A credit to Sri Lanka and University cricket (4 October 1998)

4 October 1998

A credit to Sri Lanka and University cricket

P Epasinghe

Very few Sri Lankans have represented the prestigious Cambridge University. We are proud to mention here, that the highest individual score in the Oxford/Cambridge Cricket Series is held by a Sri Lankan, former Sri Lankan Cricketer/Commentator, Gamini Goonasena who scored a brilliant double century when he represented Cambridge.

Presently, Prakash Schaffter, a Sri Lankan, is representing the Cambridge University. It's an honour for Sri Lanka. I, therefore, spoke to the Cambridge cricket coach, former England cricketer Derek Randall for his views and comments.

Former England cricketer, Derek Randall is no stranger to Sri Lankan cricket fans. In 1977, in Melbourne, Randall played in the Australian/England Centenary Test, in which he withstood Thompson and Lillee and scored a magnificent 174, which was undoubtedly a land mark in his distinguished Test career. Randall played in 47 Test matches and in 79 innings scored 2470 runs at an average of 33.37, which included 7 centuries and 12 half centuries. He was a superb fielder and held 31 catches in his test career.

P.E. Mr. Randall, how long have you been coaching Cambridge University?

D.R. This is my 3rd year. Obviously I am enjoying it very much indeed. Because having retired from Cricket in 1993, it gives me an insight into modern day Cricket and I am really enjoying it.

P.E. How has the team performed this season ?

D.R. Well, we have 5 or 6 professional cricketers together, and obviously it is very difficult for them, because they have important exams as well, which they just finished and we do play against some top county sides and it is a good opportunity for them to improve their cricket and show their ability.

P.E. In the past, Cambridge produced a number of Test and County players. Are there any players of the calibre of Mike Atherton in the present XI?

D.R. Oh yes! We have two Kent professionals Ed Smith and Will House left handed, aggressive batsmen. Either of those could play for England, together with Anurag Singh, who is a Warwickshire professional. Any of these could quite easily go on and play for England. We do have a test leg spinner playing for us from New Zealand, Greg Loveridge. He is studying here at the moment and we have a very talented side. But still they are very young and inexperienced, and they do have to work exceptionally hard to compete with all the main County Teams here.

P.E. Mr. Randall, having examined the score cards of your 1st class games, I see most of them have been affected by weather. Have the weather conditions since improved ?

D.R. They have improved. Thank heavens! We have 3 days against Yorkshire at Headingley to play and our big game of the season, really the end of the University season is the Varsity Match, Oxford and Cambridge, which we are very much looking forward to.

P.E. The wicket at "Fenners" has been described as "Batsmen's Paradise" is it still the same ?

D.R. Very much. I am sure Prakash is used to bowling under these conditions. I suppose Sri Lankan conditions are fairly similar. Because it is slow, low, but he has the ability to swing and seam the ball around and he has done exceptionally well here at Cambridge for us. He is being probably a little bit older than the rest of the youngster players here. But he's been a credit to Sri Lanka & University Cricket.

P.E. What are your comments on Prakash Schaffter's bowling ?

D.R. Well, he is probably the best bowler in our side for hitting the seam. If there is any movement off the seam here, he will definitely made use of that. He has the ability to hit the seam 6 times out of 6. A bit of an experienced head, so he knows where to bowl at people as well, so he is more than a useful cricketer for us. Unfortunately, he is little bit older now and he is not as quick as he possibly could be in the field but apart from that we use his experience and he is valuable, very valuable to our side.

P.E. In Sri Lanka, Prakash Schaffter generates a fair amount of swing, this must be more so in the conditions there ? Can you comment on it ?

D.R. Yes! That is right. Particularly early season you get a breeze across the ground and with the new ball, he is very useful and he has caused a few problems to English Batsmen here.

P.E. Prakash has been among the wickets in the last 2 games. Any comments ?

D.R. No! No! its' good to see. Wickets are very difficult to get here, you can imagine on this, feather bed wicket at Fenners. So any wicket is very valuable here. A bit like test wickets actually.

P.E. I understand that you recently played in the "Masters" in Australia. Do you still play much cricket ?

D.R. I play minor county, which is level below first class cricket in England for suffolk I am trying to play much as I possibly can. I am 47 and my eyes have gone a little bit. But I am one of those Cricketers who really enjoy playing and I hope to continue playing well, into my 50's.

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