Lalith Kaluperuma as a ‘nightwatchman’

In cricket, the term ‘nightwatchman’ is given to a lower-order batsman who is sent in to bat higher up in the order than usual – generally, near a break – for instance at tea-time/lunch or towards the end of the day’s play – in order to save the wicket of a senior batsman.

The main idea being to maintain most of the strike until close of play (hopefully remaining unbeaten, as well, hence the name) and so protect other more capable batsmen from being out cheaply in what may be due to a period of tiredness or in poor light at the end of the day.

However the nightwatchman’s effort is not considered to be wasted, nor are they expected to play foolishly; otherwise they would not last very long. The role of nightwatchman is generally given to players who emphasise defensive technique over quick run-scoring.

However, there have been occasions when nightwatchmen have made a big scores, six have made centuries in Test matches. For instance, Australian Jason Gillespie (in the role of a nightwatchman) heads the list having made 201 not out against Bangladesh at Chittagong in 2006. Generally speaking, the nightwatchman plays conservatively during the early part of his innings, but the next day may be allowed a freer role to score runs.

The tactic has its drawbacks too. For instance, if the nightwatchman gets out before the end of the day, the batting team may need to send out a more capable batsman to prevent the loss of further wickets. However if the nightwatchman does survive until the end of the day, the beginning of the next day’s play will see refreshed bowlers bowling at a less capable batsman. As a result, not all captains use the tactic; Steve Waugh, for example, using a leaf from the tactics from Don Bradman, abandoned the tactic during his captaincy of Australia.

The nightwatchman is not to be confused with the pinch hitter, namely, an early/middle to lower order batsman who is promoted up the order in limited-overs games, or in Test/ First Class games where their team is looking for a quick declaration, in the pursuit of quick runs without too much concern for their wickets.

Alex Tudor of England was close to making a century as a nightwatchman; he made 99 not out against New Zealand in 1999 at Edgbaston, and was stranded one run short of his maiden Test century when Graham Thorpe got the total to the point where a boundary was needed for the win with Tudor being on 95 runs. Tudor then hit the winning runs with a four, leaving Thorpe unfortunately stranded unbeaten on 99.

Another instance was when the fast bowler Harold Larwood, In the controversial final Test of the 1932-33 Ashes series, made 98 as a nightwatchman, the highest innings made in the role up to that time.

Closer at home was when Pakistan toured Sri Lanka in 1976. They were listed to play two four-day games and two ODI matches. Of course Sri Lanka was made Full Members of the ICC only in 1981.

Sri Lanka won the first 4-day game mainly due to Lalith Kaluperuma – better known as an off-spinner - coming in to bat as nightwatchman when Sri Lanka were reeling at 4/19 – Sunil Wettimuny (8), Ranjit Fernando (1), skipper Anura Tennekoon (2) and Bandula Warnapura (2) being the victims.

However, Kaluperuma went on to score an invaluable 96 runs in this game, and in the second innings, Kaluperuma again rose to the occasion by scoring an unbeaten 50, and with Roy Dias 24 not out, was associated in an unbroken partnership of 80 runs to give Sri Lanka a magnificent win by 4 wickets.

Sometimes, and not without reason, there is speculation as to why are questions are asked as to why batsmen being let loose to the crease in the form as nightwatchmen when there are better batsmen who can look after their wickets.