The plus points for Sri Lanka in the game against Boland was the batting of Mahanama, Tillekeratne and Aravinda de Silva. Aravinda who batted and faced 28 balls without scoring, which must be something of a record for him, timed his strokes and middled the ball well in his second knock which was a happy augury.
Formidable combination
Muralitharan as usual, varied his deliveries cleverly and together with leg spinner Chandana formed a formidable spin combination. Chandana did his chances of playing in the First Test a lot of good.
This is the first time in many years that a game has been concluded at the Boland Bank park cricket ground. Previously when England and New Zealand played here, the games had to be abandoned.
The England game went on for two days and was called off and a onedayer was played on the third day instead. The Kiwi game was abandoned after a few overs. The reason being the slowness and the sharp rising of certain deliveries from a good length which was dangerous to the batsmen.
Slow wicket
But the authorities had learnt and the wicket that was prepared for the Sri Lanka game was playable although it too was on the slow side which was not conducive to stroke making. The going was always slow, but what was satisfying to the home authorities was that the game went on to its conclusion.
Among the sprinkling of spectators watching this game were Doctors Lareef Idroos and Cyril Ernest who had arrived in Cape Town with the Hollywood Cricket Club to play in the Golden Oldies over 40 tournament. 80 cricket teams from all over the world played in this cricket festival.
Finest spinners
Incidentally Idroos and Ernest were two of the finest spin bowlers produced by Sri Lanka. Idroos was a leg spinner and Ernest an office. They were unfortunate to be playing when Sri Lankans hadn't achieved test status.
Idroos and this writer, who was also a leg spinner were opposing school captains. Idroos led S. Thomas Mount Lavinia while I led St. Benedict's College, Kotahena. That was in 1960. In 1958 Idroos and I were vying for the Best Bowlers' prize and Idroos pipped me to the post. Idroos went on to represent Sri Lanka in 1964.
Ernest a fine batsman and fielder in addition to his off spinning, was my team mate in 1959 and 1960. He too played for Sri Lanka's under Michael Tissera which team beat Colin Cowdrey's 1969 team that toured Sri Lanka.
Old times
It was nice meeting these two gentlemen and talking about old times, when the school games of that time began at 12 noon and when each school played about 10 games the most.
After the game the Sri Lankan cricketers were entertained to dinner by Sampath and Kanthi de Silva and their daughter Tatjana who are the only Sri Lankans living in Cape Town. Sampath is Warp Knitting Manager with Svennil and Kanthi is in the Real Estate Business. Kanthi who is quite a live wire had been offered the job of consular in Cape Town.
The cricketers watched a video of the late Milton Mallawaratchy and after dinner listened to some of the singer's CDs. The cricketers regretted the passing away of the singer. Million was an ardent cricket fan and used to follow the fortunes of the cricketers wherever they play.