Somasundaram Skandakumar
That Thomian team in 1965 was like Bradman’s Invincibles. They fielded a superbly balanced side that smashed all records as Barney Reid led their bowling with uncanny control and very late and sharp inswing, while Sarath Seneviratne their skipper and Anura Tennakoon spearheaded the batting.
At Tea on the second day following on with two hours to go we were eight down and the Thomians were celebrating. Wadugodapitiya was joined by our dear Lakshman Thalayasingham and they defended stoutly as the minutes ticked by until a few minutes before close Thalay was out stumped playing on his back foot
He never lived that down
He never lived that downThe last pair held firm and we escaped with an honourable draw.
I batted at No 4 in both innings occupying valuable time, by adhering strictly to coach Mahes Rodrigo’s words as I stood up to go in the first time “Don’t take your eyes off Barneys Balls .“
Great memories indeed! &&&&&&&&&&
A THOUGHT from Adelaide, March 2025
What inspiring guidance from Mahes Rodrigo! ….. Just the type of ‘action’ one would expect from a scrum-half! ……….
Scenario at the end of the match in 1969
EMAIL COMMENT from ERROL FERNANDO in Melbourne, 3 March 2025:
“You were obviously the ‘Talk of the Town’ and everybody’s favourite. Congratulations, of course. However, I never expected that the most famous ADVICE from the great coach Mahes Rodrigo was, ” Don’t take your eyes off Barney’s balls”. Has any other coach in the History of Cricket EVER given better and greater advice? How many batsmen have never taken their eyes off Barney’s balls?
It is indeed the best advice I have ever heard.”
Comment from Michael Roberts re Cricketing Lore at PERADENIYA UNIVERSITY in the late 1950s: “Do not attempt a risky run when the ball is hit to that bugger ERROL FERNANDO!”
While Mahes the Royal coach was advising the Royal batters not to take their eyes off Barney’s balls, we, non cricketers in the Royal tent were singing out hoarsely the famous ditty ” the poor little bugger has NO balls at all “!
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