Sri Lanka - Paranjape Back To Help Bloomfield Stay On Top (26 Jul 1996)

26 July 1996

Paranjape back to help Bloomfield stay on top

By SA`ADI THAWFEEQ

The name of Vasu Paranjape, the former Bombay and national coach of India may not be synonymous with Sri Lanka cricket, but it is very much with Bloomfield cricket.

Paranjape has been associated with the club since first coming here in 1979-80. He also made a visit in 1980-81 and on both occasions, was instrumental in helping Bloomfield win the division I Sara trophy title for three consecutive years. He is presently on his third visit, all made at the invitation of his good friend Shelly Wickramasinghe, the long-standing president of Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club.

"When Shelly says come, it is an order,`` said Paranjape, who will be coaching the Bloomfield division I and under 24 teams for a period of three months with a few breaks in between.

What is most significant of Paranjape`s visit on this occasion is that Bloomfield are generous enough to make his services available to any club or school that requires his help. He began with St. Peter`s College yesterday.

"Although we have national players, we still feel the final touches to the national players as well as the youngsters who will follow them, need coaching. That is why we have engaged Vasu for this season. We will also do so in the years to come,`` said Wickramasinghe.

"Now that Bloomfield is a top cricketing club and in all respects, Bloomfield has a place in Sri Lanka cricket, I and my committee has thought it fit to get down coaches, so that we will always remain on top,`` he added.

"Vasu is an amiable man. He has quickly adjusted to our conditions and players,`` Wickramasinghe said.

One Bloomfield cricketer whom Paranjape will be working closely with is Sri Lanka`s ace pinch-hitter, Sanath Jayasuriya whom he has the highest regard as an opening batsman.

"He is incredible. I have never seen anyone bat like him in my life. He synchronises batting,`` said Paranjape, who in his 30 years as a cricket coach has seen players in the calibre of Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri and Sachin Tendulkar pass through his hands.

Paranjape played for Bombay in the Ranji trophy tournament for ten consecutive years before becoming the Indian Cricket Board`s director of coaching. He is currently involved as coach with the MRF Pace Foundation in Madras and the Cricket Club of India (CCI), who will be hosting the next World Masters Over 35 cricket tournament in November. He also has the distinction of taking a century off the Sri Lankan (then All-Ceylon) attack playing for Bombay in 1964-5.

Turning the spotlight on India, who are due in Sri Lanka for the four-nation Singer World Series, Paranjape said that they were a very good side and what they lacked was a third fast bowler.

He also praised Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga for winning the World Cup.

"From the adversity Arjuna went through in Australia, he kept his cool to win the World Cup,`` he said.

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