Norbert was a dedicated cricketer

Dilwin Mendis - Moratuwa Sports Correspondent

Some call him Norbert, some others N A and his Air Force colleagues call him "Evergreen". He is none other than Madappulli Arachchige Norbert Anthony Fernando former St Sebastians, Catamarans Sports Club, Air Force and Hotel Intercontinental all round Cricketer who was born on 6th June 1936 at Katukurunda, Moratuwa and was playing in this noble game of cricket till he was 65 years.

His first love is cricket and then soccer. He commenced playing cricket with the softball with his neighbouring friends. His entire school career was at St Sebastian's College and as he is keen on cricket attended practices at the age of ten but he was always in the reserve list in under 12, 14, 16 and Second Eleven age groups but he never got disheartened and did not give up. During this period the Prefect of Games was Rev Bro Patrick and the Coach was Ernie Dias.

In the meantime in early January 1956 Sebs had a practice game with Bank of Ceylon prior to the Cricket Season at their grounds. The two of their regular pace trio Francis Pinto and Lionel Fernando has gone to Nuwara Eliya on Christmas Holidays and has not returned. To fill the gap Rev Bro Patrick asked Norbert and Lucien Fernando to open the attack. Norbert who can swing the ball either ways at a terrific speed and with accuracy and line and length took the wicket of S Wickramasinghe from his first delivery caught by Kingsley Fernando for a duck. BoC went on to pass the 300 mark with Gamini Weerasinghe unbeaten on 155 and the Sebs Captain was Joe Abeyratne.

Then in the second practice match with Catamarans Sports Club he took 4 for 17 including the prize wicket of their Skipper and gloveman R T N Fernando. Just after the match he recommended Norbert to the coach and he was made a regular member under Joe Abeyrathne in 1956 and in 1957 under Kingsley Fernando and he played in both Big matches against Cambrians.

While playing for the college he represented Catamarans in the Sara Trophy with the Stalwarts like R T N, S E G Perera, Lloyd Perera, Claude Fonseka, Hugh Caldera, Nihal de Mel, K T Saradiel, Winton Peiris, Marcus Fernando, Archibald Weerasinghe, Thilak Wijedasa, Ermie Dias, S P Wijesinghe, Marcus Joseph to name a few and this enabled him to be a fine all-rounder and in his first outing in Sara he got 47 against Tamil Union at the Oval.

He joined Ceylon Theatres and was posted to Nuwara Eliya where his Cricket came to a standstill. Then he joined the then Royal Ceylon Air Force in 1959 and during his Combat training at Diyatalawa he came under FL/LT Gerry Weerarathne who made him the skipper of Diyatalawa Base Team as a raw recruit where he excelled with the bat and the ball. After coming to Katunayake he was selected to represent the Air Force in the inter services and his first match against Royal Navy he scored 67 runs and grabbed three wickets. In the other games against Royal Ceylon Navy and Ceylon Army too he excelled and thereby selected for the Combined Services Cricket Team.

In 1960 he played for the Air Force in the Daily News Trophy under Squadron Leader Harry Gunatileke, later Commander, which won the Trophy by beating NCC in the Finals and promoted to the Division Two but as there was no tournament in the following year he played for Catamarans in Division One.

Coming back to the Air Force Division Two in 1963/64 Air Force did well and in a match he was engaged in a partnership with former Richmond Skipper Hemasiri Hettige who scored 102 and put on 169 for the ninth wicket which is still a record for Air Force in any division. He is a Devout Catholic who respects all the religions. He was commended by his Superiors for his outstanding performances at various times and his dedication and devotion for Cricket and Sportsmanship on and off the field. He was 46 years when Sri Lanka got Test Status. He is a fine example for the younger generation where dedication and devotion to cricket is concerned.

In 1965/66 is an unforgettable year for Air Force Cricket where they won the Donovan Andree Trophy and got promoted to Sara Trophy. Norbert and the Writer Played a key role and both passed the 400 mark and Skipper Old Sokian K M Nelson took 66 wickets. It is disheartening to note that 47 years have been elapsed but Air Force could not repeat the achievement of 1965/66 of "Nelson's Men" in cricket and they could not win a single major tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket though they are spending a large amount of money for Cricket and have recruited school cricket leavers for the Regular and Volunteer Cadres. He toured Gan Island and India in 1969 and 1975 on the invitation to the Royal Ceylon Air Force Cricket teams by Royal Air Force and Indian Air Force respectively.

From 1966 to 1978 he represented Air Force in Sara Trophy and his contribution was immense and from 1979 to 81 he played in the Division Two and retired from service. It is unfortunate that most of his records are not available about his performance in his illustrious cricket career in the Air Force which spons for 22 years.

After leaving Air Force he joined the Hotel Intercontinental and represented them till 1998 and participated in E, D and C Divisions in the Mercantile Cricket and captaining the 'C' Division Team. In one game he put up a healthy partnership with Jayalath Fernando who scored 155 and Norbert claimed 5 for 3 runs.

He was known as "Mr Reliable" at Intercontinental and during his hotel career representing them he scored 2123 runs and claimed 169 wickets. Further more during this period he played for his club Catamarans in Division Three and in 1992/93 he led the team and in 2002 at the age of 66 he retired from cricket due to personal commitments.

Presently he is the Assistant Secretary of the St Sebastian's College Old Boys' Association and a Vice Patron of Catamarans Sports Club. When retiring from Hotel they felicitated him and said, "He is a great all rounder who always held the straight bat, bowled a varied spell, fielded tirelessly and gentleman in this gentlemen's noble game."

When contacted by the Writer he quipped though he is 76 years he is still fit to play. But due to pressure of work in his home front he is unable to do so. He paid a glowing tribute to the two late Commanders Rohan Amerasekara, Harry Goonetilleke and Padman "Paddy" Mendis for their support at all times and the encouragement given to him by all others. The live wire behind for all his successes is his loving wife Mrs Norma Fernando who is a tower of strength to him at all times.

He is disciplined, well mannered, versatile and his integrity is of the highest order.