Why was Mahes Rodrigo left out

1. Richard D wight

There is no gainsaying, that the SLC’s gesture of recognising and honouring 17 past cricketers the other day at its headquarters, was truly a commendable one.

Though some did feel that the quantum of cash awarded could have been better-there were others of the view that it was not so much the ‘cash content’ that mattered and, that as cricketers, who have played the game as gentlemen should be prepared to accept it in the true spirit of cricket, to be exemplary.

The encouraging and good intentions of SLC were indeed laudable, where it went out to make a symbolic, tangible expression, to say that these cricketers were not forgotten but “only to be remembered by the things they’ve done”.

In an exercise such as this, however noble and well meaning the act be, there is always bound to be a lapse or two and an omission here or there. This is inevitable and has always been the experience of those in charge, whereas in this case, a past cricketer or two has been overlooked.

Much has been said about, Abu Fuard the fine all-rounder and Michael Tissera the extraordinary gifted captain, being completely ignored by the SLC for this aforesaid award. Equally puzzling and hard to reconcile with by some, is as to why, Mahes Rodrigo, was left out for this felicitous award.

They reason out that, Mahes was never a controversial figure nor involved in any altercation or came into conflict with those in charge of the game. He did maintain a low profile to bide his time to be in accord with all.

Mahes played cricket for Royal College for 3 years from 1944 to captain in 1946, where he led Royal to victory against its rivals S’Thomas’. In the mercantile sector he represented Walkers, while at the club level he did duty for SSC and, sported the All Ceylon Cap as well with distinction.

Spanning a period from the early forties, fifties and early sixties, Mahes made a wholesome contribution for the furtherance and promotion of cricket in the schools, mercantile, club and national levels.

That which stands vividly etched in the mind was, Mahes Rodiro’s courageous knock of 135 runs made against the formidable West Indian side led by John Goddard in the 3-day game played on the 19th, 20th and 21st of February 1947 at the Oval.

Mahes at the age of 20, sans any form of protective gear had to stand upto the awesome pace of John Trim and Prior Jones as Ceylon’s opener. It was regarded as a pathfinders innings in the cause of our country’s cricket, a brave and pioneering effort, showing others the way that the dreaded pace bowling even without protective gear could be overcome.

Come to think of it had Mahes and his contemporary access to protective gear batting would have been child’s play to them.

The answer to the questions raised by some as to why a few cricketers were overlooked was well explained by the SLC - CEO Duleep Mendis when he said that there would be other lots of presentations and that they were proposing to do something beneficial for these past cricketers in the future.