Cricketing Prince Vernon Prins

Premasara Epasinghe

Versatile gentlemen, sportsmen are a rare breed. To this category belongs this lovable, mild, gentle, thorough gentleman and sportsman. He had the proud distinction of representing his country in cricket and hockey. He was a product of the school by the sea – S Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. He as a student of Warden Canon R S de Saram Era. It reminds me a statement made by this Great Reverend Saram M A (Oxon) OBE – (1932-1958) which I quote below:

“We in our day must preserve the traditions and hand them over to those who come after us. We come and go; but S Thomas’ Esto Perpetua!”

As mentioned by Canon de Saram, the Thomian tradition has been handed over to seven Thomian captains to lead Ceylon. They were A C Amath, D L de Saram, V G Prins, M H Tissera, Dr B G Ried, A P B Tennekoon and L R D Mendis. They are labelled as :Gentlemen, captains” not only because of their cricketing prowess, but also for their behaviour patterns on and oft – the field. Among the galaxy of these Thomian captains who had the proud distinction of leading Ceylon or Sri Lanka.

Vernon George Prins, shines like a bright star. To him, the spirit of the game was more important than the final outcome.

First Time I met Prins

It was the year 1957. I was the wicket keeper opening batsman for Nalanda First XI. Our coach, fatherly figure Gerry Gooneratne, came to my residence and picked me up, in his Vauxhall car, proceeded to Nalanda Hostel to pick Gamini Jayawickerema Perera, Nalanda left arm paceman. Gerry Gooneratne was the captain of Saracens. They were down to play NCC in a Division One Sara Match at NCC grounds. Unfortuantely, Saracens regular keeper Josephian Keerthi Caldera and opening bowler Roy Perera were not available for this vital game.

Two of us, Jaya and I were thrilled, but excited. Our Baptism to big league against the likes of Vernon Prins, Malcolom Spittle, Reinzie Perera, K M T Perera, Dr H I K Fernando excited us.

If my memory serves right, I opened with that fine opener Herbie Felsinger. Malcolm Spittle and Vernon Prins opened bowling. We started slowly, steadily and my senior partner Herbie, was a tower of strength to me. I was playing on the “V”, collected five singles and slowly settled down. This particular over I was facing NCC and Sri Lankan skipper Vernon Prins. I drove Prins for two consecutive boundaries a cover drive and an on drive.

“Nice shot Boy”, Vernon Prins uttered, clapping he came forward with his follow through and tapped my back. I was in cloud nine. The comment, I got from no other lesser person then the captain of the Ceylon team.

1943 won the Battle of the Blues

Vernon Prins started his schooling at the Training College, Colombo, which was the Royal Prep. After three years, his parents sent him to S Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia in 1934. He played for S Thomas’ from 1940 to 1943, captaining the last year and had the distinction of beating Royal in the Big Match played at the Colombo Oval by 10 wickets. Victorious Team comprised P A Jurianz, A S Manamperi (Wkt keeper), G Weeratunga, C Saravanamuttu, V G Prins, R Selvaratnam (Vice Captain), M S Weerakoon, K L M Perera, H S Coomaraswamy, G M Daniel and S Elapata. In this 64th Battle of the Blues K L M Perera (98 not out), S Elapata 44 were associated with a last wicket stand of 114 runs, a unique record.

The 1943, Royal Team was captained by Rudolph Wickerematileke. George Rajapaksa, highly respected politician from Mulkirigala, Southern Province and a Minister captained Royal in 1944. Dr Ernie Peiris and V S De Kretser also played for Royal this year. H S Coomaraswamy bowled best for STC in the 2nd innings returning the figures of 18.2-8-25-6.

Joins NCC

After leaving S Thomas’ College, Vernon Prins joined Nondescript Cricket Club – NCC in 1941. He captained NCC from 1952-1959. Some of the renowned players who played under him were Malcolm and Lucien Spittle, K M T Perera, Stanley Jayasinghe, Dr H I K Fernando, Malcolm Franke etc.

Professional careers

He started his career as a Police Officer and left the Police Force as an Inspector. Later, he worked at Bosanget Skrine, Whitall Boustead Ltd. He retired from Consolidated Exports.

Double – international

Vernon Prins played cricket and hockey for police and later represented Ceylon.

Some of his contemporaries who played for police cricket team were T B Werapitiya, Malcolom Spittle, D S Jayasundera, Hubert Bagot, Niel Weerasinghe etc. His father Dr “Kruger”, J C A Prins influenced Vernon to play hockey from school days. He played in the Andriesz Shield Tournament.

A Classy batsman

In early 1950's, Vernon, C I Gunesekera, Sathasivam where the darlings of spectators.

Prins had a wonderful eye and a wonderful brain. He possessed a majestic personality. His unbeaten 31 against Freddie Browns XI in 1950, 46 against Leslie Ames Commonwealth XI in 1951, 42 against Lindsay Hassel's Australian XI in 1953, were three of Prins’ best innings. He faced the Best Bowlers in the world at that time, such as Alec Bedser, Trevor Bailey, Roy Lindwell, Kieth Miller, Richie Benaud, Bill Johnston, Sonny Ramaddin etc.

Great all-rounder

Vernon Prins was one of the Best All Rounders Sri Lanka produced before gaining Test Status. He made over 8000 runs in about 8 seasons. In 1950/1951 Vernon Prins scored 5611 runs at an average of 45.25. He scored 14 centuries and 36 half-centuries. He held 92 catches. Cricket and Vernon Prins were inseparable. He remained a bachelor. He was married to cricket. Vernon Prins was a charming, charismatic personality and a fine human being. He was an ornament to cricket. Although, Prins closed his innings, but still he lives with the educated cricketing fraternity of the yesteryear.