Ashley de Silva - first Josephian Test player

Life and times in sports by Premasara Epasinghe

St. Joseph's College, Maradana is one of the crest jewels of Catholic education in Sri Lanka. This great seat of learning was started on 2nd March 1896. The College was opened by the then Governor of Ceylon Sir West Ridgeway. Father Charles Collin, was the first Rector of St. Joseph's.

Several distinguished sons passed through its portals. Scholar, botanist and great educationist Father Le Goc, French father Nicholas, Father Peter Pillai and Father Don Peter were some of the outstanding Rectors, if you name a few from the galaxy of those who headed the institution.

Today, I feature the first Test cricketer produced by St. Joseph's College, Colombo, wicket-keeper batsman Ashley Mathew de Silva.

St. Joseph's have a very proud history in cricket. The first inter-school cricket match against Royal was played in 1898 and their first encounter with S. Thomas College was in 1905. These two fixtures are some of the old uninterrupted school cricket fixtures in Sri Lanka.

Some of the Joes who later represented All-Ceylon, and Sri Lanka in cricket that come to mind are Cecil Horan, George Pereira, D. S. Jayasundera, T. H. Kelaart, Johnpulle, Malcolm Spittel, Lou Spittel, Gerry Gooneratne, Hector Perera, Fairlie Dalpadatu, Makin Salih, Norton Fredrick, Malcolm Franke, Brian Obeysekera. They never got the opportunity of playing Test cricket, as Sri Lanka gained Test status in 1982.

Outstanding school cricketer

Wicket-keeper batsman Ashley de Silva, was an outstanding school cricketer who excelled during the period ranging from 1978-1982. In 1981/1982 season alone, he scored 8 centuries. Further, he was adjudged the Best Fielder and runner-up to the Schoolboy Cricketer. Schoolboy Cricketer was Arjuna Ranatunga.

After leaving school, Ashley played for Tamil Union and Colombo Cricket Club, in the first class league.

Born on 3rd December 1963, in Colombo, Ashley's parents are Astor de Silva and Maureen de Silva. Ashley's father, Astor, is a fine ambidextrous tennis player, who represented NCC. I really enjoyed playing tennis with him in the 1980s, at the Nondescripts Cricket Club courts.

Brief Test and ODI career

Ashley de Silva had a brief and short Test and ODI career. But, his first class performances in 1984/1985 - 1995/1996 was very impressive.

In 61 matches, 89 innings, he scored 2,336 runs. His highest score was 186. He remained unbeaten on eleven occasions. As a wicket keeper, he held 121 catches and accounted for 16 stumps.

In 1984/1985 - 1993/1994, Ashley played in 18 ODI matches and in 15 innings, scored 346 runs with the highest score of 87 not out.

As a stumper, he held 19 catches and stumped 6 batsmen.

Keeper - vital position

Of all positions in the field that of the wicket-keeper is at once the most important and most exacting. It is laid down as an absolute principle in team selection, the best wicket-keeper, irrespective of all other considerations, should always be chosen.

For the benefit of young budding wicket-keepers, I must mention that a wicket-keeper must stand either right up or right back: there can be no half way house.

Cricket administration

After his retirement from Test and ODI cricket, he took up to cricket administration. Charming, pleasant, unassuming Ashley, was the manager of the SL under-17 team and later was appointed as under-19 manager of the Sri Lanka cricket team in 2004.

Present SL under-19 manager

Presently, he is the manager of the Sri Lanka under-19 team, which will tour Pakistan from 15th March, 2005.

Good family man

Ashley de Silva is married to Michelle. She is a tower of inspiration to him. They are blessed with a son and a daughter. Son Amesh (16), is a junior cricketer at St. Joseph's College. Daughter Sharleen (14), is studying at Ladies College, Colombo.

Ashley is a complete cricketer - a gentleman of the highest order.