We were also pleased to receive items of cricket equipment from Billy Taylor – now happily restored to Hampshire, which included Shane Warne’s famous No 23 one-day shirt. Given the strength of Hampshire’s batting this season Billy is unlikely to require a bat and pads very often.
On arrival in Colombo on March 18 was a very warm one in every sense and attracted considerable publicity from TV, press and radio. We were particularly honoured during our first match at the Moratuwa ground in Colombo to be thanked personally by Marvan Attapattu, the present Sri Lanka Test captain for our visit and support.
Shortly after, reports appeared suggesting that te Sri Lankan Cricket Board had been dismissed following a disagreement with the Sports Minister over –among other things – who should attend the ICC meeting due to be held in Dubai.If this was the case it was not clear now who should receive our donations. The matter rumbled on for several daysand it seemed to be resolved temporarily, when following the threat of legal ation by the Board, the
dismissals’ were put on hold pending further discussions.
As a result we were very pleased on March 23 to present a cheque for £4,000 to Bandula Warnapura, the director Sri Lankan Cricket-Aid at the S.S.C Cricket Ground in Colombo. Older cricketers may remember Warnapura as Sri Lank’s first Test captain when in 182 they played their inaugural Test match against England.
Our donation towards Cricket-Aid will be used towards rebuilding the cricket infrastructure in the heavily affected Galle area. During the ceremony we were also able to present the equipment to two schools - Dharmasoka and Revatha – both very badly hit by the tsunami. Incidentally schools and club cricket in Sri Lanka I very well organised and full of talented players; for those clubs and schools thinking of an overseas tour Sri lanka should certainly be given serious consideration. Errol Senevriratne director Sports Tours Sri Lankan Cricket at rohanmalcolm@yahoo.com has huge experience of English touring sides at levels.
As the England’A’ side discovered playing cricket in Sri Lanka is hard work. |
