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by Richard Dwight

Much is being said these days of our Sri Lankan Cricketers, of their extraordinary performance and, of records either being equalled or surpassed. Mindful too are we, of the nitty, gritty grind of tension and pressure that comes about from the exacting demands of 'Test Cricket'.

But when the umpires pick up the bails, call off play for the day and the TV cameras are switched off and the public gaze has turned away. Then even they, our cricketers who as celebrities and role models now - could find relief, human as they are, without being misunderstood to let their guard down, to relax, unwind and be their natural selves.

This happy mix of playing it hard on the field of play and then later on, letting go, off it, in their affable, genial ways, enjoying the company of each other - has to a large extent kindled a high sense of unity, with togetherness and oneness of spirit which needless to say, has bonded them to act collectively as one single outfit, doing battle right there in the middle.

Away from the field of play, these cricketers are found to be a fun loving set of young men. Who, as the others, like the good things of life, having a fondness to dance their cares away. An exercise said to help improve the movement of one's feet, which is so necessary in a game of cricket.

That's not all, quite a few of them are talented singers, a fact that was driven home, when they were featured in the TV program 'Rhythm Chat' (recorded earlier). Viewers saw them on the screen singing, with as well, much humour thrown in for good measure.

The TV station had done well to bring them in, during rain interruptions to play at the Galle Test match against the Indians. The contrasting moods of the cricketers on the field of play and their relaxed gaiety, in the atmosphere of the 'Garage' a popular night club, was indeed striking.

Here they were, casually seated on tyres, barrels and other motor accessories, with repartee and rejoinders being bandied about and solos rendered by Romesh, Vaas, Promodya skipper Sanath and the other members joining in - truly a happy set up, that augurs well for the fostering of a spirit of camaraderie and deep rooted fellowship.

It's well-known that displays of sportsmanship and the love for music, stem from an inward spirit of goodness and well-being. Tangible expression of this was seen in the third and final Test match against India at the SSC grounds, when the Sri Lankan cricketers took time off during the lunch interval to speak to the physically disabled soldiers, who had come, perhaps with much discomfort, to see Sanath and his team perform.

Small though this act by our cricketers be, nonetheless it must surely have at least to some extent, cushioned off the blow inflicted upon them. What's more this symbolic gesture, carries a deep moral message to the many on the grounds and the millions catching the action on TV.

This benevolent attitude of our cricketers, has fermented to grow, in that they have shown concern over the drought - stricken people in the Hambantota area, which is commendable.

Steve Waugh

Let's go further to dwell on Australia's fine captain Steve Waugh. Msot of us know of his involvement in doing his little bit for the lepers in India. After a tour of that country, he showed his folk at home a tape on the lepers in India. After a tour of that country, he showed his folk at home a tape on the lepers of India and when the tape had ended, there was a chilling silence in the hall, amidst which Steve said. "Having seen it all now, I hope you'll not ask anything for yourselves in the future".

The unity amongst the Australian cricketers, arises from the fact that Steve Waugh gets them to do things together, when not actively playing. A case in point was the teams diversion to Gallipoli on their way to England, designed to put the players in touch with each other as well as their nation's past. Here's what Steve says.

"I don't want our focus jsut to be cricket. That's something we're trying to get away from. I had lunch with Major-General Peter Cosgrove, who led the Australia forces in East Timor and as we talked about it, we both thought it would be a great idea for the team to go to Gallipoli. We don't want to be seen just as cricketers or to see each other only as cricketers".

Steve struck a note of humility on arrival in England after losing a series in India, which put a halt to their winning streak of 16 Tests, when he said "The team had to learn how to lose well too". Adding how thrilling it would be if England could give them another opportunity of losing.

Yes, how true, it's just not a question of cricket, cricket and cricket all the time, for there is much more to life than cricket, which the wise cricketer will imbibe, whilst playing this great game.

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