'Kohinoor' - the most valuable precious diamond of Sri Lanka Cricket:

Marvellos Mahela

Premasara EPASINGHE

Way back in the year 1994-1995, school cricket season, I was witnessing a cricket match at the Nalanda Vidyalaya grounds, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Many fond memories crossed my mind, as I too played in the same venue, in 1956/57 school cricket season. I opened batting with that dashing left-hander Sarath Silva and kept wickets for Nalanda. Chandrasiri Weerasinghe captained our side. I consider Chandrasiri, the stylist right hand batsman, the best batsman produced by

Nalanda. He was a batting artist and an absolute genius with the bat. In 1957, he scored four centuries, against St Anthony's College, Katugastota (first match Nalanda played with this school), Royal College, Colombo, St Benedict's College, Kotahena and Zahira College, Maradana and missed his second consecutive century by six runs in the second innings of the Battle of Maroons - 1957. In the first essay he scored 60 runs.

Sometime, in 1957 cricket season, I had the fortune of witnessing Chandrasiri's batting heroics, in close-circuit, at the non-strikers end. It was a treat to watch Chandrasiri in full flow and in full cry.

In 1995, when I saw a stylish, elegant Nalanda right hand batsman, batting at Nalanda grounds, for a moment I thought that Chandrasiri Weerasinghe was in action again.

I inquired from a boy - "Son, who is this right hand batsman?"

"Sir, he is our captain Mahela Jayawardene," the boy replied. I was really impressed with the boy.

Following day, when I met some of my team mates, Daya Illukkumbura, Jayawickrema Perera, (MP, NWP) and Mahinda Athulathmudali at a function, I told them, about that batting prodigy Mahela Jayawardene and how much he resembled of Chandrasiri. I told them that Mahela is Sri Lanka material. My prediction came true. In two and half years, when Mahela won his Sri Lanka Test cap in 1997.

After leaving the cricket Taxila - Nalanda Vidyalaya, he joined the prestigious club Sinhalese Sports Club - SSC, home for many distinguished Sri Lankan cricketers. From day one he performed well in the club circuit.

Mahela is a born cricketer. He is disciplined, committed. He enjoyed playing this noble game. He was a stylish 'straight bat' unassuming, humble boy, he always respected his Principal D G Sumanasekera (present Principal Vidura College), teachers, coaches, elders. One day, when I met him I noticed the leadership qualities were written all over this boy.

Incidentally, when he was leading the Sri Lanka side, when I was serving as a cricket administrator as a member of the Interim Committee, SLC, I accompanied the Sri Lanka national team to Zimbabwe and Australia. I am proud to state that under his astute leadership, the entire team were superb sporting ambassadors. Their behaviour on and off the field was exemplary. In fact at a tea party accorded to Sri Lanka cricketers on their arrival by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, I told the President that these cricketers are his best ambassadors. Sporting President was delighted to hear about the performance of Sri Lanka cricketers and the exemplary behavior on and off the field.

2011 ICC World Cup - finals

It is true that Sri Lanka lost the finals and India emerged ICC 2011 World Cup winners at Wankede stadium, Mumbai. Sri Lanka did their best. Unfortunately, it was not our day. Better side on this particular day - April 2, 2011 won. Out of 14 teams, Sri Lanka were second. They were runners-up. Cricket is a game. One side wins, one side loses. We must remember the famous words - epigraph of great Sir Winston Churchill - In war: Resolution. In defeat: Defiance. In victory: Magnanimity. In peace: Goodwill.

I had the distinction of commentating on radio under 'Derana frequency' on three matches from India - quarter final: Australia-India, semi-final: high voltage encounter - India versus Pakistan and the final. India-Sri Lanka at Mumbai.

In the finals, I saw some brilliant fielding by Indians - Raina, Yuvaraj Singh, Vinoth Kohli. They blocked the point, covers, mid off position and it was like the Great Wall of China. Sri Lankan openers were frustrated. When hard hitting Upul Tharanga's square cut was blocked in such a way in 20 deliveries, he scored 2 runs. Sri Lanka lost their second wicket at 38, when Shewag snapped a brilliant catch at slips.

Then, Sri Lankans number one batsman vice captain Mahela Jayawardene joined skipper Kumar Sangakkara. To a certain extent the pair repaired the innings.

I consider Mahela Jayawardene's innings as one of the best that I witnessed in my 41 year radio commentary career. It was an innings of character. Mahela Jayawardene is number one batsman who rose to the occasion. It was not an innings for the sake of a 'ribboned coat' or 'season's fame'. He put 'country before self'.

His quick feet, cricketing intelligence made him a modern great, statistically as well as in terms of impact. Mahela Jayawardene possesses more than 9,000 'golden runs' in both forms of the game. Very soon he will join the 10,000 runs 'Exclusive Club'.

Mahela at his best

At Wankede stadium, Mahela Jayawardene was at his brilliant best. His 88 balls, unbeaten 103 reminds me so much of the Aravinda de Silva's 124-ball, 107 not out at Gaddaffi, Lahore, Pakistan on March 17, 1996. Both were epic innings," I commentated from Mumbai (2.4.2011) and Lahore (17.3.1966). They are both, 'big event performers'. Delicate cuts, cover drives, pulls were all there. They reserved their best for the country, when their teams were in trouble. Aravinda de Silva was brutal at times. Mahela Jayawardene destroyed his opponents with a smile. These two batting legends reminded me so much of maestro M Sathasivam in late forties and fifties.

Mahela Jayawardene's delicacy of touch, exquisite timing, his ability to preserve the field placings, gaps, he picks up are out of the ordinary. His 103 not out, with 13 boundaries in 88 balls with a strike rate of 117.04 was the highest score in the 2011 World Cup finals. Unfortunately, Mahela Jayawardene was the only centurion in a World Cup final in the losing side. Clive Lloyd, Vivian Richards, Aravinda de Silva, Ricky Ponting, they were all in the winning teams of the finals.

For India, Gautam Gambhir and skiper M S Dhoni scored brilliant half centuries. Dhoni led the run chase from the front. He was the true architect of Indian victory. What a great innings that Dhoni played.

In front of more than 40,000 spectators, Mahela Jayawardene walked in to bat, when Sri Lanka were 60 for 2, in the 17th over, when Upul Tharanga and Tillekeratne Dilshan were dismissed for 2 in 20 balls and 33 in 49 balls respectively.

Mahela joined his skipper Sangakkara. When Mahela faced the first ball from Harbajan Singh with so much confidence, with sweet timing, I mentioned in the commentary that a century for Mahela, is in his kitty if he concentrate and bat. It was a silent march, the ball hitting the middle of the bat.

Innings of a life time

Determined Mahela Jayawardene played an innings of his life time, in this all important final. He was unruffled, calm and cool and showed the world that art of batting was so easy. He put his country before self.

It was one of the great innings of character I had seen in my commentary career.

Baptism in South Africa - Mahela and Thilan

When Mahela Jayawardene was building his brilliant, majestic innings, I was in cloud nine. My mind went back to 1995. At that time, I was attached to the Ceylinco Group as Public Relations and Marketing Manager. My Deputy Chairman, Daya Senanayake called me.

"Epasinghe, Bombay (Mumbai) Gymkhana Club is sending a team to South Africa for a month's tour. They want us to send two schoolboys who will be future Test and ODI players of Sri Lanka. I want you to pick two schoolboys for this tour."

Following day, I spoke to the two principals of Ananda and Nalanda, and after obtaining the green light from them, informed Secretary, BCCSL Anura Tennekoon. I selected Thilan Samaraweera and Mahela Jayawardene. Rest is history today!

Mahela Jayawardene made his Test debut, in 1997 August 2-6. He joined the fund, against India in a high scoring match - Sri Lanka 952 for 6 (Jayasuriya 340 and Mahanama 225) at R Premadasa stadium, with Mahela scoring a debut half century (66 not out) at No. 6. He took 2 catches. I commentated in this historic match and from then onwards, I have followed this boy - Mahela upto ICC World Cup 2011.

What a record!

He played in 116 Tests, in 190 innings, scored 9,527 runs. Highest score 374, at an average of 53.82, unbeaten on 13 times. In his distinguished Test career, he notched 28 centuries, 38 fifties, 1,129 boundaries, 43 sixes and held 165 catches.

In 341 ODIs, in 319 innings, scored 9,423 runs, unbeaten on 34 occasions. Highest score 128. Average 33.06, with 14 centuries, 56 fifties, 808 boundaries and 55 sixes. He held 165 catches.

In the IPL auction 2011, he was number one. Presently, he is captaining Kochi. Earlier, he played 32 matches remained unbeaten on 4 times, scored 784, with 4 fifties. He hit 83 boundaries and 21 sixes, held 9 catches.

In 198 first class matches, in 313 innings, with 22 not outs, he scored 15,291 runs. Highest score 374. Average 52.54. With 45 centuries and 66 half centuries. He held 257 catches.

In twenty20's Mahela Jayawardene played in 92 matches, unbeaten 16 times, scored 2,284 runs, highest 110 not out. He had 254 hits to the ropes, and 63 sixes. He held 39 catches.

In 116 Tests, in 20 innings, he bowled 547 balls, gave away 292 runs, captured 6 wickets.

He played in 341 ODIs, in 27 innings, delivered 581 deliveries, gave away 558 runs and captured 7 wickets.

In 32 Twenty20's in one innings, he bowled an over (6 balls), gave away 8 runs.

Mahela Jayawardene in 198 matches, bowled 2,959 deliveries, gave away 1,611 runs, captured 52 wickets.

All these figures, I calculated before ICC World Cup 2011 commenced - Saturday, February 19, 2011).

His hunger for big scores is amazing and unique. Mahela's record partnership 624 runs with his close buddy, golf partner, that gentlemanly cricketer Kumar Sangakkara was the highest alliance.

As a captain, he won Tests in England and New Zealand. One of his greatest achievements was as a captain he reached the finals of World Cup 2007. He timed his exit and gave enough time for his worthy successor Kumar Sangakkara to prepare for 2011 World Cup. In two successive years, Mahela's team was as the team best exemplifying the sport of cricket by ICC.

Incredible achievements

The most runs scored by an individual in a single ground belongs to Mahela Jayawardene. He created this unique record in his pet hunting ground - SSC. Between 1997-2010, he scored 2,646 runs in 23 matches, in 35 innings.

On July 29, 2006, at No 4, he scored 374 against South Africa, from a total of 756 for 5 wickets. As a radio commentator, I described this marvellous, brilliant innings. It is still etched in my mind. And ODI record was established by Mahela, at the Rangiri Dambulla stadium. In 33 matches, in 32 innings, he collected 1,076 runs, highest - 123.

In a World Cup match 2007, at West Indies, St Georges grounds, Mahela Jayawardene (72), and Chamara Silva (64), established a record partnership for the 4th wicket scoring 140 runs.

Not only in Sri Lanka, but also in India, Mahela Jayawardene, recorded highest by a visiting player at Ahmedabad in November 2009, scoring 276.

The youngest Sri Lankan to score a double hundred was Mahela Jayawardene. At the age of 21 years, 273 days, he scored 242 against India at his favourite home ground SSC.

At the age of 29 years, 65 days, he was the youngest Sri Lankan to score 15 centuries.

He achieved this landmark on July 31, 2006. Further, on June 24, 2004, he became the youngest to play 50 Test matches. His age was 26 years and 28 days.

There are two players in Sri Lanka, who were in the winning sides mostly - Muralidaran 54 times and Mahela Jayawardene - 49 occasions.

As I mentioned earlier 'Mahela's paradise' is SSC grounds. During the period, 2006-2009, Mahela Jayawardene scored 82, 374, 127, 195, 136 and 79 in consecutive innings. Dinesh Kaneria spoiled the party, when he dismissed Mahela J for 2 runs. After this episode, Mahela Jayawardene continued his good work scoring 92, 96, 174 in consecutive innings.

Sri Lanka's most consistent champion batsmen, Jayawardene (374), Sangakkara (287) created history by amassing 624 - the highest Test partnership.

The same combination, in May 2010, made 160 run partnership in World Twenty20 encounter. They fell four runs short of the record, which is held by South African pair, G L Smith and L Bosman, against England at picturesque Centurian grounds in South Africa, in November 2009.

I presume, Mahela Jayawardene has possessed this unique cricketing skill through a Sansaric inheritence.

Like great Imran Khan and Sachin Tendulkar, Mahela Jayawardene is also a Good Samaritan.

He also won lot of admiration for his contribution to Hope Cancer project.

Denegamage Probath Mahela de Silva Jayawardene, was born on May 27, 1977 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. His parents are Mr and Mrs Senerath Jayawardene.

Kohinoor is supposed to be the most valuable precious diamond in the world. Unassuming Mahela Jayawardene is the kohinoor of cricket in Sri Lanka.

Premasara Epasinghe - BA (Cey), Dip in Ed, Dip in Mktg, Lecturer and Public Relations Marketing Consultant, Print and Electronic Media Personality, internationally reputed cricket commentator.