Cop halts traffic to chat to Wally Hammond

By Bruce Maurice

During their 1946-'47 tour of Australia, the 2nd Test was played at the SCG. One evening when the English side was returning to their hotel after play ended, in the fleet of cars loaned to them, Hammond was at the wheel of the front vehicle as they were approaching a very busy intersection. There was a young cop on duty at this intersection and he had rivers of traffic rushing at him from all directions. But somehow he spotted Hammond, put both hands up and stopped everything.

He then walked over to Hammond's car, placed his hand on the window and asked, ''well how did you fellows do today?'' Hammond and the others in the car did not know where to look, as traffic was piling up in a vast jam from all directions. Drivers of the other vehicles were tooting their horns and it sounded like a Quens Hall orchestra in a nightmare. But that young cop could not care less.

''You fellows like a winner for the races tomorrow?'' he asked. But without waiting for a reply, he pulled a newspaper out of his pocket and insisted they write down the names of the horses that he was going to give them. He hummed and hawed over every horse and gave them a tip for every race. At last he folded the paper, put it into his pocket and with a big smile and a cheery, ''I'll see you later", took his own sweet time to stroll back to his post.

By now the traffic jam was worse than any jam seen in any city, even in the days before traffic lights and the noise was deafening. But that cop just smiled at every one and proceeded to sort that traffic out with the expert abstraction of a juggler seeing to it that the cars carrying the MCC cricketers were out of that awful vortex before any of the other vehicles.

And that is what Australians are. Be it cricket, war or just life, they didn't give a tinker's damn.

How Colin Blythe came into Test cricket

During the last few years of the nineteenth century and the dawn of the twentieth, there was a left arm spin bowler who used to play for a village club in Kent. The batsmen of other village teams could not make head or tail of his bowling and by that his team used to eat up every side that played against them. His name was Colin Blythe and he was one of those ''once in a lifetime bowlers''. But the biggest tragedy was that though others realized it, Blythe himself could not.

Every summer his friends used to almost beg of him to ask the county for a trial. But all their pleadings fell on deaf ears. One day his parish priest told him in no uncertain terms, that when the next season started, he had to go and ask for a trial whether he liked it or not. Now if Blythe disobeyed his own father, he would never dare disobey the parish priest.

When the next season started, the county side were at the nets at Blackheath, a slight, frail looking fellow went onto the ground and from a distance was watching every batsman carefully. He was wearing a pair of slacks he had borrowed, but which was far too small for him. Nevertheless in a very much better condition than any of the pairs that he owned and a pair of tennis shoes that would have made the manufacturers of them hide their faces in shame.

The captain and aristocrat of Kent cricket at this time was McCanlis. Noticing Blythe he asked very sternly, ''What do you want here boy?'' Blythe started and stammered, ''May I try a few at them Sir?'' Realizing what he had done only when he heard his own voice. McCanlis then noticing that Blythe was nervous, said kindly, ''Alright, but keep them up or you will be hit.'' Blythe picked up a ball, looked hard at it, walked back a few paces, came in, brought his arm over and released the ball. The batsman leapt out to hit it, was beaten all ends up and was bowled. There was dead silence as everyone stopped and stared at Blythe, who was now turning red, while the batsman was grinding his teeth. The next two balls were played down and then came the fourth. The batsman took one look at it, decided it was straightforward, and swung with all his might, not only intending to hit Blythe out of Blackheath but over the White Cliffs of Dover. But again he missed and heard the death rattle behind him.

McCanlis then walked over, slapped him on the back and said, ''go on boy, this is becoming bloody interesting.'' Blythe went on bowling a few more overs and none of the batsmen could make head or tail of him. McCanlis then caught him by his arm and said, ''Come with me boy,'' and took him to the committee room and did not allow either the committee or Blythe to budge an inch until a contract was drawn up right then and there for Blythe to sign. And that was how Colin Blythe came into first class cricket.

Blythe possessed a strange temperament. He hardly spoke a word during a match. He would spend all his time watching batsmen and analysing them. So that when he came into bowl, he knew exactly what he had to do.

Apart from being a great bowler, he was also a superb violinist and could have made a living playing the violin. But then cricket was his first love. In one match when Kent were playing Surrey, the scores were level and Blythe was given the last over. Just as he was to bowl the first ball, he told a fieldsman, ''this is going to be my first tie.'' The very first ball was spooned up and Blythe took an easy, one handed caught and bowled.

When the war broken out in 1914, Blythe was reaching the height of his career and the shock of it made him realize that life was all not cricket. Blythe joined the Army although he hated it and was killed in action in 1917.

Reflections on running

Canyonlands to make amends next time

By Ismail Khan

Sir Michael Stoute's Canyonlands making his debut on Thursday last 17/9 at Newbury in the opener of the afternoon was beaten only 1 1/2 lengths by D. Loder's Berlioz and that run having brought him on is sure to do better on his subsequent outing.

Kept on a tight rein all along by Ray Cochrane the Sheikh Mohamed owned two year old came through well in the final furlong but was not given his head further being contend to take second spot. His run was so promising some racing pundits are thinking of next term's 2000 Guineas chances for him being rosy. The winner Berlioz ridden by Dettori went all out to score there being nothing left in reserve. Think nothing of Berlioz but very highly of Canyonlands.

Jimmy Gosden's Russian Revival the winner of the Dubai Duty Free Cup worth £50,000 took the race in a hectic finish the judges calling for the photo finish plate to nominate the winner. But he ran well to merit consideration next time out too though a short head scorer.

Sixteenth to Elnadim at Newmarket on 9/7 carrying 9.5 Russian Revival ridden by Ray Cochrane driven away furiously after being in the bunch most of the time wore down the leaders and getting upto Kahal the early leader beat him to the post on the post. Such a facile win it was that I recommend him to be followed whenever he runs next time and the next too. He has a few more races to be won for his sporting owner M. Al Maktoum.

Ian Balding's Scorned ridden by S. Whitworth a three year old having finished runner up to Indikator at Baden Baden, Germany on 30/8 took his chances in the Doubleprint Arc Trial a Listed even worth £ 50,000 and won it handsomely from Pat Eddery ridden Taipan at 7/1. He had the race won a furlong from home and drew away in the closing stages to put it beyond doubt winning by three lengths. And this George Stranbride youngster is another strong tip to be followed in subsequent outings. Taipan, sorry to say, did not get the necessary assistance from the saddle to do justice to favouritism. Taipan needs strong handling but he did not get it although his pet rider was on him.

Another Ian Balding three year old in Night Shot (M. Hills) missed his target by a length in the Dubai Airport World Trophy another Listed event worth £ 50,000 being beaten by Pat Eddery ridden Cathedral closer home. Fourth to Cadeaux Cher last essay Night Shot was baulked of an opening in the closing stages hence having to take the consolation berth. Next time out with better handling and a trouble free run I expect this three year old to win hands down.

B. Hanbury's Murghem (K. Fallon) runner-up twice over recent runs latest beaten by Alberich on 13/9 at York once again had to be content with second place this time behind Reg. Hannon's Churlish Charm who beat her by a lengh.

A backmarker most of the way Murghem let loose two furlongs from home in the two mile Tripleprint Handicap came with a devastating run but could not overhaul the winner Churlish Charm who had already wrapped up the race. The best distance for this three year old would be 14 furlongs and it would be worthwhile following her over this distance.

The third in this race Sweetness Herself trained by M. Ryan also needs watching as she too ran a forward race.

The others to watch from the Newbury runs of 17/9 are: Mole Creek and Sweet Sorrow runner-up and third to La Tiziana in the last race of the day the Bonusprint Fillies Handicap over the middle distance.

That's all for today. Next week I hope to give you some horses from Ireland too. So watch these columns for more reflections on runnings.

Saverimutto brothers excel in rugby

By Bernie Wijesekera

Alastair Saverimutto, the 28-year-old star, who is a member of the West England rugby team ( who took part in the Singer Cup inter-club international championship) is the son of the famous Old Josephian cricketer Len who stood out for the Darley Road school as a carefree batsman from 1958-'60.

Len's three boys, Alastair, Christopher and Robin all stood out in sports like their father, but not in the willow wielding sport where their father stood out for the Joes, which team included Raja de Silva, late Hillary Marcelline, Eardley, Percy Mendis, Placidus Liyanage.

But the three boys opted for rugby and played at International level. Alastair, who has played for England under-19 and 21, excelled for the first XV teams while turning out for Bath, Bristol and Gloucester in the British League (top division).

Alastair, a dazzling fly-half, who is a Senior Technical Coach for the English Clubs, was interviewed by The Sunday Times after their tie against CH&FC, where the visiting team notched up a superb win to enter the final after a closely contested game, one of the best seen in recent times.

A versatile sportsman Alastair, though settled down in England with his family (married with three children) and born to an Irish mother, wants to give back to the country, where his father was born and bred.

Q: How are you going to help Sri Lanka rugby, now that you are settled down in England?

A: There is nothing impossible, if one has the will power and prepared to organise one's life.

My father has made his mark on and off the field, thanks to his old school and to his motherland. I will give back something in whatever way for the further development of this beautiful sport 'rugby' which is a great crowdpuller world-wide and in Sri Lanka.

I am prepared to serve as technical coach and play for a club. The game has shown tremendous improvement here, unlike in the past. It impressed me a lot with the local players technical knowhow - on par to international standards.

Sri Lanka's representative in UK (of the SLRFU) Mohan Samarasinghe, who was instrumental in getting the West England and Bristol University teams to participate, will communicate with the hierarchy to make my services available, for the further development of the sports here.

Given the opportunity, though I am not born in Sri Lanka, I will give my unstinted support for the country, where my father was born.

Further my father Len, who still has close connections here, though domiciled in England has promised to give me all encouragement to make it a reality.

Q: Your two brothers Christopher and Robin, in what sport have they excelled?

A: Both played for Ireland and for England in the Five Nations tournament.

They were members in the World XV team, in the Ian Evans testimonial match, which team included Jonaa Lomu, and Gavin Hastings.

Q: Any other sport where you excelled other than rugby. Who nursed you to stardom?

A: At the age of 14, I played cricket for Cheshire in the English Minor Counties.

At the age of 16, I was a member of the schools national squad of England (badminton). I excelled in both sports, but opted for rugby.

Today I am a professional in this sport and a Senior Technical Coach for English Clubs. I achieved this milestone through sheer commitment and dedication.

If I have gone places in sport or otherwise, thanks to parents. My father, himself an outstanding sportsman, my two brothers too benefitted from his knowledge and experience. He not only helped us to go places in life, but also taught us to play the game in the correct spirit, not to sulk over the final outcome. That's what sport is all about, he nodded.

In the match against CH&FC Alastair, who was nursing a back injury, took the field minutes before the long whistle. He scored a brilliant try, when he beautifully worked the ball from his own "25" with a zig- zag run to bemuse the entire CH defence.

Sanath changes course of the game

The Wisden Cricketer's Almanac is the prestigious 'Cricketer's Bible' published in England annually and contains around 1500 pages. It is a 'Collectors Item' among enthusiasts. It has now been continuously published for the last 135 years.

During the course of the last 133 years, Wisden has chosen Five Cricketers of the Year from players who actually participated in England during each English summer. A photograph of the 'cricketer' and an essay about him are published. No cricketers picture or essay is repeated in any subsequent publication the only instance being that of the great Don Bradman, once in his 1930 triumphant year, and again in 1948, when he retired from the game, after a fantastic career.

In 1997 the Editor of the 'Wisden', Matthew Engel wrote in his editorial - "The 134th edition of the Wisden contains a direct affront to tradition... the selection of the Five Cricketers of the Year... Yet; I have now felt obliged to modify them to include a player who was not a participant in the last English season - Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka. Jayasuriya's performances in the World Cup reverberated everywhere and earned him the right to be in our "Hall of Fame."

In the same edition, David Hopps says, "Sanath Jayasuriya cannot yet be classified as a "Great Player'. His World Cup exploits.... insisted that 'Course of the Game' would change forever. Few of the 'Greats have ever achieved that."

When Sanath Jayasuriya scored 213 and a thrilling 23 not out at the historic Kensington Oval in England, in front of a thrilled, huge English crowd, the umpires being from England and West Indies - he amply demonstrated his dual skills in the two innings - Test batsmanship and One Day thrills and spills.

The challenging sixers achieved with his feet a foot above the turf and on the off side took everyone's breath away! This, in addition to his famous 340 and 199 runs against India last year, amply justified the ".... direct affront to tradition" by Matthew Engel, who would have been the happiest man watching this genius perform in England.

David Hopps must surely now feel that not only has he changed the "course of the game"- but also is now one of the 'Greats'.

Kalyana de Silva,

Retd. Librarian,

SLCF,

Dehiwela,

Fakir honoured

M.F.M.Fakir, Senior Vice President of the Carrom Federation of Sri Lanka will be honoured by the International Carrom Federation (ICF) for services rendered for the promotion of the game of carrom throughout the world.

The felicitation ceremony will coincide with the 10th anniversary celebrations of the ICF to be held in Chennai, India, the birth place of the ICF.

Fakir is a founder member of the Board of Management of the ICF and was subsequently its Assistant Secretary/Treasurer.Fakir had been in the Board ofManagement of the ICF for eight consecutive years.

Gateway International beats Stafford and Royal Institute

Gateway International School beat Stafford International School in the Inter-International Schools (Under 17) cricket tournament to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Following this success, Gateway also beat Royal Institute to qualify for the semi-final of this tournament.

Skipper Sanjeewa Kotelawala excelled in both batting and bowling in the encounter with Royal Institute scoring 40 and taking 4 wickets. This is the first time that Gateway Internatonal School has participated in this tournament.

Gateway beat Stafford International

Stafford - 169 for 6 in 40 overs.

Roshan Amintha 60 not out, Tanuja de Alwis 27, Nadeesha Mahipala 18, Gajendran Thirukeshivara 16, Hasitha Kannangara 12.

Gateway - 170 for 6 in 36.3 overs.

Sufikhan Sulaiman 40, Muditha Amunugama 31, Sanjeewa Kotelawala 19, Fahim Ameen 19, Suraj Perera 14, Suranga Rodrigo 10 not out. Gajendran Thirukeshivara 2 for 36.

Gateway beat Royal Institute

Gateway - 152 all out in 40 overs.

Sanjeewa Kotelawala 40, Abraz Ameen 24, Muditha Amunugama 18, Suraj Perera 17, Kalimulla Rizvi 17.

S. Jayaram 3 for 30, S. Hewadewa 2 for 19.

Royal Institute - 104 all out in 37 overs.

Krishan Premadasa 20, S. Jayaram 13 not out

Sanjeewa Kotelawala 4 for 13, Suraj Perera 2 for 17.

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