Appreciation: Cricketer Russell Hamer was ‘One Of A Kind’

Russell flanked by his brothers Granville and Mervyn

By Lawrence Machado

Russell Hamer, who played for Ceylon (later Sri Lanka) for many years, passed away in Colombo on Wednesday, March 27.  He was 76. He would have played many more times for Sri Lanka but unfortunately, international games were not as regular as these days.

The former Wesley College star was always a treat to watch on the field. He was a natural entertainer and had a very loyal following. Many a time he pulled his team out of trouble by counter-attacking and lashing the ball to all parts of the ground.  I was lucky to see a few of his knocks.

A former Ceylon Schools representative, Hamer represented the country at the annual Gopalan Trophy against Tamil Nadu, with a top score of 52 in the 1970-71 series. These matches were among the highlights for Ceylon and later Sri Lanka in the days before the country started playing Test cricket in 1982.

During a time when Ceylon produced some brilliant wicketkeeper batsmen, Hamer was at the top of his game, playing a few limited-over matches for the national team. 

He turned out for Sara Trophy heavyweights SSC and Nomads and also played a big role in keeping Maharajas as one of the most formidable sides in the Mercantile cricket competitions.

Fearless and ready to take on the opposition, Hamer was slick and flamboyant behind the sticks. Also, as a batsman, he never took a backward step. 

When Hamer suffered a stroke some years ago, he was helped financially by the then newly-formed Sri Lanka Cricketers Association Benevolent Fund which helped former cricketers who had medical issues.  

Hamer and AJ Samarasekera, another first-class cricketer who had a stroke, were the first two beneficiaries of the Trust in 2017.

In 2018, Hamer and 48 other ex-Lankan cricketers were felicitated by Sri Lanka Cricket for their services to the game before the country was accorded Test status by the International Cricket Council.

Russell’s two brothers, Mervyn and Granville, were also fine cricketers, who played for Wesley College and Division I clubs for many years. They predeceased him. Russell’s son, Peter, also played cricket at a level before migrating to Australia.

Russell is survived by wife Mallika, Peter and Briony (Australia), Sandra and Sherman De Silva and grandchildren Tiffany and Steffany. The funeral will be held on Good Friday, March 29.

May the turf lie gently on him.

OBITUARY

HAMER – RUSSELL PERCIVAL PETER. Beloved husband of Mallika, loving father of Peter and Sandra; father-in-law of Sherman and Briony; darling grandfather of Tiffany and Steffany; Brother of Granville and Mervyn (both deceased), passed away on Wednesday, March 27. Cortege leaves A.F. Raymonds Funeral Parlour, Borella, at 2.30pm on Friday, March 29, 2024, for burial at 3pm at the Borella General Cemetery.