News
Downing the scalpel to wield the willow
View(s):- Surgeons from across the country take to the field to play the gentleman’s game
By Kumudini Hettiarachchi
Strange bedfellows – a cricket bat and hard ball alongside a scalpel, a needle holder, a pair of needles and sutures!
This was the image on the screen in the charming auditorium of the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka (CSSL) down Independence Avenue on the afternoon of February 4, after the country had celebrated its 78th National Day just up the road at Independence Square in the morning.
On the field on February 10, the CSSL Cricket Team took on the Dudley Doosras from England
Banter and tales of the past about how cricket was played without helmets preceded the formal ceremony at which the chief guest was cricketing great Anura Tennekoon and the invitees were Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Treasurer Sujeewa Godaliyadda and National Fast Bowling Coach Anusha Samaranayake.
The livewire behind the activation of cricketing enthusiasm and launch of the CSSL Cricket Team, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Dr. Rajitha Y. de Silva delved into working spaces of a surgeon in the operating theatre and a cricketer in the field.
It may seem like two extreme worlds, one waving the scalpel and the other a bat, but they share common characteristics, he said. “To become a surgeon you need at least 6-7 years of training and to become a cricketer similarly 6-7 years of practice. For both surgeons and cricketers, hand-eye coordination; dexterity & precision; and stamina & endurance are vital.”
the two teams pose for a photograph. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Dr. de Silva cited two examples: Senior surgeon Prof. Mohan de Silva performing a laparoscopic procedure while his eyes were glued to the TV screen images of the patient’s abdomen and the intense eyes of scrubbed up Sri Lankan-born heart surgeon who made significant contributions in the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka, Dr. Ravi Pillai, who is no more.
Other common characteristics between surgeons and cricketers, according to Dr. de Silva are: Teamwork & Communication; the Personal Traits of patience, adaptability and leadership; Discipline & Preparation with regard to training and practice, strategic planning and consistency; and Mental Attributes such as focus and concentration, decision-making under pressure and resilience.
Surgeons at the launch of the cricket team on February 4
He went onto point out that William Gilbert Grace considered the ‘Father of Cricket’ in fact held the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) and also the Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians (LRCP). However, he laughingly added that when first they formed a medical cricket team in Sri Lanka, more than half comprised surgeons but only one or two were physicians.
“Sri Lankan doctors such as Dr. Sarath Wimalaratne and Dr. H.I.K. Fernando have played for the national team,” he said, reiterating that the surgeons are “very serious” about forming a team.
While the CSSL had formed a team in 2011 and first faced the physicians followed by the ‘Doosra team’ from England and an encounter with the obstetricians & gynaecologists, there had been a break. It is with hope that the future is being faced after the revival of cricket within the ranks of the surgeons.
Annual matches on a set calendar are on the cards with the obstetricians & gynaecologists; the physicians; the Galle medicos in memory of Dr. Sanath Liyanarachchi along with tours abroad also planned and an Intercollegiate Cricket Encounter.
Prof. Mohan de Silva performing a laparoscopic procedure and Dr. Ravi Pillai a surgery
After the launch of the CSSL Cricket Team, the surgeons took to the field on February 10 at the MCC grounds in Colombo to face the Dudley Doosras from England, who were on their fourth visit. Earlier captained by Dr. Ajantha Jayatunge, this time it was Mohit Mandiratta who was at the helm, and Dr. Rajitha de Silva for the surgeons.
The launch was kicked off by Dr. Rasitha Manatunge and the vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Rajiv Nirmalsingham. The compere was Dr. Dulantha de Silva, while the speakers included CSSL President Prof. Ajith Malalasekera, Prof. Mohan de Silva, SLC Treasurer Godaliyadda and Coach Samaranayake.
A photograph soon after the launch of the surgeons’ cricket team
Caps with the CSSL logo were also distributed at the function.
……And as the surgeons from a mix of specialties came from all over the country that day, the motto in taking up this gentleman’s game is: “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.”
For these surgeons whether in cricket or operations, what will hold true as American sportswriter Grantland Rice indicated is that giving of one’s best effort is of paramount importance.
| Doosra from a legend about ‘striking’ doctors It was an unexpected doosra from cricketing legend Anura Tennekoon that day. Referring to medical professionals being at loggerheads with the government, “maybe not you gentlemen”, Mr. Tennekoon requested the surgeons to persuade doctors to seek their demands in a “good way” without work stoppages which impact severely on hapless patients. Negotiate without stoppages, was the plea from 79-year-old Mr. Tennekoon considered one of the greatest batsmen in the period before Sri Lanka achieved Test status. From 2000-2003, he also served as Chief Executive of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board.
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Prof. Bawantha Gamage being handed over a CSSL cricket cap by Mr. Anura Tennekoon with Dr. Rajitha Y. de Silva looking on
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