D Schoorman: Cricket A Way Of Life In Sri Lanka (10 Apr 1996)

10 April 1996

Cricket a way of life in Sri Lanka

By Dion Schoorman

COLOMBO, Tuesday - If passion for a sport were one of the criteria for good performances then cricket-crazy Sri Lanka would have been world beaters long ago.

The island nation hitherto best known for its quality tea has captivated the hearts of fans worldwide with its exciting brand of cricket.

Enjoying one of their finest hours, the Sri lankans rose from the ranks of minnows of cricket to world champions, winning the World Cup, one-day cricket`s most prestigious prize.

The euphoria of that triumph last month is not over and daily newspapers are filled with congratulatory advertisements from grateful Sri Lankans.

In this part of the world cricket is a way of life -- people eat, drink and talk cricket all the time. National cricketers are heroes and even women are ardent and knowledgeable fans.

"The game has changed a lot but Sri Lankans have always played the game for the game`s sake -- that spirit has remained,`` says Gamini Goonesena, one of the country`s veteran cricketers who played for Cambridge University and English county Nottinghamshire in the mid-fifties.

If their side is playing hardly any work gets done at home or the office and nobody seems to mind.

There was an eager anticipation across the country on March 17 when Sri Lanka played Australia in the World Cup final.

One priest concluded his morning mass with the usual benediction and added "may you all enjoy the cricket". A bridal couple hastily installed two giant TVs in their reception hall to ensure their guests would be updated with the scores.

Commentaries are usually relayed in the island`s three languages -- Sinhala, Tamil and English -- another tribute to the enthusiasm the sport has created, injecting a unifying presence to a country wracked by ethnic strife.

This paradise island has been plagued by an ethnic war that has claimed more than 50,000 lives. The country`s success at cricket has been a welcome respite for its war-weary people.

The frenetic activity whipped up over a cricket match is in sharp contrast to the leisurely pace of life in this island where the easy-going nature of people has endeared itself to most outsiders.

"Sri Lankans are extremely tolerant and although the passions run high they never turn ugly and cricketers are never under any threat, even if they perform badly,`` says Bandula Warnapura, Sri Lanka`s first test cricket captain.

On almost every street corner and on every village green young boys are playing cricket.

The cricketing gear used varies greatly with the location -- on the street a metal dustbin or wooden plank serves as the wicket. The bowling crease is marked by a pair of rubber slippers from a member of the batting side.

They have kept pace with changes, though, with an extra pair of slippers used to mark the area of a wide ball.

The longest unbroken series of cricket matches is not in England -- the home of the game -- but in Sri Lanka, which learnt the game from the English.

Every year in March the school cricket season reaches its climax with the traditional "Big Matches`` between rival schools.

Royal College and St Thomas`s College, two of the most elite schools in the country, this year played their 117th "Battle of the Blues`` in an unbroken series which began in 1879.

The Sri Lankan cricketers plan to maintain the momentum of their World Cup triumph and extend their prowess to the test arena.

Last year they launched a special fund raising programme called Cricket Fund 2000 to generate cash to help make Sri Lanka the top cricketing nation by the year 2000.

At the time that idea seemed fanciful. But not since their World Cup triumph.

They may or may not achieve their goal but one thing is certain: the Sri Lankan team will enjoy themselves, win more hearts and have a cricket crazy nation cheering them on.

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