The one that got away |
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I've never seen Mahesh Gunathilake keeping, but I've heard a lot about him, so I would say he's one of the very best keepers the nation has produced ever. Going by the standards Sri lanka had before they got their test status, he may be considered the very best. But one thing with so called cricket pundits in Sri Lanka, they never hesitate to label these 60s-70s-80s generation of cricketers the very best of their trade. I mean most of these are quite highly exaggregated ones. I know they were very good, that's why we (I'm a Sri Lankan Sinhalese too) got the full ICC membership in '82, but except a handful of them like Mahadevan Sathasivam, C.I. Gunasekara, F.C. De Seram, the rest were not in the league of greatness by international standards. I accept Mahesh Gunathilake to be a very fine wicket keeper, also a pretty useful batsman. But I have to say it's largely exaggregation that people like Gunathilaka, Michael Thisera, Ajith De Silva, Anura Tennakoon etc. were greatest ever players.
Thanks Jamie, this is a great bit of writing on a very gifted cricketer that Sri Lanka produced. I hope he is included in the shortlist when Sri Lanka's all time test team is selected..he deserves to be there. Another that was lost was Anura Ranasinghe, he would certainly have been the 1st genunie allrounder of Sri Lankan test cricket.
As I know this was set up by the cricket board. Even Mendis was aware of the whole situation and withdrawn from the team to go SA. This was a trap.
Seeing this article today has brought back nostalgic memories of Cricketer's of the early 80's. l never forgot Mahes Goonatilleke. Silently, I have been his Number 1 Fan for over 30 years. Growing up in Colombo in the 70's, Mahes Goonatilleke was the King of Wicket Keeping. His constant foot movement behind the stumps was a trade mark which served him well. As an employee of HNB, City Office and a Volunteer, I had the privilege of watching him keep wickets for Mother Lanka at the Inaugural Test Match at P.Sara Stadium. He was a very stylish Keeper with a lot of humility. The Cricket Pundits predicted a great future for this humble young man. After leaving the shores of Mother Lanka 25 long years ago, sometimes I do wonder what was the rationing behind banning these great cricketers who went to SA. The photo of Mahes in this article justifies his style and charisma as a Cricketer and a simple Sri Lankan. Wishing MG the best in life. Ranjit Canagaratnam Vancouver, Canada
What a waste of talent.How much he could have contributed to Srilankan Cricket . I don't think Srilanka has a nation would ever realize what they did to those rebel crickets it is th same thing has going to the IPL.I still remember the stumping of Grame Gooch in a oneday game against England.Srilanka went onto win that game. I hope Srilanka makes use of his Enormous talent that he cou;d offer Srilanka even now.
Mahesh was undoubtedly the most accomplished wicket-keeper Sri Lanka has produced and was a handy batsman too. I played against him at college level and then as a sport journalist followed his progress into the national team.He moved with pure silkiness and his keeping to spinners was a delight to watch. Mahesh unfortunately became a victim to a severe reaction by the Cricket Board. There was heavy denial by the organisers that such a tour to South Africa was happening and many were caught by surprise when the team left hurriedly - many people felt betrayed. Sri Lanka, having been newly entered into the Test arena, was quite sensitive to world opinion at the time and the" rebels"had to be taught a lesson. In retrospect,the punishment was very harsh but some of the cricketers, such as Bandula Warnapura, went on to serve Sri Lanka cricket well. I wish Mahesh well and hope Sri Lanka will continue to make use of his considerable skills to keep producing a good crop of wicket-keepers
Jamie Alter, thank you for writing about Sri Lankan cricket and your experiences at home so passionately. You help to enlighten the world about our little island and cricketers. Even from this little town in Ohio, I am able to rekindle my memories of Sri Lanka because of your writings. At age nine, I remember watching Mahesh Goonetilleke keeping wickets in the cricket field of the beautiful Peradeniya campus. He was so stylish and seemed very approchable. By writing about Goonetilleke, you remind us that life can sometimes be unfair to some. You have also shown that he, however, is someone who has taken it humbly and moved on in life, which is not the easiest thing to do. Please continue your terrific work! p.s. did you meet the 'tuk tuk' driver again whom you wrote about in one of your blogs?? great story!
HI DAGS, during that time (early 1980's) SA was banned from international sports.all the countries have suspended their sports activities with SA because of the the apartheid. So bandula warnapura & co (including mahesh G) went on a tour of SA. it was a personally organized tour with no involvement by the SL govt or cricket board. because of this they were banned from international cricket for 25 years. so..for a cricketer 25 years means a life time ban !!
Mahes Goonatilleke was the best, no doubt, for those who have seen him and I had a chance to see him perform during their first Test tour of Pakistan. Remember that his batting was not like Sangakara but was dogged enough to occupy the crease for hours and also got 50 plus in one of the test match. Unfortunatley Sri Lanks cricket have also gone for batsman who can keep wickets rather than keepers who can bat.
DAGS, back in those days South Africa and its racist government had been banned from competing in international sport, including cricket. Playing in South Africa may have resulted in a bit of money, but it also resulted in temporary or permanent banning for them in their home countries. Countries like Australia and England had some rebel tours to South Africa in the 1980s and their players ended up being banned for a few years. Other countries, like Sri Lanka and the West Indies, also had tours but they punished their players more harshly. It's a real pity Goonatilleke didn't get to play county cricket.
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