One of Sri Lanka's finest allrounders

Gamini Goonesena, who captained Sri Lanka in their pre-Test era and played for Cambridge University and Nottinghamshire, died at the age of 80 earlier this week. Mahinda Wijesinghe pays tribute in Sri Lanka's Sunday Times.

Goonesena was a mere ‘net bowler’ and had not been selected for a single game during the season. Conducting practices that fateful evening was coach F.C. de Saram, a percipient observer of the game and its players. In an inspired move, breaking with all traditions, de Saram insisted that Goonesena be picked for the ‘Big’ match to be played over the weekend.

This was an unprecedented move in the long history of the tradition-steeped Royal-Thomian encounter, when a player was making his debut in the ‘Big’ match. Many eyebrows were raised, traditionalists were shocked, and the dreams of a few young hopefuls shattered. Goonesena played and climbed the first steps on the ladder of fame by capturing 4/46 in the match – dismissing both Thomian openers in the crucial second innings – as Royal cruised to a comfortable 9-wicket victory.