Cricket: A Game That Builds Character (03 Jan 1996)

Wednesday 03, January 1996

Cricket : A game which builds character

With the dawn of the New Year, inter-school cricket matches will get into top gear. It is heartening to note that some of the lesser-known schools are also participating in this year`s school cricket tournament. Laurels go out to the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association for taking this noble game to outstation schools in a big way.

To begin with, cricket is a gentleman`s game. Cricket is, in a sense, miniature warfare but it should be played in the true spirit of the game. Cricket matches should be fought out by both sides in the correct spirit and technique. Remember, school cricket matches should always be a form of recreation. Cricket is a game to be played not only according to written laws of the game but in harmony with an unwritten code of chilvalry and good temper. You have to consider school cricket as an extracurricular activity of the school, which helps one to mould the character. Discipline is very important. Your good behaviour on and off the field is vital. You may score you thousand runs for the season and capture a hundred wickets. But, if you are not disciplined and your character is bad your cricket career will be short-lived. As a teachers I have seen many falling by the wayside. You must always inculcate good habits. When you represent your school you must always remember that you are sporting ambassadors of your school. Remember do not be uppish be unassuming, respect your teachers, parents umpires, old-boys and wellwishers. It will always help you in your day-to-day life too.

Most of the school matches played during the weekend ended in no-decisions. The bat held sway over the bowlers. Two of the top teams in the school cricket circuit, Ananda and Nalanda, did extremely well. Thurstan were very unfortunate to fall short of two runs in their bid to beat Zahira College at Maradana. Up in Kandy, St. Sylvester`s College held Mahinda College, Galle to a draw.

With the ``Hair incident`` lot of people are talking about umpires.

I wish to draw your attention to an ugly incident which took place a couple of weeks back in a junior level cricket match. It was reported that one of the umpires had warned a junior bowler for suspect actions and called him. A section of the crowd panicked and threatened the umpires.

Umpires are the custodians of the game. It`s rather disheartening as this incident took place in a match where the `tiny-tots` who start their cricket career are involved. The `winning at any cost` theory should be stopped. If this is the attitude that the parents and well-wishers expect from cricket it is better to stop cricket completely. Cricket is not a breeding ground for `thugs` and `rowdies`. It`s a highly respected game where umpires play a very important role. The players, as well as the cricket authorities, should respect these gentlemen who do a thankless and rewardless job.

Remember, without umpires this game of cricket cannot go on. School cricketers should respect the umpires. This will be a `transfer of training` when these young ones go out into society seeking jobs.

During the time that we represented school, Messrs Dodwell de Soysa, L. E. Bakelman, Lucky Mayo, umpires Murny, John, Hamer, M. A. Jayasinghe and J. M. C. Jayasinghe brothers, come to mind by some of the highly respected umpires. They were strict disciplinarians of the game and a source of encouragement.

I still remember the learned lecture given to our team, after the Nalanda-St. Anthony`s Katugastota, inter-school cricket match by Mr. Bakelman after one of our players stared at the umpire when he was ruled out for a catch. Further in the good old days umpires used to point out our mistakes after the match. Today, the umpiring fraternity has grown and every encouragement should be given to these `white coat` men by the authorities and the spectators. Remember, whether right or wrong the umpire`s word is final. Take it up in the true spirit of the game.

Source :: Lake House/Lanka Internet Services