SL Cabinet XI vs Parliamentarians XI

- My dream teams -:

Premasara Epasinghe

As the Sri Lanka Cricket commentator who commentated the first official Test of Sri Lanka, the 100th Test and 150th Test, 1996 and 2011 World Cup Finals and as a wicket keeper opening batsman - Nalanda in 1956-1957. University, Sara Cricket from 1958-1985, Medal recipient from the ICC for the services rendered to SL Cricket, I contributed my share to cricket.

I was really delighted, when the Director of Sports, Carlton Sports Network -CSN - Gehan Samaranayake, invited me, to be the commentator for the inaugural cricket encounter SL Cabinet XI versus SL Parliamentarians XI. This friendly match will be played on Sunday, 11, December 2011.

Hard at practice - Sports Minister Mahinanda Aluthgamage hitting to mid wicket

I pen these few lines in selecting My Dream Teams of the SL Cabinet XI and Parliamentarians XI, although, I am not a National Cricket Selector, appointed by the Sports Minister.

There is an old saying.
Old wood best to burn.
Old wine to drink.
Old friends to trust.
Old authors to read.

I understand, old senior cricketers turned Politicians and Parliamentarians and the “Junior Ones” pad up on this day.

It will be a day for all of us to remember for many years. ‘There will be serious cricket, fun and some unforgettable incidents you will cherish. It will be cricket and fun mixture. This friendly encounter between the two teams will be a big draw.

Harold Pinter, a writer of class, once wrote “Cricket is the greatest thing the god created on earth.”

Captaincy

There is a big responsibility for the two captains. The captain of a cricket team has more responsibilities than the captain of any other sport. In a sense, captain is a composer - first violinist - conductor of the orchestra, all rolled into one.

Further, he has to be a dozen of men. The captain should possess human understanding, of a psychologist, Nerve of a Gambler, Patience of a Saint. In short, he should a paragon of virtue.

The SL Cabinet XI, is supposed to be captained by the Best Captain of the World President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He learnt the basics of cricket at Nalanda as a junior cricketer and later blossomed at Thurstan College.

The wicket keeper is the king-pin or the nerve centre of any team. I prefer President Mahinda Rajapaksa to be the wicket keeper, as he is keeping wickets today to the Nation as an excellent stumper.

According to my selection, the openers of the SL Cabinet XI should be Prof Dr Tissa Vitarana, Trinity and Ananda opener in early 1950’s, who later had the proud distinction of captaining the University of Ceylon Sara Trophy side. His partner should be “Geoff Boycott style batting artist,” from Tissa MMV Kalutara Wimal Weerawansa. They are both Right Handers.

The Royal-STC Prep Colpetty - NCC Star batsmen epitomic of elegance Navin Dissanayake should be the one-drop batsman. Rajan champion batsman Janaka Bandara Tennekoon, Royalists Rauf Hakeem, Dilan Perera, Mahindananda Aluthgamage will strengthen SL Cabinet XI middle order. Dilan Perera is also a willy off-spinner.

The new ball should be handled by Anandian burly Basil Rajapaksa and Royalist Dinesh Gunawardane. A fine fieldsman and a fiery pace bowler S B Dissanayake, Rajitha Senaratne (Ananda-Nalanda), Douglas Devananda, Nalandians Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Lumbini MV - Bandula Gunawardane and Nimal Siripala De Silva, Annite Johnston Fernando, Johnian Susil Premjayantha should be included with the Cabinet Pool. Of course, skipper President Rajapaksa will select his Best Eleven. On paper Parliamentarians XI will be the favourites. Cricket is a game full of glorious uncertainties. Therefore, SL Cabinet XI can turntables, with his tactful skipper President Rajapaksa.

SL Parliamentarian XI possess the two most outstanding World Class two superstars. Anandian Rolly-Polly Arjuna Ranatunga and Charming Master Blaster from St Servatius Matara Sanath Jayasuriya. He is a fine left-arm leg spinner of international fame and an outstanding all-rounder. These two will be the cynosure of all eyes.

Gamini Jayawickrema Perera

When selecting a captain seniority counts (not always). But in cricket normally a senior player is elected captain. If you adopt this criteria my choice of captaincy should go to experienced, tall, lanky Nalandian (Nalanda opening bowler, when I was the keeper/opening batsman of 1957) Gamini Jayawickrema Perera. The fiery left arm pace man who bowls like Wasim Akram of Pakistan or Chaminda Vaas of Sri Lanka, in 1957 captured 5 for 55 in the Big Match against Ananda.

According to my Dream Team, Nalandian Thilanga Sumathipala and stylish Thomian Namal Rajapaksa known as “Mr Reliable” who plays a sheet anchor role should open. Royalists experienced Ranil Wickremesinghe, a hard hotting batsman and Sajith Premadasa - “A grafter of Runs” should be number three and four. Ranil Wickremesinghe should be the Man behind the stumps.

I prefer diminutive Anandian Ruwan Ranatunga, hard-hitting A H M Azwer, Ravi Karunanayake, Lakshman Kiriella to follow. The new ball should be handled by Sarath Weerasekera, with Ravi Karunanayake. The Parliamentarian XI pool should consists Anandian Matara Buddhika Patirana, Kurunegala Sarath Basnayake, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Ranjan Ramanayake and Wijedasa Rajapaksa.

I prefer honourable Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa and Deputy Speaker to officiate as umpires.

The Match Referee should be the Former Speaker, Governor of Sabaragamuwa Erudite scholar W J M Lokubandara. I wish both teams good luck.

(The names are not official. Probably they will announce the official teams in due course)