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Lyceum International show their colours in Bangalore
By Bernie Wijesekera
Lyceum International School which is promoting the willow wielding sport among its juniors, embarked on a successful fortnight's tour to Bangalore, India recently. Though the school went on this tour to get that much needed exposure in competitive cricket, they had gained a lot from their counterparts off the field, said Nelson Mendis, the former Nalanda College Master, who managed the team.

Junior cricket in Bangalore (among the schoolboys) is quite high. Bangalore is the home of two Indian Test stalwarts Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid. Both hail from this region and are products of the Imtiaz Cricket Academy.

The Lyceum juniors were the guests of Baldwin Boys High School and lost the two-match series 2-1. But the lads did well to hold the strong Imtiaz Academy School to a one-all draw in the two games played. They however did well to get the better of the strong St. Joseph's High School, Bangalore, who are Under-15 Schools champions. But the final match against San Thome Secondary High School in Chennai had to be abandoned due to fickle weather.

The team was led by Mark Wille, who was a consistent run-getter. He won the best batman's award for his unbeaten attractive 102 against Baldwin High School. Sriyan Mifthas was the best all rounder, wicket-keeper Krishan Cadiraman, who excelled behind the sticks emerged as the best fielder. According to Mendis it was a fine team effort where all contributed to make it a successful tour. The lads gained that much needed experience and should do well in the forthcoming Interational Schools Under-15 tournament.

The team was coached by former Moratuwa SC and national cricketer Lantra Fernando.

Results.
Beat Imtiaz Ahamed Academy.
Imtias AC: 150 for 8 in 50 overs (Anish 38, Sanjay 35; M. Wille 2 for 15, Vasantha Yathawaraj 2 for 18).

Lyceum 154 for 8. (Sriyan Mifthas 59, Fahimi Halaldeen 34; Pradeep 3 for 22, Sandeep 3 for 17).

Beat Kanara Blues Academy, B'lore.
Kanara 111 in 30 overs (Chethan 33, S; Mifthas 2 for 16, Dilan Hewawitharane 2 for 5).

Lyceum 112 for no loss (Sriyan Mifthas 45 n.o., Krishan Cadiraman 52 n.o.).
Beat St. Joseph's High School.

St. Joseph's 180 for 6 in 35 overs (Nihal Uni 70, Arjun Dev 55; Rishtha Gamlath 2 for 16, Vasanth Yathwaraj 2 for 37).

Lyceum 182 for 2 in 30.4 overs (Krishan Cadiraman 100 not out, Dasis Kottage 30, Rishtha Gamlath 24 n.o.).

St Joseph's High School 149 for 6 in 30 overs (S. Yesdas 37 n.o., B. Aklash 37 n.o.; R. Gamlath 3 for 22, Fahim Halaldeen 2 for 32).

Lyceum 153 for 7 (Mark Mille 63, S. Miftha 25; M. Anas 2 for 14).
Lost to Baldwin High School.

Lyceum 187 in 40 overs (Mark Wille 76, Tarindu Senaratna 27; G. Kumar 3 for 37).
Baldwin High School 191 for 6 (A. Ahamed 37, Sadique Kirmani, 27, Pradeep Jairam 62 n.o.; V. Yathwaraj 4 for 19).
Beat Baldwin High School in the second game.

BHS 220 for 8 in 40 overs (G. Anoop 44, Amith Agraawar 40, K. Navneeth 32; Mark Wille 2 for 46, S. Mifthas 2 for 45, F. Halaldeen 2 for 40).

Lyceum 225 for 5 in 34.3 overs (Mark Wille 102 n.o., F. Halaldeen 33, K. Cadiraman 33 n.o.; F.R. Zohar 2 for 39). Lost to Baldwin HS.

BHS 256 for 6 in 40 overs (F.R. Zohar 115, A. Sunder 39, Amith Agarnar 22, P. Jairam 26; S. Mifthas 2 for 48).

Lyceum 163 in 30.4 overs (Mark Wille 40, S. Mifthas 34, K. Cadiraman 15; K. Navneeth 2 for 1, Prathik Bhat 2 for 17). Lost to Baldwin HS, the second match too.

BHS 275 for 4 in 40 overs (F.R. Zohar 99, A. Sundar 77, Ayash Hameed 30, P. Jairam 47).

Lyceum 261 for 9 in 40 overs (Vasanth Yathawaraj 94, M. Wille 44; P. Bhat 3 for 38). - BW

Camillus Perera and K.T. Ponnambalam
By Ajith C.S. Perera
IRREPARABLE LOSS With the sad demise of D.C.Camillus Perera at 65 years (July 14) and Kenneth Thuraiappah Ponnambalam at 70 years (August 30), not only I lost both my 'guru' of the formative years of my career as a cricket umpire in the space of just 47 days, but the umpiring fraternity here lost two of its very senior colourful ardent members. All those who had the privilege of associating with them both on and off the field, will always treasure their memory. Humility and equanimity were two reminiscent qualities I witnessed in them amidst the grandeur and glory they had earned in the local cricketing sphere.

EXCELLENT TEACHERS 'Cammie' and 'Ponna' as they were fondly called by all, were the renowned two teachers the Association of Cricket Umpires Sri Lanka in the 70-decade had, along with worthwhile inputs from the late J.M.C. Jayasinghe, whom too I always remember with deep gratitude, for the arduous task of conducting periodic training on the laws of cricket. I vividly remember the year 1975 when 54 of us, mostly amateurs, I still as a 22-year-old undergraduate, were requested by them to report at the Health Department Sports Club pavilion, Castle Street, Borella. As they, very correctly, never believed in short cuts to success, we underwent 3-hour bi-weekly training sessions extending beyond 9 p.m. each day, over a 12-week period. That was the era when, unlike today, there were no modern-day audio-visual aids for our training, but just a blackboard and a small congested room with half broken rattan woven chairs.

Yet, they soon won our respect and affection, by skilful teaching and understanding manner. They were a source of inspiration to all umpires, ever willing to impart their knowledge and experience to anyone who sought their guidance and direction, without any discrimination. Always prepared to do irksome tasks or services beginning at the grass-root level, they both were then dedicated with selfless commitment, to bring the much needed 'quality than quantity' to the umpiring fraternity.

No wonder they only found five of us from that batch, good enough to pass the stringent examination we had at the end. It is for those esteemed qualities and skills that they had and displayed off the field they always would be remembered, more than their on-field competence.

MY DEEP GRATITUDE I am certain that it was this firm foundation I was provided with and the exposure to the analytical approach my mind was given in my formative years at the hands of these teachers only, that soon paved the way for me to achieve greater success with rare distinction, even from a body like the Association of Cricket Umpires, England. This I always remember with much gratitude to them. CAMILLUS PERERA- Yes, the person who taught generations of umpires over three decades of time even until his last days on earth, is no more. Undoubtedly he was 'Teacher to the ACU & S here'.

Cammie came from Ratnapura to complete his secondary education at St. Joseph's College, Colombo and then to work at the State Trading (Tractor) Corporation. He joined the ACU (SL) in1963 and soon proved to be a very talented teacher, who not only knew the Laws of Cricket very well but was also able to put it across with lucidity and clarity. He always had time to unravel many a knotty problem on this subject, for those who sought his assistance. Inevitably he became the guide and mentor, almost to all of the senior and junior umpires of today.

The 80-decade was the period when Sri Lanka played the least number of Internationals. Perhaps aided by this fact, Camillus retired prematurely from active umpiring in 1991, after standing in just a solitary test match at the CCC grounds in 1986, where Sri Lanka recorded an 8-wicket victory over Pakistan.

Even after retirement, his services as a competent senior training instructor on Laws of Cricket, was much in demand and served the BCCSL and the ACU & S (SL) in that capacity. Over the last three decades, he held numerous key positions in the management committee of the ACU (SL) and at the time of his demise was their administration manager. K. T. PONNAMBALAM -'Ponna' never continued as a teacher beyond the 70-decade, but like 'Cammie' held numerous key positions in the ACU(SL), one time even being its President and the last as its Public Relations Officer. Hailing from Tellippalai in Jaffna, he too had his secondary education at St. Joseph's College Colombo, joined the Insurance Corporation at first and then the Health Department to retire eventually in 1989 as the senior secretary at the General Hospital Colombo. He was an engaging and enjoyable character, cutting a popular figure in all our re-unions. He could charm anybody with his vast fund of stories, anecdotes and tales, which even won him many friends.

An outstanding asset of 'Ponna' that we admired was his high command of the English language - never long-winded or repetitive; his speeches were classic examples of choice oratory - brief and to the point. He umpired his first International in the 60-decade, a game against the visiting Joe Listers XI and thereafter matches in the Gopalan Trophy series. At the time of retirement from active umpiring in 1987, he served the BCCSL as an advisor to its then umpiring committee.

My last meeting with 'my teacher' on the eve of his migration to Canada on 28th October1992 at his then home in Modera, Colombo, was an occasion filled with sadness and happiness; happiness because I brought him in his own words, "the happiest news a teacher could possibly ever receive" - my selection to the six-member test match panel of umpires, for the tour of the New Zealand national team here in November. Of course not even we both knew then, what exactly my cruel fate had in store for me just 15 days later!

WISHFUL THINKING. It is often when an umpire's life has ended only, rather than on his retirement, we begin to appreciate him fully in recognising the highly demanding silent roles played and the enormous contributions made - all gone unnoticed. As I pen these words, it reminds me of this famous saying:

"A grain of recognition given and gratitude expressed when one is alive, is worth much more than any quantity of such, when he is no more." GOODBYE SIR. Deep in the hearts of all umpires in the era ended, you both will stay eternally. As you rest safely in God's care, we think of you in silent prayer. You will always remain 'special' in my life and remembered fondly with gratitude. So my dear 'Cammie' and dearest 'Ponna', farewell. May the turf lie lightly on you!


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