Contrasting Cricketing Tours Abroad: UK in 1975 vs Australia in 2022

IN Response to the News Item by Callistus Davy on the Profligate Tamasha enjoyed by SL’s cricketing officials during the recent World Cup in Australia ………… EMAIL NOTE: Mevan Pieris of [S. Thomas’ College] to Prabodh Kariyawasam [Richmond College], 19 January 2023

Dear Kari,

I read your mail and thought of the past when cricketers were amateurs. We went to the Oval in our own vehicles at our own cost and remember getting Rs 15/= per day during a 4 day test match, which was probably enough to clean the boots. I also remember how we went to England to play in the first World Cup in 1975, carrying with us just 3 pounds of foreign exchange, and how we had to lodge in the Student Centre in difficult conditions. Yet for all no one grumbled and derived happiness from our love for the game which exceeded love for money. It was nice reading the long list of VIPs who seem to have made merry down under [in 2022]. Socrates is said to have told Hercules that God helps those who help themselves. We certainly have a damn good lot of believers in Socrates.

Good night Kari, ……………….. Mevan

ITEMS & PICTURES relating to the 1975 Tour of England: Dhuppath Ayagey Marga! The BCCSL sent the squad to Nuwara Eliya for acclimatization and training with Raja Wickremasinghe of Richmond, Peradeniya Uni and the SLAF as taskmaster, A bus was hired to transport the players up country. This photo depicts most of the players and officials.

Standing l-to-r: David Heyn, Roy dias, Sarath Fernando, Niel Perera (ast Manager), Raja Wickremasinghe (trainer), KMT perera (manager) …. Squatting l-to-rt: Duleep Mendis, Bandula Wranapura, Ajit De Silva, Anura Ranasinghe, Lalith Kaluperuma, Dennis Chanmuagam, DS de Silva, Ranjit Fernando, Tony Opatha, Anura Tennakoon, HSM Pieris