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Doyen of Lankan cricket
A Walk Down Memory Lane
By Bernie Wijesekera
Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Michael Tissera, who led the country with distinction has been contracted to be the manager of the National cricket team up to May 1, 2007. Mike one of the finest products of S. Thomas' Mt. Lavinia, captained the school from 1957 to '58, with much success. He hails from a sporting family. His father Hugh and brothers Ralston and Vernon, also excelled in the willow wielding sport.

Besides cricket, Mike continues the family tradition in the tea trade. His father Hugh, is a senior planter in Nuwara Eliya, with brothers Ralston and Vernon following him. Michael, with a view to continue his cricketing joined Brooke Bonds as a tea taster and lived in Colombo. He joined NCC and played under Vernon Prins. Tissera says he learnt much from Prins on and off the field as a youngster.

"The likes of Patrick Schokman, Stanley Jayasinghe, the Obeysekera twins Carl and Val, Malcolm Francke and the late Jimmy Vanderkoon as secretary - a colourful character was a tower of strength. It was our devotion and dedication and total commitment that was the cornerstone for success. Mike played in the P'Sara' champion teams under Prins and KMT Perera". Michael later led NCC to win the 'Sara' trophy and joining CCC he led them to win the 'Sara' and then served as chairman of the Gymkhana Club for two years.

Q: Who coached you?
A: Lassie Abeywardena, a firm disciplinarian. No nonsense. He produced many outstanding cricketers and some of them represented the country. We were always taught to maintain the spirit of the game. No excuses for setbacks. As a coach what Gerry Gooneratne did for Nalanda, Lassie did for S. Thomas.

Q: In your trail -blazing career, what is your most unforgettable moment?
A: The year 1964-;65 cricket tour to India. Cricket history was made at Ahmedabad when Sri Lanka beat India by four wickets in the Third Test. Not against an 'A' team, but a side led by the Nawab Pataudi (Jnr.) which team included Dilip Sardasai, Abbas Ali Baig, Hanumant Singh, F. Engineer S. Venkataragahavan, Baskaran, R. Goel, Amre, Roy Kulkarni etc. We lost the first two tests.

At Hyderabad (2nd test) Stanley Jayasinghe, batting in his own inimitable style made a 100. I joined him at the fourth wicket and was involved in a 224-run stand. I too, contributed with a century to that epoch-making stand, but still lost the Test.

The final test at Ahamedabad was marred by fickle weather. India batting first made 189. Ceylon (then known as) replied with 144 for 7 declared on the fourth and final day. A delayed start caused 90 minutes play lost. High drama was enacted. India skittled out for 66. Darrell Lieversz 5-2-8-1, Norton Fredrick 11-4-24-3, Stanley Jayasinghe 7-4-14-3 wreaking havoc. Polonowita mopped up with 3 for 7.

In the Ceylon first innings total of 144 for 7 declared Anura Polonowita made a gallant 53. H.I.K. Fernando 38 n.o., I made 28. Bespectacled TCT Edward suffered a facial injury didn't bat on either innings. Abu Fuad opened with Mano Ponniah. Abu, a gritty 40 and Mano a sedate 22 laid the foundation chasing 116 for victory.

Lasantha Rodrigo 9, Jayasinghe 19, Tissera 15 n.o., 'Polons' 3 n.o. Both Neil Chanmugam and HIK scored ducks.

Ceylon gave notice to the cricketing world that we were second to none in the sub-continent. This is what the Indian skipper Pataudi had to say "Gamble pays off" Ceylon beat us in every department. Tissera commended Stanley for coming all at that time.

Q: Sri Lanka has not beaten India., in India for 40 years, will you be able to help break the hoodoo with you being appointed cricket manager?
A: I am not playing. I could motivate and assist the players. But they have to work hard and possess mental toughness.

Q: Any other achievements?
A: In 1996, we beat the strong Pakistani team led by Imtiasz Ahamed at the P. 'Sara' (Oval). Apparently marred by temper tantrums. Skipper Imtiasz made some unsavoury remarks. In Sri Lanka everything is uncertain - weather, the wickets and the umpiring. It stirred a hornets nest.

Q: You have served as manager, administrator and selector, or otherwise. Earlier you were appointed as 'A' team manager. Any junior team you managed away from home?
A: In 1981, the Sri Lanka Schools under-19 team led by old Wesleyite Navin de Silva. Navin was a versatile sportsman, cut short his career due to his professional career with SriLankan Airlines. There were some outstanding players in the side, who later played for the country - namely Aravinda de Silva, Arjuna Ranatunga, Graham Labrooy, Charit Senanayake and Ashley de Silva.

Q: You were a member of the first World Cup team that played in England. You were tipped to captain, but Anura Tennekoon was preferred.
A: It doesn't matter who captained, you are playing for the team's success. Country comes first. It was cricket crazy summer the Lankans came in for a bumper barrage coming from Lillee and Thomson against Australia at the Oval. Sunil Wettimuny and Duleep Mendis were seriously injured. Australia made 324. Sri Lanka though batted and bruised made 252.

A gallant performance indeed. All played their hearts out. I made 52. This tour was the benchmark for ICC recognition. Sri Lanka richly deserved to gain recognition. The likes of Gamini Goonesena, Stanley Jayasinghe, Clive Inman, Gehan Mendis, Ian Peiris, Dan Pichaud and Malcolm Francke gave notice of their potential, whilst playing in the meadows of England. Today Sri Lanka players are second to none in the international scene.

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