[Article] Master Batsman Aravinda
rsci
by Premasara Epasinghe
Aravinda de Silva is the world's greatest batsman today. He has
been ranked number one batsman by WISDEN - the world's most ac-
cepted cricket rankings.
To become a good batsman, fast footwork, unerring judgement or
brilliant eye sight is necessary. Aravinda de Silva possesses
all. But there is one faculty which made him superior to others
and extra-special. He can judge the ball almost as soon as the
ball leaves the bowler's hand.
Aravinda who plays for the NCC is blessed with a quicker brain
and quicker judgement than any other batsman in the world today.
Undoubtedly, the whole country is proud of him. His innings at
Lord's recently representing the World XI was a rare gem. We were
fortunate to see Sachin Tendulkar (125) and Aravinda de Silva
(82) building that mammoth partnership. Cricket, undoubtedly was
at its best at the Mecca of Cricket - Lords that day. It was a
proud moment for Sri Lanka. Master batsman Aravinda is one crick-
eter who puts country before self and brought credit and honour
to Sri Lanka.
Aravinda de Silva has become the darling of every spectator. He
came into the limelight in 1985 during the Pakistan tour, with
three centuries to his credit. I was very fortunate to commentate
throughout this tour. I still remember on his 20th birthday (17-
10-1985) how young Aravinda smashed the reputed Imran Khan, prac-
tically off his length, to a towering six on the leg side to
reach the three figure mark. At this young age, he showed class
and within years, he became a superb matured player.
I saw from the commentary box at Lahore in the World Cup finals,
how Aravinda de Silva and Asanka Gurusinha playing under tremen-
dous pressure made a determined innings of character and showed
how, in a difficult situation the scoring rate could be ac-
celerated. Gurusinha played a sheet anchor role. They laid a
125-run solid foundation and when Gurusinha departed with a solid
half a century, skipper Arjuna Ranatunga joined Aravinda, who was
at his brilliant best. De Silva scored an unbeaten (107 n.o. -
124 balls - 13 x 4) century and Arjuna was undefeated with 47
runs (37 balls - 4 x 4 - 1 x 6). This was De Silva's 5th ODI hun-
dred in his 18th match. He thus became the most hundred maker for
Sri Lanka. De Silva also claimed three wickets in Australia's in-
nings in the final. He became the fourth allrounder in ODI histo-
ry after Vivian Richards, Deve Callaghan, and Chris Cairns and
first in the World Cup history to score a hundred and claim three
wickets and held two brilliant catches in the same match. Furth-
er, De Silva won his fourth "Man of the Match Award". This is a
new record of most man of match awards in a single World Cup.
Earlier, he was level with Graham Gooch and Mark Waugh who were
awarded three man of the match awards in 1987 and 1996.
When interviewed after receiving the "Man of the Match Award",
Aravinda said that he reserved the best for the last. He certain-
ly meant every word he said with that stupendous historical
allround performance.
Another of his great achievements that come to mind is his stint
with Kent in the English county championships in the year 1996.
Being the first Sri Lankan Test cricketer to represent an English
county, he made it both record-breaking and memorable one and
kept the country's flag flying high. In that season, he was the
first batsman in the tournament to score 1000 runs. He almost
single handedly took his county Kent into the final of the Prem-
ier One Day Tournament, the Benson and Hedges Cup. On the day of
the finals he lit up Lords with a majestic hundred bringing vic-
tory to Kent after many years.
Former Prime Minister John Major, who was a keen spectator was
amazed at Aravinda's batting prowess and showered praise on our
little master's batting display.
It was at the age of 10 years Abu Fuard and the late K. M. T.
Perera spotted, this tiny, little boy. Aravinda was playing
tennis ball cricket in the back garden with his father Sam de
Silva. They informed W. A. N. Silva, who was coaching D. S.
Senanayake MV Juniors to keep an eye on this boy. As a junior
cricketer, this naturally gifted player for the first time at
practices, got an auspicious start sending the first ball he
faced from an elder fast bowler over the roof of the D. S.
Senanayake College building. His Teacher, guide and philosopher
is Mr. R. I. T. Alles founder Principal of D. S. Senanayake MV.
The present Cricket Manager, Ranjith Fernando, contributed im-
mensely to guide Aravinda in his cricketing career watching his
every more very closely.
The late Mr. Gamini Dissanayake too was a great inspiration to
Aravinda who took to playing club cricket at the tender age of
15.
A great quality of Aravinda, is that he never lost his balance.
In the vapourings of flattery, Aravinda never allowed his head to
expand. He always respects his teachers. Soft-spoken Aravinda, a
Buddhist, meditates and this may be one reason for him to improve
his power of concentration. Although he moves about in flashy
cars, he is unassuming, gentle and polite. He gets involved in
social service activities too. On his last birthday he gifted a
cricket pitch to school for the blind.
Consistency is a hall mark of a champion. There are many records
that Aravinda can boast of. One notable record is that he became
the first and only Test cricketer in the world to notch twin un-
beaten centuries in a Test match. This he did on April 30, 1997,
at the SSC grounds when he scored 138 not out in the first in-
nings and 103 not in the second innings against Pakistan. Later
in the Test match played against India (9th to 13th August 1997)
Aravinda scored 146 and 120 respectively. SSC and Lords (where he
scored a scintillating hundred for Kent) seems to be pet hunting
grounds for Aravinda.
From the commentary box on a number of occasions, I have noticed
the first sight of him as he emerged from the pavilion was suffi-
cient to send the whole ground into ecstasy. As a champion bats-
man of the world Aravinda de Silva is a batting artist who has
given happiness and enjoyment to many.
Keep it up Aravinda! Sri Lanka is proud of you!
Mad Hamish
>Master batsman Aravinda is a pride to the nation
>
>by Premasara Epasinghe
>
>
>Aravinda de Silva is the world's greatest batsman today. He has
>been ranked number one batsman by WISDEN - the world's most ac-
>cepted cricket rankings.
and monkeys might fly out of my butt!
Wisden's batting ratings are a long way from being the world's most accepted
cricket ratings.
I have absolutely no doubt as to Aravinda's talent but I think that he's clearly
behind Tendulkar & Waugh in terms of performance in tests. He's a defendable
choice as best one day batsman in the world though.
>
>To become a good batsman, fast footwork, unerring judgement or
>brilliant eye sight is necessary. Aravinda de Silva possesses
>all. But there is one faculty which made him superior to others
>and extra-special. He can judge the ball almost as soon as the
>ball leaves the bowler's hand.
Sorry, but I don't agree with that assesment. As an example of this consider his
poor showing against Warne in Perth where he consistantly misjudged the ball
while trying to charge.
>
>Aravinda who plays for the NCC is blessed with a quicker brain
>and quicker judgement than any other batsman in the world today.
Again, I'll back Waugh and Tendulkar against him, Lara as well when he's in
form.
>
>Aravinda de Silva has become the darling of every spectator. He
>came into the limelight in 1985 during the Pakistan tour, with
>three centuries to his credit. I was very fortunate to commentate
>throughout this tour. I still remember on his 20th birthday (17-
>10-1985) how young Aravinda smashed the reputed Imran Khan, prac-
>tically off his length,
Let's not forget that by 85 Imran's bowling was badly cut down by stress
fractures in his legs. From 83-84 onwards he was largely a batsman at test
level.
>
>Consistency is a hall mark of a champion.
Which has count heavily against Aravinda. Consistency is _not_ the term I would
use to describe his record.
> There are many records
>that Aravinda can boast of. One notable record is that he became
>the first and only Test cricketer in the world to notch twin un-
>beaten centuries in a Test match. This he did on April 30, 1997,
>at the SSC grounds when he scored 138 not out in the first in-
>nings and 103 not in the second innings against Pakistan.
Care to name the attack?
****************************************************************************
The Politician's Slogan
'You can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all
of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.
Fortunately only a simple majority is required.'
****************************************************************************
Mad Hamish
Hamish Laws
h_l...@postoffice.utas.edu.au
h_l...@tassie.net.au
Simon Thompson
Hamish) wrote:
> >Aravinda de Silva is the world's greatest batsman today. He has
> >been ranked number one batsman by WISDEN - the world's most ac-
> >cepted cricket rankings.
>
> and monkeys might fly out of my butt!
> Wisden's batting ratings are a long way from being the world's most accepted
> cricket ratings.
If their barring rankings are as badly designed, and as illigical as
their test rankings, they are worse than useless.
-----------------------------------------
Simon Thompson
Christchurch
New Zealand