Saints’ rivalry forged strong bonds of friendship
Aunique moment in history will be visited when players from the inaugural St. Joseph’s versus St. Peter’s One Day match reunite for the 50th year celebrations of this milestone event.
The first-known schools’ 50-over match was played by the Saints at Darley Road on March 16, 1975, paving the way for a style of limited overs cricket that is enjoyed the world over today. The reunion marks the 50th Josephian-Peterite one day game at the SSC grounds on April 6, Saturday.
For the record, St. Peter’s won that first encounter by 5 wickets in a low scoring game. The Josephians scored 118 in 40.3 overs and the Peterites reached their target in the 43rd over, totalling 120 for 5.
But that game was more than a win-loss result -- it forged bonds of friendship that have stood the test of time and reached across oceans. Rival captains Dushan Soza and Bernard Wijetunge are firm friends 50 years later and the mutual respect they have for each other is palpable. Through their banter, you can see they have grown through their leadership roles to enjoy successful careers and be good role models.
There are many stories of friendship. Frank Hubert, the Peterite vice captain had Trevor Croner, the top scorer for the Josephians, as his best man at his wedding, along with other players who lent a hand.
The loss of Croner to an illness in 2004 was a cruel blow to the squad members and the cricketing community. He was making a name for himself as an innovative coach in Brisbane as a valued member of Queensland Cricket’s coaching panel.
Croner’s specialty was biomechanics, in which he used video equipment for slow motion analysis, along with stills. He used his expertise to advise Sri Lankan teams visiting Australia.
The brainchild of this reunion belongs to Charinde Perera, who, spurred on by the multiple friendships forged around the world, mooted this idea as far back as 2014. Charinde, who lives in Los Angeles, California, is stoked the plan has reached fruition.
“I am excited and can’t wait to get to the reunion,” he said.
He can also fondly look back on the events of 50 years ago as he played a winning hand for St. Peter’s, partnering with Angelo Wickremaratne, in an unbroken 51-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Players are descending on Colombo later this month from around the world, including the USA, Australia, England, Morocco, and Pakistan. While most of St. Peter’s squad, barring Suraj Abeysekera, will attend the reunion, sadly the Josephians will miss five members – Trevor Croner, Priyalal de Silva, Ranjit Senaratne,
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Niranjan Weerasinghe and Anura Eliyathamby, who have passed away. No doubt the loss will be deeply felt at the reunion.
Wijetunga and Soza have done a lot of work to bring public attention to that historic first encounter in 1975. In the wave of publicity in the past two weeks, it is important to note what they are saying as one day cricket has changed a lot – some for the better and some for the worse.
On that inaugural match, Soza said: “We took that defeat with much grace.”
Yet, it instilled a kind of selfbelief and will in the Josephians that made them school champions for three consecutive years.
“We were taught to be disciplined, respect each other on and off the field and played the game in its right spirit, living the values that the school had taught us. In those days some of my best friends were made from other schools and are friends to this date,” he said.
“I enjoy banter with my opposing Peterite skipper Bernard, and we always have a good laugh when reminiscing our school and club careers whenever we meet.”
Soza’s advice to the current crop of cricketers: “Remember, through the years, a great culture has been created.”
Wijetunge does not hide his disdain for the bad behaviour of current captains and players, who have been abusing and questioning the umpire’s decisions.
In a press conference, Wijetunge said: “I have seen a captain arguing with the umpire. During our time, the umpire’s word is law. Whether it’s right or wrong you must go.”
He advocated for stronger disciplinary measures for dissent on and off the field.
Final words for schools’ cricketers: “Play the game in the correct spirit.”
--Fun Facts-
There were three historic moments in the first ball bowled: Josephian Rohan Wijesinghe was out for a golden duck, caught by S.C. Rohan Fernando off the bowling of Sunanda Jayasekera. Ironically, opening batsman Fernando also was dismissed for a duck in the Peterite innings.
Angelo Wickremaratne struck the first ball he faced for six. Bernard Wijetunge has the
unique record of being a member of three generations of Peterite cricketers, along with his father Bernard (Snr) and son Sheehan.
The average run rate recorded in the game was 2.9 per over – a far cry from the frenetic pace of one day games today.
The 1975 band of players have a busy schedule of events in early April, from get-togethers to dinners and presentations at the 50th one day game.