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During our times school cricket was world class – David Heyn
Down Memory Lane with Bernie Wijesekera
On the final day of the first test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the SSC grounds, Maitland Place the Pakistanis were set a victory, target of over four hundred runs. A Herculean task, indeed. But they fought back well and kept Sri Lanka toiling all day on a placid pitch. The match ended in a draw.There. was a solitary figure watching the game. He looked like an Englishman here to avoid the winter. He spoke in Sinhala.and he asked me “Bernie kohomada”. It surprised me, I couldn’t recognize him. ‘Mama David Heyn’ and shook hands gleefully.

I told him ‘let’s meet at leisure and have a chat later. He said okay. I met him on Monday April 3, at Renuka Hotel.

David was one of the finest products of St. Peter’s. He excelled in cricket and hockey with his elder brother Richard. His father was an old Royalist Major General B.R. Heyn – a double international at cricket and hockey. Also a live-wire of the BRC.

David was too shy to mention his deeds on and off the field. Finally he broke the ice.

Q: Who were your teammates?
A: Travis Fernando, T. Le Mercier, Maurice Decker, a gangling fast bowler. Partnered by Travis, they proved a hostile pair.

Q: What was your most unforgettable moment in your school career?
A: In the Big Match against St. Joseph’s. The Joes had to make 3 runs to win with one wicket, in the last over played at the NCC grounds. To the fans dismay the umpires removed the bails.

Q: What about the standard at that time?
A: I would say it was world class (Under-19). The matches were very competitive. The likes of Anura Tennekoon, Sarath Wimalaratne, Ranjit and Sunil Fernando, Roy Dias, Vijaya Malalasekera, Tony Opatha etc.

Q: Are you aware that at present the Sri Lanka Under-19 team, is placed fifth in the Asian rankings?
A: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh (the emerging nation) beat us away and in our own backward. Nepal coached by old Peterite Roy Dias came ahead of us in the U-19 ICC World Cup. Today they are afforded with all facilities and get that much needed exposure.

In 1966 my brother Richard and myself were in both national pools – cricket and hockey. He chose hockey but I preferred cricket. He went for the Asian Games in Bangkok. I was picked to go to Pakistan. Led by Mike Tissera. A strong side with the likes of Stanley Jayasinghe, Clive Inman, HIK Fernando, Neil Chanmugam, Nihal Kodituwakku, Anura Tennekoon, Dr. Sarath Wimalaratne, FB Crozier etc.

Q: Anything special about your hockey?
A: In 1967, I was in the national team to play against World Champions India here. Played 3 tests. A hard fought series.

Q: What have you got to say about Sri Lanka cricket now and then?
A: During my time we depended solely on the national tours. But today I am happy to note there are playing opportunities at all levels. Under-19 and ‘A’ team tours. In my era some talented players gave up. They had to give priority to their careers. Had to concentrate on their jobs for their future betterment. There are more rewards now for talented players to look forward to.

Q: What was your most unforgettable moment in your international career?
A: In 1975 I toured India under Anura Tennakoon. It was a full tour, with five zonal matches, a Combined Universities match and a three test series. India was led by B.S. Bedi and they had a well-knit side. Sunil Gavaskar, G. Visvanath, Mohinder Amaranath, Madan Lal, Spin –trio Bedi, Prasanna and Chandrasekhar.

Sri Lanka had Bandula Warnapura, Duleep Mendis, Ranjit Fernando, Anura Ranasinghe, Ajit de Silva, Daya Sahabandu, Lalith Kalupperuma, D.S. De Silva, Roy Dias etc. It was a fine series though India won. In the first test at Hyderabad. India hit up a massive total. In this match I got 104 and 84. Almost saved the game with night watchman Daya Sahabandu. He made 32 n.o. batting virtually for 4 hours. Tony Opatha made 61. It was a four –day test. After tea India had to make 100 runs. Won with 7 balls to spare, before a massive crowd.

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