Life & Times in Sports

Dennis Ebert - a policeman of many parts

BY PREMASARA Epasinghe

FREDERIC Dennis Austin Ebert, popularly known as Dennis Ebert, is an amazing, versatile, sportsman, produced by one of the leading seats of learning in Sri Lanka - Wesley College, Colombo.

Domiciled in Australia, I met him while he was holidaying in Sri Lanka on balmy evening a few day ago.

He represented Wesley College - in five sport disciplines - Cricket, Athletics, Hockey, Tennis and Table Tennis. Later, he joined the Police and excelled as an outstanding sportsman.

Master-Blaster of Wesley - 1949-1951

Ebert was a "Master-Blaster". As a schoolboy, he represented Wesley First XI from 1949 to 1951. The year 1950 can be considered as a "Golden Year" for Dennis Ebert, and Wesley. He became a "Batting Machine" and won the Batting Prize.

The Team included Classen Brothers - Brian & Radley and Ansar Fuard - elder brother of Sri Lanka cricketer Abu Fuard.

Score board tick like - a Taxi-meter

When, Dennis occupies the crease, the score-board ticks like a Taxi-meter. Against Kingswood College, he scored a power-packed 107 runs, which included 07 massive towering sixes and 14 fours (98 runs in boundaries) made in 65 minutes.

In 1950, he was the only Wesleyite to represent the continued school team, against the mighty Colts CC led by that great cricketer and fine sporstman Tita Nathanielez. This Combined College XI, included former St. Peter's College and Lecestershire cricketer - Clive Inman.

Inman scored only 12 runs in this match. Ebert top scored with swashbucking quick-fire 69 runs. He deposited a ball over the ropes to Park Road, off Nathenielez, a catapulet fast bowler of Ceylon at that era.

Late Lakshman Kadirgamar

"I was deeply shocked, when I heard the news, that Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was assassinated. He was a gentleman and a fine human being. I still remember Kadir, as the opening bowler and opening bat, when he played for Trinity and led the team admirably.

In this encounter against his team, I scored 65 runs. Kadir who opened batting and bowling scored 22 and took 2 for 24", stated Ebert.

Champion athlete

Apart from cricket Ebert, excelled as a champion Athlete in 1950. He won the Javeline Throw Event in the first ever Public School Athletic championship and won Public school athletic colours and Wesley College colours. In the year 1950, he won the prestigious Best-All round Sportsman Prize at Wesley.

Family background

Born on 10th June 1932, Ebert hails from a highly respectable family. His father was Alec Ebert, surveyor, and mother Sheela Ebert. She was a "leading light in Education".

She served as the Head-Mistress of Zahira College, Maradana under the renowned, reputed Educationists T. B. Jayah and Amuan Aziz. Further, she served at Gampola Zahira, under Bad-ud-din Mahamud, the former Minister of Education. She retired from St. John's College, Nugegoda.

Ebert married Marlene in 1955. They are blessed with a daughter. Her name is Cara. The two sons are Ross and Randell.

Today, this happy "Grandpa" have five grandchildren ranging from four years to twenty five years.

Aubrey Ebert

Dennis has four brothers. the eldest Rayan. His other brothers are Aubrey was a cricketer and more a boxer at S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia.

Later, he became a reputed internationally recognised cricket commentator and broadcaster, from 1960-1970. I had the honour of commentating with him for many years. Presently, he is in Australia.

Batting Star - Lorensz

Then, the fourth one Lorensz was a fine product of Wesley. He was a "Batting Star" in 1957/1958.

Like Dennis, he too, played in the combined school XI, under Michael Tissera against Holkar's Cricket Team from India. Lorensz scored a polished 89 runs. He too migrated to Australia, and played club cricket in Victoria along with Bill Lawry. Youngest in the family is Jeromy.

Coached by "Satha" at Junior level

As a Junior Cricketer, Dennis was coached by no lesser person than late M. Sathasivam distinguished Weslite and the best batsman produced in Ceylon before Sri Lanka gained test status.

Senior coach Alban Fernando

Later, Alban - A.V. Fernando, the reputed sports journalist coached him in the First XI.

An incident that's etchers in his mind was the Richmond-Wesley Match played at Galle in 1950.

"I was determined to score in this match as my cousin brother Donald Joseph was captaining Richmond. Before, I reached double figures, I was given out - caught behind by the famous umpire Dodwell de Zoysa, who was considered as number one at that time.

I was trying to glance a ball going away from my leg-stump. The ball brushed the strap of my pad protruding out. De Soysa, thought, it was off-my bat, he gave marching orders to me.

I immediately, walked away for Galle pavilion. During the tea break, this great highly respected umpire walked into our dressing room and told me "Son, I am sorry".

During our era, we played the game hard. We always respected the umpires "the custodians of the game." This is something the present day cricketers should learn and follow. Cricket is a philosophy and a way of life.

You must be disciplined, and you must always respect you parents, teachers and seniors. We still respect our teachers and superiors", stated Ebert.

Some of his contemporaries who played with him, were Classen Brothers - Brian and Radley, Mack Brothers - Derik and Spencer, Herbie Felisinger, S. Mustafer (wicket-keeper) Ansar Fuard, Luckey Abeywardane to name a few.

Joins Police

Ebert, joined the police as a sub-inspector in 1952. He served the police for 17 years. He is one of the finest police officers who served in outstations as well as in Colombo. He was an honest officer and a man of highest integrity.

He was an ornament to police. He was an outstanding sportsman. He is pleasant, charming and a fine human being.

"While I was playing in a club match, as a schoolboy, the Director Police Training School, that fine sportsman Sydney De Soysa was a keen spectator. I scored a quick-fine 50. He came and congratulated me and asked me whether, I like to join police as a sub-inspector. This was a god send for me. I joined the police in 1952" stated Ebert.

Outstanding sportsman in police

"I excelled as an Athlete and as a cricketer in police. I held the Javeline Title at the police on three occasions. Further, I clinched the government service title too" quipped Dennis Ebert.

He represented the Police Cricket Team for number of years with distinction. In the Army-Police cricket encounter, Dennis Ebert and Thiru Kadirgamar established a new-record for the last-wicket with an alliance of 122 runs. I scored 69 not out. Army Cricket Team was led by maestro Col. F.C. De Seram. We scored 207 runs.

"The Army was sitting pretty at one stage score-board reading 130 for 02 wickets. Right arm paceman, Bianz De Vaz returned the figures of 05 for 46 and destroyed the Army. This match was the Big-clash played at the Police Park Grounds.

"I enjoyed every bit of cricket I played in Sri Lanka. I was so fortunate to play with great police players such as Solomon Gunatilake, L.M.P. De Silva, T.B. Werapitiya, Vernon Prins, Niel Weerasinghe, Malcolm Spitel, Hubert Bagot, H.C. Perera, stated Ebert.

T.B. Werapitiya - at brilliant best

Ebert's "finest hour", "the hour of glory" in cricket, dawned when the Police Team toured India in 1958. The Police Cricket Team was led by that great cricketer cum cricket administrator (President BCCSL) par excellence, Trinity Lion and University of Ceylon Cricketer former Deputy Minister & late T.B. Werapitiya. He collected a fine, chanceless, polished 120 runs. It was a gem of an innings.

"I supported him, concentrated a lot and remained unbeaten with 36 not out.

Highlights of his police career

For him the police life was fantastic and a challenging one. When, Dennis Ebert was attached to Criminal Investigation Department (C.I.D.), he served as the Bodyguard to Governor General Sir Oliver Gunatileke, another distinguished old boy from Wesley. He served in the capacity for nearly six months, in 1959, after the assassination of S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike - Prime Minister.

During the non-aligned conference, Dennis Ebert, served as the Body-guard to Marshall Tito of Yugoslavia. Then, he was a member of the team of investigation into the attempted "Coup d'etat" in 1962.

Further, he served with distinction as the OIC of police stations at Ahangama, Bandaragama, Wadduwa, OIC Crimes at Wellampitiya, Welikada and Vice Squad, Mirihana.

After serving for 17 years in the police, he retired and migrated to Australia.

"After settling down in Australia, firstly I served in the Australian Police Department for a couple of years. Then, I joined the British Petroleum Company and later joined the world renowned General Motor Company as a controller in the Finance Division and retired.