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Sri Lanka’s oldest cricketer Bertie Wijesinha dies at 96

kit-sports editor — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 01:28:15 +0000

Sri Lanka’s oldest living cricketer Bertie Wijesinha breathed his last yesterday. He was 96.

Bertie Wijesinha was a household name in Sri Lanka whether it was as a cricketer, coach, writer or commentator, he was versatile in every field.

Wijesinha celebrated his 68th wedding anniversary with wife Dorothy on March 30 and a few days later he was admitted to Sri Jayawardenepura Hospital for pneumonia where he passed away.

In recent years Wijesinha’s health had been deteriorating and he died of old age.

He donated one of his kidney’s to one of his two daughters who later died. He also has two sons.

Wijesinghe played for S. Thomas’ College Mt Lavinia from 1936-1939 and in that period distinguished himself as an outstanding all-round cricketer. Later he moved to SSC to display his skills and then represented his country from the late forties.

His desire to write something about the game saw him take up the post of Sports Editor of the Daily News from 1953-1972 and branch into the field of cricket commentating where he formed a unique combination with another SSC stalwart Lucien de Zoysa providing ball-by-ball cricket commentaries on radio in an era where television was not even hear of. Their vivid descriptions of play enabled listeners to imagine they were actually at the match.

Wijesinghe was a knowledgeable coach from whom many cricketers who went onto wear the national cap benefitted.

Leading the tributes to this great cricketer was former Sri Lanka captain Michael Tissera, a former Thomian cricketer like Wijesinha who benefitted immensely by his coaching. “Bertie was a very fine all-rounder technically he was very good. All his life he coached with the goodness of his heart,” said Tissera.

“Bertie and Derrick (FC de Saram) used to come and coach us when we were playing for Ceylon. He was a competent coach who knew the finer aspects of batting and bowling.”

The Wettimuny brothers Sunil, Mithra and Sidath who all played for the country were coached by Wijesinghe.

“Whatever skills we learnt from cricket we owe it to him. He was a fabulous coach, the best in the business. His knowledge and the way he transferred that knowledge to us was fantastic,” said Sidath Wettimuny the youngest of the trio.

“It was my father who built the first indoor cricket nets in Sri Lanka at the Health Department. He handed it over to Bertie and told him you can use it for your coaching but you must also coach my sons. That’s how we came to be coached by him,” said Sidath. “I came under Bertie’s coaching at the age of 12, but Sunil my elder brother was coached after school.

“Bertie lived a full life and was one of the greatest cricketers produced by SSC and one of the best coaches the country has produced.”

Former Sri Lanka and SSC captain Anura Tennekoon described Wijesinghe as a gentle person who in his own way taught the fundamentals of the game properly.

“He helped me to brush up my technique from school to club level. He was very good at putting the basics right of a cricketer whether it be batting or bowling, that was his main strength,” said Tennekoon.

Another Thomian cricketing stalwart Geoff Wijesinghe, a former editor of the Daily News and Sunday Observer said that Wijesinha was “a perfect gentleman, a strict disciplinarian as a coach and a fine friend”.“I had the privilege of having Bertie as my coach at S. Thomas’, as my team mate at SSC and a lifelong friend,” said Wijesinghe.

“My youngest son Suresh also had the privilege of being coached by Bertie, before he (Bertie) went over to Trinity. When my son scored 40 for S. Thomas’ against Trinity Bertie came over to the Thomian dressing room and complimented him on his batting,” he said.

“Bertie was a Thomian staunch and true who always rallied around the college flag.”

Wijesinha’s remains lie at 15A, School Lane, Gangodawila, Nugegoda (opposite Sri Jayawardenapura University). His funeral takes place on Wednesday at the General Cemetary, Borella.

Suspension of indoor nets project: Wettimuny hits out at SLC ..

kit-sports editor — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 01:25:27 +0000

Former Sri Lanka Cricket interim committee chairman Sidath Wettimuny expressed shock and disappointment at the decision taken by the newly elected body of Sri Lanka Cricket to suspend the construction of indoor net facilities at three international cricket venues.

“I am totally disappointed that such a project has been stopped. These are projects which the cricket committee where Mahela Jayawardene, Michael Tissera, Kapila Wijegunawardene and me, we all came up with it because we felt it was vital for the overall plan in developing our cricket to bring in the youth to train and develop in these areas. It is a huge blow for cricket,” said Wettimuny.

SLC on Wednesday said in a media release that it had decided to temporarily suspend construction of the indoor nets projects at the R Premadasa Stadium (Khettarama), Pallekele and Dambulla due to SLC not obtaining approvals from the relevant authorities.

The release further stated that SLC would re-assess the high costs involved in construction (Rs. 248 million) and the space allocation at the respective venues.

Reacting to the allegations that the interim committee had not obtained approvals from the relevant authorities Wettimuny stated, “For the project the provision of Rs 248 million is already in the budget. In 2006 and in 2010 when they built the Khettarama Stadium they applied to the Colombo Municipal Council to get an assessment number and they never got it. We also applied and it never came. But we are under the Sugathadasa Stadium Committee who owns the property which has been leased to SLC. We got written approval to go ahead with the construction. When we brought the trees down we got the approval from the Pradeshiya Sabha.

“Pallekele belongs to the BOI (Board of Investment) and we have got BOI approval. It was on a BOI project that the stadium was built, even the BOI board guys came to our opening ceremony. According to my chief engineer there was no need to get anybody’s approval because it is developed by the board.

“Dambulla we had to get permission from the chief monk who owns the land. We obtained permission from him and he was even invited for the opening ceremony. He gave a speech saying that after so many years some good has been done for this area where thousands of children will benefit because they don’t have any place to go and hire and practice.

“The Sports Minister himself came for both opening ceremonies at Pallekele and Dambulla and said virtually the same thing.”

Explaining further Wettimuny said, “First they said there were no cash, then no parking space. For five days of international cricket they are depriving 360 days of fantastic training opportunities for cricketers. There is no logic it is basically to hit at the interim committee. Ultimately it is the cricketers who suffer from such petty mindedness.”

“Imagine the number of cricketers who will be deprived of the facilities in Kandy and Dambulla. I am baffled as to why such a decision has been taken because the end result must be that cricket should benefit and nothing else,” said Wettimuny.

“It’s a crying shame that such things can be done for petty reasons. Nobody has asked anyone to stop the work. They are finding petty excuses to stop a project started by the interim committee. It’s an absolute crime and a national shame to do a thing like this.”

Kusal Mendis to make Test debut..

kit-sports editor — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 00:12:50 +0000

Sri Lanka will continue with their policy of experimenting with new players when the second Test match against the touring West Indies gets underway at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo today.

The hosts lead the series 1-0 following their emphatic innings victory in Galle and also look set to win the Sobers-Tissera Trophy which is on offer for the first time.

The national selectors have decided to include another promising youngster Kusal Mendis while replacing the out of form Lahiru Thirimanne who has struggled for runs during the recent past.

Rangana Herath will the vice-captain for the match.

The former Sri Lanka U19 World Cup captain has really forced himself into recognition following a series of good scores for the Sri Lanka A team and for the Development Squad during a recent series in India.

In addition controversial spinner Tharindu Kaushal has been left out and his place will be taken by all-rounder Dilruwan Perera who will be making a comeback having played his previous Test match against Pakistan in June this year.

Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews welcomed the inclusion of new cap Kusal Mendis but also emphasised that the left out players could always make a comeback in the future.

“We know every player goes through a rough patch in their career and I hope the players left out will soon bounce back. But at the moment we don’t have any choices so we got to make that call” said Mathews.

“Kusal Mendis has earned his place in the side and hope that he will grab that opportunity and cement his place in the side. We are not going to put a lot of pressure on him and we can’t expect wonders from him. There will be nervous times for him but we will be there to help him out. As the team captain I will back him all the way. He has the talent and I hope that he will come out good” added the Sri Lanka captain.

Mathews also expected the West Indies to bounce back after their setback in Galle and said that the team will need to play positively if they are to complete a 2-0 whitewash.

“There is a little bit of bounce than it was in Galle. But it looks really dry so the spinners will come into play. Regardless of the wicket we will have to play some good cricket. We got to pick a team which could win the game and I am pretty sure if we could play to our potential we can win the game” added Mathews.

Despite their success in the opening Test, Mathews believed that there is still plenty of room for improvement as the team look to make an impact at a venue which has produced a result in the last ten games.

“As a team we are looking at an improvement in all departments. We can still fine tune in batting, bowling and fielding and we always try to keep on improving and to be as clinical as possible.”

Meanwhile the West Indies are likely to make at least one change to their side with Rajendra Chandrika set to replace opening batsman Shai Hope in the line-up.

Even then, they still face a daunting task to regroup and to bounce back with their bowling area as the main concern having conceded nearly 500 runs to their opponents in the first Test.

No doubt the Caribbean islanders will be inspired with the legendary all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers been present at the venue as a chief guest.

The teams:

Sri Lanka (from): Angelo Mathews (captain), Rangana Herath (vice-captain), Kaushal Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Milinda Siriwardana, Kusal Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera.

West Indies (from): Jason Holder (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite (vice-captain), Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Rajendra Chandrika, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Jomel Warrican.

Free entry for schoolboys

School cricketers and schoolboys will have free entrance to witness the second Test match between Sri Lanka and the West Indies for the Sobers-Tissera Trophy, which begins at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo today.

Legendary cricketer Sir Garfield Sobers and former national captain Michael Tissera will be the chief guest at this match.

School cricketers and schoolboys are requested to come in with their respective school uniform to receive free entry to the venue.

Sir Garfield Sobers to arrive in Sri Lanka ..

kit-sports editor — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 01:33:19 +0000

Sir Garfield Sobers is due to arrive in Sri Lanka in time for the second Test between Sri Lanka and the West Indies which is scheduled to begin at the P.Sara Oval from October 22 to 26. He along with Sri Lankan great Michael Tissera will present the winners the trophy dedicated in the names of the two former players Sobers-Tissera trophy at the end of the Test.

Sobers is no stranger to Sri Lanka as he was the coach of the Sri Lanka team in 1982 and is considered as the greatest all-rounder the game has ever produced.

Michael Tissera played in the inaugural 1975 World Cup which was called the Prudential World Cup in England. He has the honour of being the only Sri Lankan captain to beat India on Indian soil in an unofficial Test in 1964.