Life and times in sport by Premasara Epasinghe

Sylvester Dias - 'typhoon' of 1960 - 1970

 They say fast bowlers are born, not made. What are the qualities of a fast-bowler and his requirements?

The ability to bowl fast; stamina and physical fitness; 'killer' instinct; the ability to think a batsman out; the ability to swing the ball at will; the ability to bowl a good bouncer and yorker; good fielders particularly the slips and wicket-keeper; a good captain; a fast bouncy wicket; these are some of the qualities and requirements.

He was always well-coordinated, athletic and flexible. He possessed a strong will, natural ability, good control, fitness, stamina, guts. All these rolled into one is Sylvester Dias - 'The typhoon of 1960-1970'.

His maiden representation at cricket for Sri Lanka, was in 1963 against Imitiaz Ahamed's Pakistan team, Sylvester Dias took 4 wickets in the first inning. In his first over, third delivery, he bowled Imitiaz Ahamed. He took one wicket in the second inning too. His partner, Norton Fredrick captured one in the first essay and four in the second inning.

Leading pace-bowler

From early 1960s to 1970s, Sylvester Dias retained his position in the Ceylon team as the leading pace-bowler. In 1964-65, Dias was in India with the Ceylon team on their 8-week tour. Under the captaincy of Michael Tissera, Sri Lanka recorded its maiden un-official Test victory in this tour. Abu Fuard, Stanley Jayasinghe, Dr. H. I. K. Fernando, Anuruddha Polonowita M. Devaraja, were some of the other members of this team. Internationally reputed Leicestershire professional, Stanley Jayasinghe scored a century in this victorious match.

As a child collected cricket pictures

"Premasara, my interest began for cricket when I was about 7 years. For nearly two years, I was collecting cricket pictures, paper cuttings and action pictures for great cricketers like Roy Lindwall, Kieth Miller, Don Bradman, Alex Bedser, Terrible W's, Vijaya Merchant etc. When I was about 10 years, I was admitted to St. Anthony's College, Wattala. From my childhood, I like fast bowling. To begin with, I represented college under-14 cricket team as a pace-bowler. I was picked by a senior player, Noel Jansz and Rufus Gunawardane were my coaches. When I was under-15, I joined De Mazenod, Kandana, and played in the first XI. Later, I played for Zahira College, Maradana in the mid-1950s, and opened bowling. Against Dharmaraja College, Kandy, Zahirians piled up a massive total of 536 for 2 wickets. I scored an unbeaten 104 and bowled well and captured a match bag of 13 wickets," stated Dias. In big league, he first played for Bloomfield Cricket Club, and opened bowling with Anandian Bonnie Wijesinghe.

Amazing cricketer - friendly, jovial

Dias was always an amazing cricketer. Although, he was a fast bowler who tormented many batsmen, he was always friendly, jovial and a fine humanbeing.

Dias was always a consistent performer. He played in the region of 15-17 seasons of Premier Division cricket in Sri Lanka and captured 70 to 80 wickets per season.

From Bloomfield, he joined Moratuwa SC, where he blossomed as a great fast bowler. In his first match for Moratuwa, he claimed 5 for 20 against the strong University of Ceylon outfit. After his stint in England and returned home, in the first match played against police, the 'cops' found very difficult to face Sylvester and unplayable. He returned the figures of 7 for 35.

The pair - Sylvester and Norton

In early 1960s, Sylvester Dias and Norton Fredrick used to hurl the red cherry so fast, batsmen were reluctant to open batting. Mind you, in the good old days, when we played school and club cricket there were no protective gear or helmets. Therefore, it was a matter of life and death to face them.

When I was opening bat for Bank of Ceylon in early 1970s, I had the opportunity of facing Sylvester and Norton when they opened the attack for Ceylon Transport Board. They were at their peak at that time. They were really fast and fearsome.

I still remember how I deposited a ball in the Castle Street maternity hospital roof. Of course, with sheer desperation, I hooked Sylvester for a six. Luckily, it connected well, otherwise, I would have been in hospital. I scored 57 runs in this match out of a total of 135 runs.

Professional at Rochdale Lanchashire League

During his professional career at Rochdale Cricket Club in England, he had the proud distinction of playing with Garfield Sobers and other greats.

Fit as a fiddle

Gutty paceman Dias was a bowler who was fit as a fiddle. Playing for North Lancashire League Rochdale Cricket Club, once he bowled 25 overs unchanged. Sobers could not believe it. He asked Sylvester, "Man, what do you eat?" Dias said, "I always keep fit. I am very particular about my food. I always take nutritional food to keep my physical fitness. Therefore, I can bowl long spells," replied Sylvester Dias.

His room-mate in England when he was playing for Rochdale Cricket Club was West Indies left-hander Larry Gomes. West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers and former Pakistan captain, Javed Miandad also played in the Lancashire League, during the period. Dias was with Rochdale CC. He joined Ceylon Transport Board (CTB) as an apprentice.

"I joined CTB, during the time that I was playing for Bloomfield C & AC.

He played cricket for CTB and later captained the team. He went on to play Government Services XI in the inter-services tournaments and Nationalised Services tournaments. Some of his famous contemporaries were Anura Tennekoon, Norton Fredrick, D. P. de Silva, M. Devaraja and Nihal Soysa.

Some of his All Ceylon contemporaries were Stanley Jayasinghe, Clive Inman, Dr. H. I. K. Fernando, Michael Tissera.

Sylvester Dias was born on February 9, 1937. He attended many schools, starting from Holy Cross, Gampaha, St. Anthony's College, Wattala, Zahira College, Matale, De Mazenod College, Kandana, St. John's College, Dematagoda and finally at Zahira College, Maradana. As a schoolboy, he excelled in sports - cricket, soccer, hockey and athletics. His beloved parents - Agnus Catherine Dias and William Henry Dias. He is the 7th in a family of 12 children.

Sylvester Dias is married to Puspha Ranjani Obeysekera. They have four sons. He is presently a match referee serving Sri Lanka Cricket.