Ronnie's anecdote on Worrell

Elmo Rodrigopulle

Anecdote: Apropos the article 'The great, Clyde Walcott' appearing in my "COMMENT" column yesterday, I had a pleasant surprise of a phone call from Ronnie Weerakoon, a former Thomian cricketer who played for Sri Lanka (then All Ceylon) against the West Indies in the 1950s and brother of Bradman Weerakoon.

Ronnie while saying that the few lines by me on Walcott was interesting recalled an anecdote when the West Indies played here in 1950 and which side was led by that stylish opening batsman Jeff Stolmeyer.

According to Ronnie, he was given a ticket to the match which was played at the Colombo Oval by Sri Lanka's own great batsman Mahadevan Sathasivam and it was to the VIP block.

Also in that block was the grand old man of Galle cricket the late E.M. Karunaratne.

Let's read what Ronnie says: Karunaratne to show that he knew the Windies three greats by their first names and to impress those around him and in a loud voice asked Sir Frank Worrell - "Frankie who is the greatest batsman in the world".

Sir Frank looked at Weekes and then at Walcott and said: It is not Walcott, it is not Weekes. It is Frank Worrel in a loud voice and did not the spectators around break into loud laughter",said Ronnie.

Thank you Ronnie for sharing that anecdote with our readers.