NONDESCRIPTS CC HAS STAR STUDDED CRICKET HISTORY
Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) celebrated its 125th Anniversary on November 23, 2013. The NCC has a proud cricket history. NCC have been arch cricket rivals with their neighbours the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) over the years. These two clubs together have produced as many as 50 to 60 percent of the national cricketers in the country. Their contributions to the game are virtually indispensable.
Large crowds over the years thronged Maitland Place to see these two great clubs in action against each other. Despite their tremendous rivalry on the field cricket has been played the way it should be. Unfortunately due to the structures of the board tournaments there were times when the two clubs did not meet each other every season. In order to maintain this relationship the annual NCC vs SSC limited over encounter for the J. R. Jayewardene Trophy was born.
NCC in particular enjoys a starstudded cricket history since its slippery climb in 1888 and has served the national cause in a great way over the years. Only two other clubs have forged ahead of them. They are Malay CC and Colts CC.
Slowly, but surely NCC made the climb after Sri Lanka gained Independence in 1948 and made it a champion club thanks to the concerted team efforts of administrators and players.
Several diehard cricketers were there to celebrate the 125th Anniversary. Amongst the Golden Oldies were Dr. H.I.K Fernando, Michael Tissera, Fitzroy Crozier (all the way from Australia), Roy Dias, Tony Opatha, Gamini Wickremasinghe, Hemantha Devapriya who did proud for the National team followed by Marlon Fernandopulle, Marlon Ranasinghe, Upali Ahangama, M. Devaraj (with a safe and big pair hands who could be tagged as Colin Bland of S. Africa) for his brilliant fielding, evergreen Leo Wijesinghe still serving the game despite years rolling by.
Undoubtedly celebrating 125 years in existence was a rendezvous for the past and present generations. For NCC the game was more important than winning trophies. Apparently money culture and politics in sport to win at all cost has tarnished the game’s image worldwide now.
Chandra Schaffter (a cricketer and a gentleman) is one of the best to come out of the Anglican school, by the side of the sea. He started all by himself. He was like Brian Statham. He could have walked into any country in England like Stanley Jayasinghe and Clive Inman (NCC). Clive had the distinction of scoring six sixes in an over for Glamorgan. Chandra, despite a hard grinding in the years gone by continued his academic and today has something to fallback. He is helping the needy without distinction. Well known cricketer Vernon Prins was one of the beneficiaries. A GREAT DAY It was a great day. There also were Ranjith Fernando, Lucky Feranades and ‘Workhorse’ Tony Opatha.
Jayantha Dharmadasa, Chairman Nawaloka Group, and President of Sri Lanka Cricket was the Chief Guest. Guests of honour were ‘Little Dynamo’ Aravinda De Silva and Kumar Sangakkara.There were (NCC) past and present stalwarts. Mahela Jayawardena too graced the occasion.
Arjuna Ranatunga was also there, dressed in a colourful attire. He was the cynosure of all eyes. As a player he was hard as oak and soft as a petal. Arjuna made Sri Lanka cricket climb the Everest to win the World Cup with a scintillating score coming from “Ara” in the mould of Viv Richards.
NCC, never mixed sports (cricket) with power hungry politics. This was an example set by past president Dr. N.M. Perera. The chief guest Jayantha Dharmadasa and those seated at the head table have not forgotten their past and their humble beginnings and the parents who helped them to stand upright like white lotus flowers today. This is something that NCC has taught. Always abide by its principles, play to the rules, respect authority on and off the field, mind your language and respect elders (parents). One could buy almost anything with money but definitely not motherly love.
The traditional oil lamp was lit. The future generation should take note of its flame to help those in need and help them to come out of the dark valley. The present office- bearers have excelled at their jobs with Lucky Fernandes in the driving seat and with Camillus Abeygunawardena leading the way as a breakaway forward, making the moves with no stone unturned.
NCC, with a rich cricket, heritage has a good future with a sound financial structure. The rank and file in the past had politicians led by Dr. N.M. Perera a fine tennis player and later president, Bernard Soysa and Lalith Athulathmudali followed. The trio never polluted cricket with politics.
PRIDE OF NCC
Ranjan Madugalle, came up the hard way from Royal and led the team in the centenary against S. Thomas’ in 1979. The same year he won the Sri Lanka cap for the Second World Cup at Lord’s. Cricket prepared him to face setbacks in life and fight back. Ranjan moved with everyone and learnt a lot from the NCC. Today he has gained international recognition as World’s number one Referee and acts without fear or favour.
ARAVINDA HAS NOT FORGOTTEN
Aravinda de Silva, the cricket prodigy from D.S. Senanayake MV (college), reached the pinnacle whilst playing for NCC. A gifted cricketer he has won world wide recognition for his batting artistry, to my memory he has scored 100 against every Test playing nation. Cricket was a way of life to him. For the record he captained NCC.A host of greats like Ravi Ratnayake, Rumesh Ratnayake the fastest in the trade, feared by many. Aravinda is a gentle God -fearing humble player. He narrated his life historyê on and off the field. With Arjuna Ranatunga, as skipper he moulded the team into to an outstanding outfit.
Aravinda said that he has not forgotten those who helped him to go places in life. The first is scorer Claude Silva who compiled the books pertaining to his cricket career, school, club and international. Incidentally Claude passed away recently. The next was groundsman (Curator) Allagasamy. He prepared pitches hard and fast (green) no different to the outfield. This assisted when Aravinda played County cricket in England on green top pitches. Thirdly, his beloved father, Sam de Silva the treasurer of the club. He had nursed and nurtured Aravinda on and off the field. “He made me a life member, so that I would not leave the club,” recalled Aravinda. NCC was always Aravinda’s second home. Sam passed away and I am looking after my Amma, the Queen of my heart. My mother looked after my comforts at home and inspired me.
‘Ara’ played a long innings with me for nearly 45 minutes after the meeting bringing back nostalgic memories. The likes of late Abu Fuard and K.M.T. Perera at national level who treated everyone as equals and did a lot to uplift the game at national level and assisted players in their hour of need, featured largely in our conversation.
KUMAR’S ORATICAL SKILLS
Kumar Sangakkara said: “I am proud to be here to address this great happening.” According to Kumar the only person he knew at NCC when he first joined the club was his old ground boy at Trinity College - Nandasena. “Mr. Ranjit Fernando was very helpful to me. Today we are here to celebrate a milestone thanks to them if we few forget them, it’s like forgetting our parents when they are feeble. Cricket is a character building sport. At Trinity we learnt a lot on and off the field. Thanks to Mr. Bertie Wijesinghe. I learnt cricketing skills from Mr. Wijesinghe. Always play a straight bat on and off the field, were Kumar’s parting words.
The NCC cupboard is full with future administrators, Kumar is one of them. The Chairman of the organizing Committee Camillus Abeygunewardena (DIG Retd.) thanked the audience for their presence despite the weather. Camillus thanked the sponsors for all their support, his committee who had made a great sacrifice to push NCC forward. The Print and Electronic Media and he said that NCC would continue to serve cricket at all levels.
The President of the MCA Ashley Ratnayake, cricket commentator Eric Gauder, Nishantha Ranatunga, Secretary SLCA and D.L. Seneviratne and many other past celebrities graced the great happening. To my memory there is only one all time legend and that is Mahendra Sathasivam. ‘Satha’ made history as the NCC grounds. Coming out of remand prison over a family issue, he was exonerated. He was picked to play for the Rest XI led by F.C. de Saram against the strong Mercantile XI.
Maestro Sathasivam made cricket history at the NCC without protective gear. ‘Satha’ is an all time legend with the willow. He has played with the likes of Stanley Jayasinghe, Mike Tissera and Lucky Gunatilleke.
‘Satha’ is a product of Wesley. He never believed in records but entertained cricket lovers. Cricketers such as Sir Frank Worrel, Keith Miller, and Vijay Merchant were his ardent admirers.