Prince of Wales won their Big Match in 1977 after 18 years and it also fell on their Centenary Year.
Pemlal Fernando was the captain of Prince of Wales and Walter Fernando captained St Sebastian’s. It is interesting to note that during this encounter both the captains fell for first ball ducks and to cap it all it was repeated in the second innings as well but not first ball ducks but ducks all the same. Probably these ducks came about due to big match nerves. All this took place not in a pond but on a cricket field.
The scores of that match were as follows, in the first innings Sebastianites were all out for 86 with Munaweera 2 for 27, Sripal Silva 3 for 36, Pemlal Fernando 1 for 10, Suresh de Silva 2 for 6, Professor Sandun Keerthichandra 1 for 2 taking the wickets.
In reply Prince of Wales got 118 for 9 declared; Jayantha Perera 17, Amal Silva 23, Wirantha Fernando 10, Munaweera 33 and Sripal Silva 28. Sebs in their second essay was all out for 70. Munaweera 3 for 15, Gamini Silva 1 for 9, Pemlal Fernando 1 for 14, Sripal Silva 1 for 9, Keerthi Chandra 3 for 4. The target for victory was 39 runs and the Cambrians got 41 for 2 sealing a famous victory. Jayanath Perera-11, Amal Silva 17 n.o. and Wirantha Fernando 13 n.o.
Harsha Peiris (1968-1981) an outstanding Cambrian and a key figure in the business circles of Sri Lanka was the host who felicitated this Cambrian Big Match winning team. Peiris stated that this team deserved recognition and honour as none of the teams played thereafter could achieve a Big Match victory, although the College has produced cricketers of repute. He also adds that this unique achievement was due not only to the talent that was available in this outfit but also to the team work, dedication and excellent captaincy by Pemlal Fernando. Incidentally this team also included Sudath Munaweera whose son Dilshan Munaweera is representing Sri Lanka at present.
Peiris pointed out that perseverance, dedication blended with hard work was the formulae for their success and it richly deserved recognition.
Following are the brief pen sketches of this Cambrian team.
Late Wirantha Fernando: Captained cricket Soccer and Athletics. Captained Sri Lanka Under 19 team. Schoolboy Cricketer of the year 1976. Captained, Colombo Colts CC who won the championship. He also played professional cricket in Australia.
Pemlal Fernando (Capt): Represented Sri Lanka under19 in Pakistan. National “Poolist.” Played first class/Professional Cricket for 20 years for Ferndale Pro, in Melbourne Australia. Australian Level 2 coach. Coached a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) team, who became champions three times. At present a Match Referee at MCA and SLC.
Jayanath Perera (Vice Captain): Captained Prince of Wales in 1978.
Amal Silva: Played for NCC, represented Sri Lanka wicket keeper/batsman, scored a century at Lord’s (the only Cambrian to achieve this feat thus far). Played 9 Tests and 20 ODI’s.
Suresh de Silva: Captained Prince of Wales in 1978/79.Domiciled in Australia.
Sudath Munaweera: He was The Man of the Match, best batsman and the highest scorer in the Big Match. Represented Sri Lanka under 19 team vs. Australia in 1978 and vs. Pakistan in 1979. Played for Middlesex league in UK, and Moor Bank SC in Australia. He was also in the Sri Lanka National pool. At present a level 2 Cricket Coach, Cricket Umpire and a Match Referee.
Gamini Silva: The first Cambrian Test Umpire. A Panel Umpire of the ICC officiated in 3 Tests and 27 ODI’s. National Curator, Bangladesh.
Professor Sandun Keerthichandra: Captained Prince of Wales Under 19 Team. Led the University team from 1995 to 2001.
Sripal Silva: Scored a century against St Benedict’s College which was the first century at the Moratuwa Stadium turf. Played against Pakistan under 19 in 1979. He was a national poolist four times from 2003 to 2007.
Ram Manohar: He was a right hand bat and a good cover fielder.
Shanthilal Fernando: A useful all-rounder and the brother of the Captain.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TEAM:
Rohan Fernando (senior), Major Uraj de Silva, Ajith Kariyawasam and late Rohan Fernando (junior).
Wirantha Fernando was an outstanding cricketer produced by Prince of Wales and some of the newspaper headlines in the era go as follows: “Wirantha Fernando takes the lead”- “Another 100 by Wirantha”- “This Cambrian is the Talk of the Town, Promised sisters a century - and got a ‘double’!”- “Wirantha Fernando slams 207” and “Wirantha takes 8 for 26.”
Sunil de Silva was the Head Coach of this trail blazing team he played for Prince of Wales College from 1959 -1961. He coached Prince of Wales from 1976 to 1987 and later on held the position of Director of Sports at Prince of Wales. And finally a word of thanks to Harsha Pieris who collaborated with Pemlal Fernando and Sudath Munaweera in providing me with sufficient raw material to process this article.
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