Wkt. keeper batsman who tamed the Aussies

BY PREMASARA Epasinghe

"THE biggest blunder I made in my life, was joining the South African rebel tour in the late 1982, captained by Bandula Warnapura. At that time I was just 24. If I did not take part in this rebel tour, I would have played for Sri Lanka for many years and brought credit and honour to my country.

Now I realise what a mistake I made in playing cricket at Apartheid South Africa. We should not have gone." stated Hemantha Devapriya former Sri Lankan cricketer.

It will be interesting to know what this Apartheid is?

It is the racial segregation policy of the Government of South Africa, which was legislated in 1948, when the Afrikaner National Party gained power non whites.

Bantu, coloured or mixed or Indian do not share full rights of citizenship with the 4.5 million black people cannot vote in Parliamentary Elections and many public facilities and institutions were until 1990(and in some cases remain) restricted to use of one race only; the establishment Black National States is another manifestation of Apartheid. In 1991, President de Klerk repealed the key elements of Apartheid legislation.

From 1991, outside world renewed sports ties again with South Africa, a land of riches.

South Africa produced some of the greatest cricketers that the world has seen of the likes of Eddie Barlow, T. L. Goddard, Barry Richards and R. G. Pollock.

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka in 1983 took a very firm decision to punish the cricketers who toured South Africa, and ban them from playing cricket and cricket administration for 25 years. It was a life sentence.

This decision was taken (not the number of years) accordance to the Government Policy prevailing in the country as there was no sports links with Apartheid South Africa. Not only Sri Lanka, there were many countries in the world who did not have any relationships with South Africa.

Not only the brilliant wicket keeper batsman Devapriya, but such talented cricketers like late Anura Ranasinghe (He paid the price in life), Ajith De Silva, Bernard Perera, Mahes Gunatilleke, Paceman Susantha Karunaratne, who could have done yeomen service to cricket in the years to come lost their carees due to this rebel tour. Some of the other crickets who participated in the "Blood Money Tour" were in their last stages of their career.

Some day or other, the "Mahavamsa of cricket" will record this South Africa tour as the "Biggest Black Mark" in its cherished cricket history and as a "Shamless Act" undertaken by a group, who tarnished the good image of Sri Lanka crickets. It was a big set-back to cricket in Sri Lanka in the 1980s.

This 25 year ban for Sri Lankan cricketers was lifted after 10 years - Out of all these rebel cricketers - Devapriya was an exception. He started all over again and in 1991, he guided his club Colts Cricket Club to championship honours in the Sara Trophy Tournament. At that time he was 32 years.

This proves a point. How much a young Devapriya, as a wicket- keeper batsman would have contributed to Sri Lanka cricket from 1982 to 1991, if he continued playing.

But, unfortunately, he paid the price for the big mistake he made. In a state or government there are set rules and regulations. In a democratic country, like Sri Lanka, we must all follow it.

Unassuming Devapriya was one of the best wicket-keepers produced by Nalanda. Among the top wicket-keepers produced by the school Hinton Gunaratne (Nalanda-Bloompfield-Kalutara), A. W. Dharmadasa (1950-1951) late Wasantha Seneviratne (1964-68) (Bloomfield), Sunil Jayasinghe (1970s), Teuton De Silva (1954-1954), Gamini Wickramasinghe 1980s), Mitra Siriwardane (1958), who succeeded me, are some outstanding Nalanda wicket-keepers that come to my mind.

Devapriya was born on April 12, 1958 in Galle. His father Bennett Hettiwatta was an accountant by profession. He served as the chief accountant at the Colombo Municipality. His mother's name - Oma Wijesundera. Hemantha has a sister and a brother.

As a child, Devapriya studied at the Christian College Kotte, presently Sri Jayawardenapura Maha Vidyalaya. He represented the under 11 and 13 cricket teams. As a under 13 player he represented the first XI too.

"From my childhood I had a fancy for wicket-keeping. I am ever grateful to my coaches at Christian College, Kotte. Indrasinghe and L. S. Perera. These two gentlemen did an honourary job," stated Devapriya.

In 1970, under Devapriya's captaincy, Christian College annexed the Runners-up Trophy, in the all island school cricket tournament, champs.

In 1971, he joined Nalanda Vidyalaya. After playing in the Under 16 Team, he graduated to the Nalanda First XI as the wicket-keeper batsman. He represented Nalanda First XI from 1975 to 1978. His senior cricket coach was late Gerry Gooneratne.

Later, he played for Bloomfield, CCC in the Sara Trophy Tournament.

The year 1981, Devapriya was selected to play against the Australians in an One Day International at Moratuwa.

This was the turning point of his life. He massacred the Australians and played a power-packed swashbuckling innings and scored a brilliant 82 with four sixes.

He hammered the Australian attack which consisted of Rodney Hogg, Geoff Lawson, Terry Alderman and spinner Ray Bright. Against Devapriya, they became mere pedestrians.

As a commentator, who commentated this match, I consider Devapriya innings, as one of the best that I have seen in my 40 years commenting career, here and abroad. It was simply an Epic innings and a Gem of an innings, I will never forget.

In 1992, he staged a fine comeback and scored 40 unbeaten runs at Uyanwatta against New Zealand in a Board XI match.

"I thought I will gain my Test Cap for Sri Lanka after this performance. But, I never got it. This was my biggest disappointment. To represent Sri Lanka you must have the talent, but of course, luck plays an important role," stated Devapriya.

After retiring from cricket he got into cricket administration and served as Sri Lanka "A" Team coach and he handled the SL Development squad as well as the SL Academy Team in 2004.

He passed the level one and two coaching Examinations held in Sri Lanka and completed his level three in England. Further he followed a special hi-tech coach course in Pakistan.

Presently, Devapriya is the Head-Coach of Ceylinco Fingara International Cricket Academy, which is a High Tech Cricket Coaching Centre situated at Rattanapitiya, Sri Lanka.

In 1987, he tied the nuptial knot with Manohari Priyadharshani Perera. They have three sons - Manil Chaturanga, Kalhara Thamonuja and Pramud Chalaka. They are studying at Nalanda and playing cricket for the College.