Opener plays a vital role in cricket team (10 December 1998)

10 December 1998

Opener plays a vital role in cricket team

By Premasara Epasinghe

In cricket, there is no other pleasing sight than to see a batsman in full cry. The technique will always add grace to batsmanship. Batting is an art. First and foremost, cricket is a batsman's game. On the cricketing stage the batsman is the star performer.

Of all positions in the batting line up, I personally feel, through experience, the opening berth is the most difficult one. To begin with an opening batsman should know his strengths and weaknesses and should possess a very clear view on how to play within both.

Virtually, everytime that openers go out to bat, they always enter an unknown territory. Psychologically, they go through a terrific time. Their main duty is to take the shine off the ball and give the side a solid start. Lot of the team's success will depend on them. Therefore, they have a big responsibility to keep the team spirit at a very high level. Therefore an openers play an important role in a side.

What are the important ingredients that will make a successful opener. To begin with, you must have a flair for it. Usually, opening batsman generally faces the fast-bowlers. Therefore, they should not be afraid. As usual for any batsman, the opener should posses a good eye and its a plus factor, if you have the correct technique. Another important factor is the right temperament. Further, you must be intelligent, and must have a high sense of responsibility. Patience, determination and ability to concentrate are other requirements to become a successful opener.

To be a successful opener is to have a good understanding with your partner. Indeed, I was fortunate that during my school cricket career at Nalanda, I opened with Sarath Silva and Mitra Siriwardane two of the best openers. I still remember, one valuable advice our coach Gerry Goonerathna gave us. "Get to the bowler's end as much as possible".

Our Parliament can boast of some of the finest school cricketers of yesteryear. To name a few, Speaker K.B. Ratnayake had the proud distinction of leading ten Tamil schoolboys, when he captained Hartley College, Jaffna. Two Cabinet Ministers and Lakshman Kadirgamar and former President of BCCSL Lakshman Jayakody represented Trinity First XI in the forties as teammates and Deputy Minister Janaka Tennekoon played for Dharmaraja. My teammate, Gamini Jayawickrema Perera, fiery left arm paceman from Nalanda who resigned from Parliament this week captained Nalanda in 1960. (Incidentally, his rival Benedictine captain was Elmo Rodrigopulle Sports Editor of Daily News)

Tyronne Fernando, a Member of Parliament and a former President of the Board of Control for Cricket has created history by being the first Sri Lankan M.P. to write a Book on cricket-titled King of Cricket - Sri Lanka's path to victory at World Cup 96.

He is a graduate of Oxford University and played cricket for Keble College and is a Barrister at Law of Gray's Inn, London and holds a Diploma in Journalism.

With his journalistic ability, Tyronne Fernando, President's Counsel traces the history of Sri Lanka cricket, its achievements, run-up to the World Cup and how Sri Lanka became the kings of cricket, in his book, which is well worth reading.

A big bouquet should be given to author Fernando, in enriching the cricket literature in both Sinhala and English which will help the cricket loving public. Further, as a cricket administrator and a promoter of this noble game, he will donate the entire sale proceeds of this book in aid of Colombo South Cricket School and other projects. This is a fine gesture no doubt.

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