Tamil Union pads up for 125-year celebrations

In a country where cricket runs through the veins like curry through rice, one club has stood tall like a seasoned umpire through rain, shine, and political no-balls.

- REX CLEMENTINE

Yesterday, at their hallowed turf in Borella, Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club one of the elder statesmen of Sri Lankan cricket officially bowled off celebrations to mark a magnificent 125 not out.

Founded way back in 1899, when Queen Victoria still ruled the roost and gentlemen played in flannels, Tamil Union has rubbed shoulders with the heavyweights of Sri Lankan cricket SSC, NCC, CCC, Colts, and Malay CC forming the old guard of the domestic game.

Over the years, the club has unearthed some priceless gems. None shinier than Muttiah Muralitharan, the world's highest wicket-taker, whose doosras and off-breaks left batters groping like blindfolded men in a maze. Long before Murali, the baton was carried by Mahadevan Sathasivam, widely considered the finest Sri Lankan batsman of the pre-Test era a man whose cover drive could melt glaciers.