The Colombo Oval and I

The majestic Oval scoreboard clock showed ten minutes to three on a Sunday afternoon when our final wicket fell. We had conceded first innings points by a small margin to Moors in a P. Sara Trophy encounter.

- By S. SKANDAKUMAR

The year was 1972 and it was my first game for the club.

The many Moors supporters hugged each other and left the venue to return to Braybrook Place to celebrate.

With just half an hour left to tea, and two hours thereafter to the end of the game, their optimism was justified.

In our dressing room our skipper Benedictine Tony Appathurai had other ideas.

“I want five by tea” he thundered as he briskly led us back on to the field for that half an hour.

I admired his arrogance !

We came back for tea with Moors tottering at 11 for 4!

Johnian Sooriakumar and Josephian Vij Johnpillai produced an inspired opening spell grabing two wickets each.

Immediately after the tea break, Tony handed the ball to me whispering “ polish them off*

Forty five minutes later the final Moors wicket fell with their total at 19 and I had the flattering figures of 5 overs 3 maidens 2 runs 4 wickets !!

We knocked off the required thirty odd runs for the loss of one wicket. Tony insisted that I went in at three to make the winning hit. We were home by 9 wickets with time to spare and so began my memorable fifty three year association with the finest sporting and social club in Colombo !

Appreciation

Having watched International cricket at the Oval as a schoolboy from the Gandhi stands, queuing up from 4 in the morning to get a ticket, the experience of playing on that hallowed turf was magical.

Prior to that, it was twice in successive years (1965 and 66 ) in the Royal -Thomian and once in the Gopalan Trophy, (1970) and yet now I was there with an identity. Yes I belonged to that great venue !