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by Elmo Rodrigopulle

Dr. Cyril Ernest, the former Benedictine cricketer of the late fifties is in town from the United States on a short holiday with his charming wife Indranee.

Dr. Ernest who played under Lionel Fernando in 1959 and under this writer in 1960 is the guest of Ranjit and Ramani Fernando. Ranjit and Ramani need no introduction. Ranjit as cricketer and TV commentator and Ramani of Ramani Salons.

Cyril has flown in to watch the Sri Lankan cricketers play the West Indies and when this appears will be in Galle keenly watching the Lankans play and hoping they achieve victory, which after the second day's play does not seem possible.

Cyril is a highly qualified cardiologist in the States and managed to squeeze in a holiday from his very heavy schedule.

An allrounder of extraordinary talent Cyril played for St. Benedict's, Nondescripts and the Adastrians and went on to sport All Ceylon colours against Sir Colin Cowdrey's MCC team that played at the Colombo Oval in 1969.

All Ceylon was captained by one of the best captains of that time, the famous Michael Tissera.

As a tantalising off spinner excellent fielder and dashing batsman, Cyril was the dream of every captain and team. Today Sri Lanka cricket is yearning for this class of allrounder.

Cyril vividly remembers the match against the MCC at the Oval where for the first time Ceylon beat a MCC team.

'It was a great honour to sport All Ceylon colours and play under an efficient leader like Tissera. He was a natural leader who could get the best out of everyone by example' said Cyril.

In that game Cyril captured the wickets of Cowdrey and Basil D' Oliveira. He was unfortunate not to score being bowled by Bob Cottam.

However he says he was proud to be in that team that beat the MCC for the first time.

Cyril continued playing cricket in the States and was also involved in its administration.

As a doctor in the Air Force he played for Adastrians under former Air Vice Marshal Oliver Ranasinghe before leaving for the US.

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