team, from promise to toughened maturity. To him, as to Sunil Gavaskar, it was not enough to charm or to sigh, let alone to lose. He set his path towards victory, and, choosing his men carefully and trampling upon all opposition, he kept to it. At various times he has fought against politicians, administrators, colleagues, opponents, journalists and Australian cricketers, who detest him because they think him crafty and likely to emerge smelling of roses, which, of course, he often does.

Nor has Ranatunga failed to meet the Australians on their own terms. He has accused them of passing nasty remarks on the field, a charge hotly denied, and was furious in a one-day match to be denied a runner, the opposing wicketkeeper recommending instead that he partake of fewer curries. Lively debate ensued. Hereabouts it was easy to recall that, in Hindu mythology, Arjuna is a great soldier.

Such moments pass by but they did signify a change in Sri Lankan cricket. No longer were they going to be pushed around than pushovers. Ranatunga intended to play with an apologetic aggression. Moreover, he radiates confidence in himself and his team. It is part of his strength that he can see the merits of his players better even than he can detect their flaws. And he is both a tactician, realising the importance of the minute, and a strategist capable of plotting and planning.

Clearly something special was needed if Sri Lankan cricket was truly to grow. His team had to prove themselves. Most particularly they needed to win an important trophy, as India had in 1983. It was in Australia, a few months before the last World Cup, that Ranatunga and his aides decided to turn orthodoxy on its head by sending out their boldest players against the new ball. Such ideas are occasionally conceived. Mostly they disintegrate in reason's unkind light. Ranatunga had the nerve to put his plan into action, sending out Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana with instructions to attack from the start. If they failed, never mind.

Suddenly every player knew his role. Sri Lanka began to play some astonishing cricket and their momentum took them past England, past India and into a final where the mighty Australians were overwhelmed. The last few runs were scored by De Silva, in sublime form, and Ranatunga himself, chipping along in his canny way. And then all Sri Lanka celebrated. Nor did it stop there, as 'Jaya' continued in his thrilling way, breaking records and helping his team to numerous victories. Indeed it has not really stopped yet. Still it was not enough for Ranatunga. He wanted more. He wants his country to be the strongest Test nation in the world, and challenged them to achieve this target by the year 2000. He now realises it cannot be done because his bowling, depleted by injuries, is not strong enough.

Nonetheless, he has taken Sri Lankan cricket to its fulfilment. Already he is cricket's longest-serving player. He says he will carry on until the World Cup next year. Perhaps Sri Lanka will not win this time, but they will compete and they will play as a team, and a team led by the shrewdest man around.

What about other athletes?

Sports Minister rewards relay quartet

By Bernie Wijesekera

In a fitting gesture the Minister of Sports Mr. S. B. Dissanayake has rewarded athlete W. Wimaladasa and the 4 X 400 metres relay team which won a gold and also set up a new Asian Games mark in Tehran in 1972.

Wimaladasa, running in exemplary fashion, also created a new Asian Games record in the individual 400 metres with a time of 46.21 secs., to win the event.

The gold winning relay team consisted of D. A. Premachandra, K. T. Sahabandu, Sunil Gunewardena and Wimaladasa.

Wimaladasa, a product from Alawwa, blossomed into an international class athlete after joining the Army. He had to work hard to reach stardom. He is a legend now. Minister Dissanayake, who is doing much to uplift sports in the country rewarded Wimaladasa with Rs. 500,000,- 400,000 for his gold winning record run in the 400m and another 100,000 for his record breaking last lap in the relay.

The other members in the relay team, too received Rs 400,000 each.

But surprisingly how come the hierarchy failed to recognise the prowess of three great athletes, who also put Lanka's image in the world map - legendary Duncan White - the silver medallist (the only medal winner) in Olympics in 1948 second to Roy Cochran with a time of 51.8 secs and won a 'gold' in the Empire Games, in 1950 in the 440 yards hurdles with a new mark of 52.5 secs,

N. Ethirveerasingham with a 'gold' in the Tokyo Asian Games when he went over 6' 7" in the high jump a (New record) an all-time great from Jaffna.

The third athlete is S. L. B. Rosa, Long distance maestro from Ampitiya. Rosa, bagged two 'golds' at the 1970 Bangkok Asiad - in the 5,000- 14min 32.2 secs and 10,000 'gold' with a new time of 29 minutes, 55.6 secs. These three athletes apparently did not catch the electronic eye of those people in sports hierarchy, when rewarding the past greats.

It is sad to note that these athletes made a great sacrifice to do proud for the country. But they have gone unheard and unsung.

There may be others too who have excelled in track and field sports, but they may have not won a 'gold' with new records like the above trio.

White, is not in our midst today, he passed away recently. He was here on March 1, 1998 for the Duncan White Award Ceremony, which was awarded to Susanthika Jayasinghe, by the Duncan White Sports Foundation.

Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, who was the chief guest paid a glowing tribute to late Duncan White and the hardships he had to undergo while at Trinity even to buy a pair of running shoes, unlike the present day athletes, who are mostly sponsored. Simplicity was his codeword. Even Kadirgamar has emulated these qualities of White today in the high power of politics. Both are Trinity 'Lions'.

Another fine sportsman from Royal, who also addressed the audience, C.V. Gooneratne too a Cabinet Minister called upon the youngsters to follow the footsteps of White. It will be a fine gesture, if Minister Dissanayake honours this great legend, who shunned caste, race or colour put up a memorial of White, at the Ministry grounds, at Torrington Square, which will be a lasting memory for this legend, who hailed from a less affluent home at this venue where Sri Lanka's future young prospects train. Seeing White's memorial will drive home the nail - to be truthful and lead a simple life.

International Lanka Marathon on November 29

Lanka Sportsreizen together with a leading Sports Promoter from Germany will organise the first International Marathon Sri Lanka.

This event will be held on November 29 starting at 5 a.m. from the historic city of Galle which is a World Heritage site.

The Amatuer Athletic Association has given its blessings to the organisers and has assured its fullest co-operation and assistance.

The Ceylon Tourist Board has agreed to provide all the assistance to overseas promotion together with AirLanka which will function as the official carrier providing the organisers with support by providing a special package to the competitors from all parts of the world providing complimentary air transportation facilities to a large number of media personnel who are expected to be in Sri Lanka to cover the race, and also transporting all the brochures to their overseas destinations at no cost to the organisers.

The Southern Provincial Council and the Southern Development Authority will co-operate with Lanka Sportsrizen to make this event a success as it is expected to boost the image of Sri Lanka. The Southern Province Hotel Reef Comber which is the official hotel together with the Hikkaduwa Hoteliers Association will provide accommodation to the participants and the others who are expected in Hikkaduwa during this period.

Nestle Lanka Limited, who are well experienced in organising Marathons in Sri Lanka have very generously offered their sponsorship to Lanka Sportsreizen.

Boost to Tennis Smash

CR and FC, with a rugby tradition spanning for over 75 years, will spread their wings to promote a new sport for the first time - Tennis Smash '98 to be staged at their own courts. It will be held from October 3 to 11.

With a view to giving playing opportunities for all age groups - (7 to 70 years) at competitive level, no ranked players, who have won titles in their respective age groups, will be allowed to participate. This was revealed at a press briefing, chaired by Lal de Silva, in association with Kenneth Jayasinghe (Gen. Secretary CR and FC), D.M.D. Abeygunawardena (Asst. Sec.), Gihan Dalpadadu, R. Subramaniam and Tilak Abeysinghe, at their boardroom.

De Silva, said that this first venture by the red shirted club has received tremendous support allround. The main sponsors are: Prestige Automobile (Pvt) Ltd., agents for B.M.W. and Rover, and Master Divers. But there are quite a number of co-sponsors, who have come forward to help the club in this first venture - one to be remembered. There are awards aplenty for the participants. Hemachandra Jewellers will give a gift voucher to all winners over 18 years. A.A. (International) Opticians will present a gift voucher for all participants. R.S. Hartley and Co., (Pvt) Ltd., Avolon Paper Trades (Pvt) Ltd., American President Lines, The Chand and Textrand Trading (Pvt) Ltd. too will be in the prizes. - BW

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