Sri Lanka News Round-up (17 Jul 1998)

17 July 1998

Sri Lanka News Round-up

The Daily News

One of the most outstanding schoolboy cricketers of the 1970's Gary Melder (44) died of a heart attack on Wednesday. Melder, a fine left hand middle order batsman and a right arm paceman played with distinction for St. Joseph's College, Colombo from 1970 to 1974 captaining the school in the last two years.

He played for Sri Lanka Schools led by Asitha Jayaweera against the visiting Australian Schools team led by Robert Goldin in the three test series in 1972. In the final test played at the Sara Stadium he came up with a defiant knock to help skipper Asitha Jayaweera (59 n.o) to stave off defeat.

In 1974 he led St.Joseph's to the schools limited over championship by beating Royal in the final. With left arm paceman Rajiv Benedict he formed an effective pace combination which helped St.Joseph's to register many victories in the early 1970's. He scored several centuries in his school cricket career including 'tons' against Royal and St.Benedict's.

A planting career deprived him of gaining representative honours. He took over as coach of his alma mater in 1997 and guided them to a very successful season and continued to coach them this year too.

The funeral will take place on Saturday at the general cemetery Borella at 3.30 p.m.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)