Ranil Abeynaike - My team mate in England

I am penning a few lines on my dear friend Ranil on his 5 death anniversary which was on the 2l of February. 1 played cricket with Ranil and closely associated with him in England.

In 1979 1 captained a Team Called Simon C.C in the south Lancashire Cricket League. I was left with the task of filling the Professional for the forth coining season.the First choice Professional S.jeganathan was unable to fulfill his promise to play for Simon. C.C as he was selected for the Sri Lankan squad.the club committee was in panic as there was only 3 weeks for the start of the season. I managed to contact my friend and Team mate from Ananda who had just arrived in The UK to play cricket.to cut a long story short Sidath Wettimuny recommended that Ranil Abeynaike would be the ideal candidate to fill the professional spot for the upcoming season. I can proudly say that I was instrumental in bringing Ranil to League Cricket in the Lancashire and Cheshire area.

Ranil arrived in 1979 end of April as the winter was just finishing but it was bitterly cold.the first match was played against Lancaster House and he made a 60 in brilliant fashion. He continued to make runs and also took wickets in the league and cup. His contribution helped to win the League and Simon C.C were semi-finalist in the South Lancashire league cup.

Ranil believed in training every day and second team members used to join him as he was also a qualified coach. He had a tremendous gift of coaching seniors and juniors who admired his skills. Ranil built a trust with all the senior players at the club and fitted into the Team.

The highlight of the season was when 1 joined with up Ranil, Sidath and few members in a six-a-side competition at Poynton, where the club professional for that year was Sidath Wettimuny.the six-a-side squad amassed a total of 106 runs in 6 overs, Ranil and Sidath opened the batting and scored 55 in 3 overs, when Sidath got out caught at long on for 33 off 9 balls.! joined Ranil for the last three overs and scored another 51 runs in 18 balls. Ranil scored a brilliant 50 while I chipped in with 1 8 in 4 balls. Our team ended winning the Poynton six-a-side which is a annual event.

Ranil was a popular sports personality who was invited by many clubs to participate in various limited over competition as he was a good all-rounder.the 1979 season helped him to secure a contract with the Hertfordshire minor counties side.

In 1980 1 parted company and joined Poynton as a support batsman to Duleep Mendis who signed as the club professional for that year. I did not meet Ranil for a few seasons as he did spend time in the south of the country.

I must finally say that he was one of the best cricketers whom I had the privilege of playing with. I will always remember him as a hero who helped me out in Cricket during my career at Sirnon. C.C. I think everybody who is a cricket lover miss his presence dearly. -MAHES DE ZOYSA