Yardley's love that will not let him go

Richard DWIGHT

TSUNAMI RELIEF: The former Aussie Test cricketer, Bruce Yardley and one time Sri Lankan cricket coach, even though living in Australia, finds that his heart and mind lies here in sunny Sri Lanka.

Especially with the unspoilt, hospitable people from the villages and rural areas, who have endeared themselves to him in such a manner, that there is within him a yearning to be here. This was made known to me by him the other day, as we kept chatting along at the Negombo 'Sea Garden' Hotel.

Bruce was apparently happy to be here again in the land of sun, sand and sea, amidst innocent looking, friendly humbler folk - whom he became acquainted with, whilst serving as national cricket coach in 1996. His fondness for this lower middle class people of this country, had grown through the years.

So much so, that no sooner he had heard and seen on TV of the loss of life and property and the abject pain and suffering wrought by the 'tsunami' - he lost little or no time in arriving in the island in January 2005, and became involved for a month or so with the relief operations as carried out to the many victims, in the premises of Galgoda temple in Panadura.

Bruce had a concern for the children in the temple refugee camp. They had lost their bearings, were distraught, at a loose end, with nothing to occupy themselves with.

So he did the next best thing by purchasing sports equipment, and the children delighted in playing the various games. This did go a long way to lift their spirits, which did as well spread over to the mothers, who seemed happier too.

It was at this camp that Bruce met the young Chatharika, who was blind from birth in one eye. He was moved with compassion, that he took the girl to Perth, where an artificial (glass) eye was fitted on.

Necessitating a post operative period of recuperation in Australia, with Sri Lankan families within which time she was able with the assistance of Bruce, to raise funds for a home and land package, here in Sri Lanka for herself and her grandmother.

With a measure of satisfaction and pride he lets you know, that he is a Sri Lankan land owner, having purchased same in Mawala near Wadduwa. His intention is to live in the house on one part of the land and resettle a family in another part.

There is no doubt, that there is within Bruce a fondness that has developed into care and concern for the destitute and afflicted people of this country placed amidst the luring scenic splendour of it all.

A love that has made him keep coming, ever so frequently last year, when he was here in January, then in March, followed by a visit in August and now in February. Though the purpose be to oversee the good work he began, one cannot dismiss the fact that there is within him a yearning that will simply not let him go.

The game of cricket is not merely the scoring of runs and the taking of wickets. To the discerning cricketer it's much more than that, it's a way of life and, those cricketers who are prepared to learn and abide by the noble virtues the game strives to impart, will be the better for it.

There are those who are known to sympathise with others in their moments of grief and sorrow, but not many know to empathise. Bruce Yardley has been empathetic enough in a sense, to personally experience and enter into the feelings of anguish and misery of these hapless people rendered homeless by the 'tsunami.'

Commendable it is that Bruce has done his bit to alleviate the suffering of some, in an attitude of "Let not your left hand know, what your right hand doeth" and in the spirit of the Hands that help are holier than the lips that pray."

Taken by and large it's a well known fact that the current cricketers the world over, are a very privileged lot and must remember "to whom much is given much is required of."

Shocking remarks on the field

Clifford Landers from Australia

CRICKET: Cricket in the good old days earned its reputation as a 'gentelamen's game' but over few decades gone by sledging had contributed immensely to tarnish that impressive image.

Here are a few of the shocking remarks darted between Test players of repute.

1. Rod Marsh and Ian Botham: When Botham took guard in an Ashes match, Marsh welcomed him to the wicket with the immortal words: "So how's your wife and my kids?"

2. Daryll Cullinan and Shane Warne: As Cullinan was on his way to the wicket, Warne told him he had been waiting 2 years for another chance to humiliate him. "Looks like you spent it eating," Cullinan retorted.

3. Glenn McGrath (bowling to portly Zimbabwean chicken farmer Eddo Brandes): "Hey Eddo, why are you so f***ing fat?" Eddo Brandes: "Because everytime If*** your wife, she throws me a biscuit".

4. Robin Smith and Merv Hughes: During 1989 Lords Test Hughes said to Smith after he played and missed: "You can't f***ing bat". Smith to Hughes after he smacked him to the boundary: "Hey Merv, we make a fine pair. I can't f***ing bat and you can't f***ing bowl."

5. Merv Hughes and Javed Miandad: During 1991 Adelaide Test, Javed called Merv a fat bus conductor. A few balls later Merv dismissed Javed: "Tickets please", Merv called out as he ran past the departing batsman.

6. Merv Hughes and Viv Richards: During a Test match in the West Indies, Hughes didn't say a word to Viv, but continued to stare at him after deliveries.

"This is my island, my culture. Don't you be staring at me. In my culture we just bowl." Merv didn't reply, but after he dismissed him he announced to the batsman: "In my culture we just say f*** off."

7. And of course you can't forget Ian Healy's legendary comment which was picked up by the Channel 9 microphones when Arjuna Ranatunga called for a runner on a particularly hot night during a one dayer in Sydney... "You don't get a runner for being an overweight, unfit, fat c***!!!"

8. James Ormond had just come out to bat on an ashes tour and was greeted by Mark Waugh....... MW : "F*** me, look who it is. Mate, what are you doing out here, there's no way you're good enough to play for England". JO: "Maybe not, but at least I'm the best player in my family".

9. McGrath to Ramnaresh Sarwan: "So what does Brian Lara's d*** taste like?". Sarwan: "I don't know. Ask your wife." McGrath (losing it): "If you ever f***ing mention my wife again, I'll F***ing rip your F***ing throat out."

10. Mark Waugh standing at second slip, the new player (Adam Parore) comes to the crease playing & missing the first ball. Mark "Ohh, I remember you from a couple of years ago in Australia. You were s**t then, you're f***ing useless now". Parore - (Turning around) "Yeah, that's me & when I was there you were going out with that old, ugly sl**t and now I hear you've married her. You dumb c***".

11. Yet another Australian witticism with this time porky Sri Lankan batsman Arjuna Ranatunga the victim. Shane Warne, trying to tempt the batsman out of his crease mused what it took to get the plump character to get out of his crease and drive. Wicketkeeper Ian Healy piped up,"Put a Mars Bar on a good length. That should do it."

12. Malcolm Marshall was bowling to David Boon who had played and missed a couple of times. Marshall : "Now David, Are you going to get out now or am I going to have to bowl around the wicket and kill you?"