A dearth then, now a plethora of emerging cricketers

Richard Dwight

In those distant past years, crowds converged in large numbers on the different venues where school cricket matches were on.

They, whilst giving a measure of importance to these encounters between schools, did as well form a significant part of the yearly cricket scenario.

Their adulation in recognition and appreciation of worthwhile performances as the match progressed, did much to lift the spirits of the cricketers.

Needless to say, the cricketers for their part longed for and did revel on the much needed support of crowds, which served to encourage, inspire and motivate them to give of their best.

There were quite a few occasions in those days of yore, where jubilant cheer squads would rush onto the grounds to carry shoulder high a batsman scoring a century or a bowler taking six or more wickets.

Such was the enthusiasm that prevailed amongst the spectators in those earlier years to witness school matches.

Not forgetting to add that, there were colourful, flamboyant cricketers, who through their match winning heroic deeds, were able to determine the course of victory - to make school cricket ever so attractive. Some of these outstanding school cricketers, with their extraordinary ability, did well to find their way into the national side, while yet at school.

But alas, all this is history, for school cricket now has lost its glamour to be pedestrian-like - where the game sans the vociferous vibrant 'spectator following' is mainly confined to the two teams, the 2 umpires, the coaches and the respective ground boys.

You may if you are lucky, find a handful of mild mannered subdued few, watching the game beneath a shady tree, only to leave after a while in the silence that exists.

We aren't here referring to the 'Big Matches' notwithstanding this, school cricket is still the nurseries and, acts as the feeder to the main line cricket clubs in the island.

When you do with semblance of concern, recall to current day school cricketers, that they haven't had the thrilling experience of yelling supporters spurring and goading them on and, to later acknowledge and applaud the good achieved - their response was to stand aghast with sheer disbelief, quizzically doubting as to whether such cheering could have ever taken place - what a pity indeed.

The same could be said of our premier club cricket matches, where there is hardly any following to take in the action.

That which did seem redemptive in the cause of cricket, was the broadening out of the game by taking it into the rural areas and, not allowing it to be confined mainly to the metropolis.

Time has revealed, that this has had farseeing positive results.

And now that the civil conflict in our land is over, we would do well with a wider perspective in view, to actively give the much needed impetus and drive to cricket in the North and East.

Though school and club cricket has lost its glamour to be less attractive - there is yet another avenue spoken of as cricket academics, which have sprung up all over the island with the sole intent of promoting and fostering cricket amongst the juniors as well as the seniors.

The schools, clubs and the cricket academies have collectively done well in the very recent years to unearth talented cricketers, and we labour here to mention their names which are - T. Paranavitharana, A. Mathews, K. Silva, C. Welegedara, T. Mirando, R. Herath, C. Kapugedera, M. Warnapura, S. Randev, T. Kandamby, U. Tharanga, L. Thirimanne, C. Jayasinghe, K. Weeraratne, M. Pushpakumara, Thisara Perera, Chandimal Mendis, M. Udawatte, G. Rupesinghe and Isuru Udana (all these potential cricketers are waiting on the wings, to make their contributions towards cricket in Sri Lanka. It's a pity that promising young cricketers like Ajantha Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, K. Lokuarachchi, Lasith Malinga and Malinga Bandara do not seem to be performing upto expectations.

Never before has there been a wide array of promising young cricketers awaiting selection - which makes the selectors responsible to select the correct youngsters for the right slot.

Nor could the senior cricketers in the national side rest on their laurels and be assured of their places in the team - for if they keep failing they must be replaced by the emerging youngsters and, the seniors made to fight back to regain their places.

An environment such as this does augur well for Sri Lanka cricket.