Chief Guest Sidath was an elegant batsman

Leslie Fernando

The chief guest on 1st September, Sidath Wettimuny is no stranger to cricket. He batted with all the champion qualities at Ananda College where his elder brothers Sunil and Mithra too played with distinction.

After leaving school anyone will long to play for the country and Sidath made his mark in the Sri Lanka team when he became the first Sri Lankan to score a century in Test cricket.

Sidath was a regular in the Sri Lanka Cricket team since Test status was granted to Sri Lanka in 1981 and has many firsts to his credit. He was the first centurion for Sri Lanka scoring 157 against Pakistan in 1982.

Opening the batting with elder brother Mithra Wettimuny against New Zealand in 1983 at Christ Church, he equalled a 103 year old record achieved by Dr. W.G. Grace and his brother E.M. Grace who opened batting for England against Australia in 1880 at the Oval.

His 63 not out vs New Zealand at Wellington in 1983, the first instances of a Sri Lankan opener carrying his bat through. He was the first Sri Lanka to score a Test century at Lord's. Duleep Mendis and Amal Silva followed soon after. His was also the highest Test score by a Sri Lankan at Lord's. He was featured in 1985 as one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year. The first Sri Lankan to be so honoured. His 227 not out against Indian Board President XI at Gwalior, India in 1986 made him the first Sri Lankan to score a double century against a foreign team after Sri Lanka achieved Test status.

Sidath Wettimuny at his best was an attractive and talented batsman. Sure in defence equipped with several classic strokes particularly on the off. He has monumental patience and an unperturbed temperament. Few will forget his masterly 89 not out against England in 1982 in Colombo which set up Sri Lanka's frenzied win by three runs in the second one-day international.