Sanath Jayasuriya:

Man who enthralled millions

Premasara EPASINGHE

“From the age of 09 years, he used to play Tennis-ball cricket, in our back garden with the children of the neighbourhood. This became a real, nuisance, and a problem for me, as this child used to hoist balls to the adjoining temple. The kind-hearted Buddhist monks and the chief priest tolerated these “Sixes” smiling.

“Let the little fellow enjoy playing cricket” the Nayaka Thera remarked. I thought it was not nice and proper to disturb the Buddhist monks. So, I sent him to Under 11 Cricket practices at St. Servatius’ College” stated Mrs. Breeda Jayasuriya, the beloved “Amma” or Mother of Sanath Jayasuriya.

This tiny tot, who deposited Sixes, at the Temple, Premises at Matara, created cricket history by depositing 270 sixes in One Day Internationals at World Famous International stadiums round the globe.

His name is Sanath Teran Jayasuriya, the present Parliamentarian, who represents the Government party of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Sanath Jayasuriya was elected with a record number of votes as the first Member of the Government party, polling nearly 80,000 votes from Matara District. Breaking records is his style I, like in Cricket, in his first Parliamentary Elections too he created a brilliant record.

This great cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya, is probably the only sitting Member of a Country’s legislature in the world, who plays for his country in the ongoing one day and T 20 series against England. This, will be his Swan Song. With this series, Sanath Jayasuriya will retire from cricket gracefully in 2011, after a highly distinguished career. He is a complete cricketer and a gentleman of the highest order. He is also a Good Semaritan and possess a golden heart.

Jayasuriya played in 444 ODI’s, and in 432 innings, he collected 13,328 runs, and remained unbeaten 18 times. He scored 189 as his highest score. His average was 32.43. Strike rate 91.22, with 22 centuries and 68 fifties. He had 1,500 boundaries. In fielding he held 12 catches.

He played in 110 Tests, he collected 6,973 runs. His highest score was 340 at R. Premadasa Stadium. He made 14 centuries and 31 half, centuries on Test cricket. In the bowling department, in 14,828 balls, he gave away 11,825 runs and captured 322 wickets.

In ODI’s he bowled 14,838 balls, gave away 11,825, runs, captured 322 wickets. Undoubtedly, he was the Best-All rounder produced by Sri Lanka.

Possess sterling qualities of fighting spirit

I highly appreciate his sterling qualities, and his Fighting Spirit. I have been following his “Epic Career” throughout on and off the field, and I presume cricket is a Sansaragatha Puruddak, in his sojourn of Samsara. He was undoubtedly, a Born Cricketer.

He was the most feared batsman in the world. I wish to draw your kind attention to England-Sri Lanka ODI played – a quarter final played at Faisalabad on 10th March 1996. S. T. Jayasuriya scored 82 runs, in 44 balls with 14 x 4 and 3 x 6’s. In bowling he captured 2 for 46 in 9 overs.

On 11th March 1996 Pakistanis Daily Dawn, carried a Box Story – Has Sanath fixed a spring in his bat. The “Matara Mauler”, the “Master-Blaster’ whipped the Englishmen. “They would have thought, “Why the hell did we introduce cricket to Ceylon or Sri Lanka”.

Another ODI innings, I commented was the encounter between India-Sri Lanka played at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi on 2 March 1996. Sri Lanka won this by 6 wickets thanks to Sanath Jayasuriya’s swashbuckling innings of 79 in 76 balls, with 9 x4’s. He hammered Prabhakar (4-0-47-0) Srinath (9.4-0-51-0) Prasad (10-1-53-0).

Most valuable player World Cup 1996

At the conclusion of the World Cup 1996, Sanath Jayasuriya was selected as the “Most Valuable Player.” In the 2010 Sri Lanka’s Parliamentary Battle” - Sanath Jayasuriya was the “Man of the Match in the Matara District, Collecting nearly 80,000 votes to strengthen the hands of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

I still remember, Sanath’s 111 against New Zealand in Napier, Maclean Park. He had a partnership of more than 200 with Upul Tharanga, another Southerner. Sanath’s 111, comprised 5 x6’s and 14 hits to the ropes.

Incidentally, he made his Test debut against New Zealand in Hamilton on February 22 in 1991.

Last hurrah

Up coming T 20 and the first match of five game limited overs series in England in June 2011, would be Sanath Jayasuriya’s last Hurrah in International cricket. He retired from Test Arena in 2007. His was a glittering and eventful career.

If Sanath and Vaas played

Jayasuriya’s one ambition was to play in the recently concluded 2011 ICC World Cup, held in the sub-continent. Unfortunately, for Sri Lanka and as well as personally for Sanath Jayasuriya, the Selection Committee did not include the dynamic “War Horses”, the experienced Sanath and Chaminda Vaas who had 400 ODI wickets. With a capital If, I state here as a commentator, who commentated 1996 World Cup, that Sri Lanka would have won the ICC World Cup 2011, IF Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas played in the finals.

Born on June 30, 1969, at Kotuwegoda, Matara, his beloved parents are Breeda Jayasuriya and Dunstan Jayasuriya. His elder brother is Chandana Srinath Jayasuriya. His cricket coaches at Matara were Lionel Wagasinghe and Gratien Liyanage. The Principal Galappatti, staff members, old-boys, well-wishers were a tower of inspiration to Sanath Jayasuriya.

“You are from Jayasuriya’s country”

Sri Lanka’s name and Sanath Jayasuriya’s name are coined together. When I gave my passport to a Mumbai Airport Immigration officer to stamp it, when I was returning to Sri Lanka after commentating on the ICC World Cup 2011, on 4th April, the officer smilingly said “Oh! You are from Jayasuriya Country. We were very lucky that he was not included in your team.” We would have got the “works” if he played. India is lucky.

The major teams Sanath Jayasuriya represented were – Sri Lanka, Asia XI, Bloomfield C& AC, Colombo Sri Lanka, Dolphins, MCC, Mumbai Indians, Ruhuna and Somerset.

Sanath Jayasuriya had a humble beginning, which he is proud to reveal. “When I came to Colombo first as a young man I did not have money. I was determined. Many helped me. I thank all of them. It was a big challenge. I took it up” stated unassuming charming Sanath Jayasuriya. He never forgot his roots. He respected his teachers, coaches, seniors and those who deserve respect (Pujaatha Pujaniyanam).

Gentle Sanath Jayasuriya, harmed many bowlers of International repute all over the cricketing world. He trained hard and fit as a fiddle. His hands were so strong. Once Shane Warne said “Once I congratulated him. “This Blokes handshake would have crushed a walnut. Like his lightening batting, it was so powerful.”

Captaincy in 1999 ushered in a new era

In 1999, after the World Cup debacle in England, Arjuna Ranatunga was removed from the captaincy and Sanath Jayasuriya was appointed. He performed well and led from the front and he always “Put country before self”. He had the proud distinction of producing the fastest century and fastest fifty. Even today he holds the record for the fastest fifty.

What next?

After retirement, Sanath Jayasuriya will devote more time to serve the people of Matara District and the country. Among his many “Firsts”, he is the first elected Member of Parliament, in any part of the world to be actively involved in International Cricket after being elected to Parliament. This devastating left hand batsman, turned the one-day cricket upside down, when he and his partner Romesh Kaluvitharana introduced the “Pinch Hitting” in the first ten overs and revolutionised cricket.

What Kumar said in TV interview

In an interview with Kumar Sangakkara on TV, I asked him about the experience of any Sri Lankan batsmen having a partnership with Sanath Jayasuriya.

”I do not think it is an alliance or partnership. His partner has only to watch Sanath in full cry from the Bowler’s end. Sanath will play his natural powerful stroker round the park. It is a treat to watch him from the bowler’s end” quipped Sangakkara.

Sanath - you enthralled millions

”Sanath, you entertained us for little more than two decades and, put Sri Lanka cricket on top. Those memorable innings will never fade away from us.

We wish you good luck in your Swan Song in 2011, Sanath, your Epic, glorious innings enthralled millions all over the world.

‘May the Triple Gem Bless you’

Sanath Teran Jayasuriya

* Born: June 30, 1969, Matara
* Current age: 41 years 353 days
* Major teams: Sri Lanka, Asia XI, Asia XI, Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club, Colombo Cricket Club, Dolphins, Marylebone Cricket Club, Mumbai Indians, Ruhuna, Somerset
* Playing role: Allrounder
* Batting style: Left-hand bat
* Bowling style: Slow left-arm orthodox
* Test debut: New Zealand v Sri Lanka at Hamilton, Feb 22-26, 1991
* Last Test: Sri Lanka v England at Kandy, Dec 1-5, 2007
* ODI debut: Australia v Sri Lanka at Melbourne, Dec 26, 1989
* ODI debut: Australia v Sri Lanka at Melbourne, Dec 26, 1989
* First-class debut: 1988/89