Former Royal skipper Gamini Salgado dies

Thushan Jayasuriya

Royal Thomian centurion and the 1942 Royal cricket captain Gamini Salgado died on Tuesday at the age of 90 years.

Gamini Salgado, a fine batsman turned out for Royal College from 1940 to 1942 , captaining in the final year. Under his leadership, Royal beat S.Thomas’ by six wickets at the old SSC Grounds at Victoria Park in the “63rd Battle of the Blues” with the highlight of the match being the brilliant century(112) by skipper Gamini Salgado after two early wickets fell that of George Rajapaksa and Hugh Aldons. Salgado batting at number four partnered by opener Rudolph Wickrematilleke was involved in a century stand for the third wicket which saw Royal finally get 305 runs and win by six wickets.

Among his teammates in the 1942 team were the late George Rajapaksa(later Minister of Fisheries and Health), Rudolph Wickrematilleke, Hugh Aldons( a triple international in cricket, rugby and hockey), Desmond Gunasekara, Christie Gunasekara(later Deputy Principal of Royal), Desmond de Moor, Stanley Oorloff, Ian Mclean, Dick Van Cuylenberg and Pin Fernando(later national golf champion).

His funeral will take place at the General Cemetery, Borella at 5.00 PM today with the cortege leaving residence 60/2 , Park Street, Colombo 2 at 3.30 PM preceded by the Christian service at the residence.