Cricketers did not lack for want of support

The Sri Lankan cricketers were not lacking for want of support from the Lankan residents in New Zealand.

At every venue that the cricketers were in action, Lankan residents would flock in their numbers, carrying their papara papara bands, waving the lion flag proudly, so much so that it was the consensus among the Kiwis that it looked like the cricketers were performing in front of their home crowds.

Outstanding among the Lankans in Wellington is Asoka Atapattu and his wife Padmini. They were always interested in the well being of the cricketers and would go out of their way to help them. Over the years they have been with the cricketers during each visit and it was no different this time too.

Believe it or not Asoka has a collection of cricket books numbering well over 600. In addition he has a fantastic collection of cricketing memorabilia.

Asoka's home is open to cricketers from which ever country they come, and they always make it a point to enjoy a meal at his home, deliciously prepared by his wife Padmini. Asoka is a man we all ought to know.

Then there was Luvindu and Naren Pieris and Pradeep Atapattu. Former Radio cricket commentator Asoka Wijesundara is with Cricket Wellington holding a responsible position which has to do with promoting their under-17 and under-19 cricketers. Serving as a cricket coach in the Academy is another Sri Lanka and old Anandian cricketer Ivan Tissera. He is performing superbly and is in great demand.

John Wright the former Kiwi cricketer and former Indian coach is very impressed with his coaching that he has entrusted the future of his son, Harry who is likely to follow in the footsteps of his father and play for New Zealand to Tissera.

Tissera is also coaching Niranjan Naguleswaran, son of former Jaffna Central, Maharaja Organisation and CCC cricketer Rajaratnam Naguleswaran. Niranjan is one of the promising cricketers in Wellington and if he continues and concentrates on the game, should stake a claim to represent New Zealand before long. At Wellington CC is one of the best indoor cricket nets.

When in Wellington the Sri Lankan and Kiwi squads practised there when the weather was bad. One thing that caught my eye was the 'Crazy catch' fielding machine, similar to the one that former chairman of Mercantile Shipping, Bertram Jayasuriya made famous calling it the 'Catch It' fielding machine.

Then in Auckland is Amitha Weerakoon the former Thurstan, Nomads and CCC cricketer who played under Michael Tissera for the CCC. Amitha's wife Jody who is a Kiwi and his mother Gerty are also very keen cricket fans.

Amitha still continues to wield the willow and at one time opened bowling with former Kiwi paceman Watson for Grafton CC. in Auckland you meet the man for all seasons Mohammed Iqbal. Iqbal has an excellent rapport with everybody who is somebody in Kiwiland. Iqbal has been Tea Commissioner to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji for 20 years. He was Sri Lanka's first honorary consul to New Zealand and served in that post for seven years.

He has been Sri Lanka's Tea Commissioner in New Zealand for 16 years. Iqbal has well established and sound contacts in New Zealand and with his easy going approach has been of assistance and continues to do so from the first official visit of the Sri Lanka cricket team to NZ in 1982, and is also very helpful to all visitors from Sri Lanka. Iqbal has aggressively promoted Sri Lanka and waved the 'Ceylon Tea' flag as high as possible for the past 38 years which is a proud achievement.

He has many testimonials confirming and appreciating that he has been a tremendous asset to Sri Lanka.

At the age of 71 he, is actively continuing to promote Sri Lanka and its world famous tea in New Zealand.

In conclusion Rex Clementine, Sports Editor of the 'Island' and 'Sunday Island' and I enjoyed a very interesting tour of New Zealand although the conditions were icy cold, watched some exciting and never to be forgotten batsmanship from Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara, top class spin bowling from Muttiah Muralitharan, life threating pace bowling from Lasith Malinga and competitive cricket from our men.