Fr. Alfred Crowther By L R H Anrdt

By L R H Anrdt.

FLASHBACK: S. SARAVANAMUTTU AT GAMBRIDGE (We reprint this from our Magazine of August, 1921)

S. Sarvanamuttu, our old Captain, has won himself and his old school fresh laurels in the playground of Cambridge. He had the honour of scoring the first century in Cambridge cricket when he hit up 100, not out, for S. Catherine's against S. john's, but Saravanamuttu's performance were not confined to inter Collegiate matches at Cambridge, for his undoubted merit as a cricketer was soon recognised, and he had the honour of being chosen to play in the Freshman's match where the flower of English Public School cricket figures. Saravanamuttu, who was very much in the picture, speedily justified the decision of his selectors, for he made top score for his side and also bowled best. In the first innings he played a charming innings of 62 and was caught at square leg off last year?s Eton Captain, Hill-Wood. When he seemed set for a century. I bowling he got 4 wickets for 80 run in a heavy scoring match and in the second innings he scored 18 after he had made a very favourable impression. Soon after he played in another trial game and scored 12 and got 4 wickets for 32 runs. Saravanamuttu has fulfilled the best traditions of Thomian cricket and but for the fact that Varsity cricket at present is stronger than even Country cricket. There is no doubt Saravanamuttu would have won his cricket "Blue" as a Freshman. As it is, there are over 30 first class batsmen in residence at Cambridge fit for any Country team, so that Saravanamuttu must bide his time and improve his scoring strokes behind the wicket to be in the forefront of present day Varsity batsmen. It may be mentioned that the honour of playing in the Freshmen's match has fallen only once before to a Ceylon man and that too was to an Old Thomian, Shelton de Saram having played in 1905. All the English sporting papers speak enthusiastically of Saravanamuttu and even punch has heard of him. We have little doubt that Saravanamuttu will make a mark in English cricket before he returns to Ceylon.

FALSHBACK

Among the "Charivaria" of Punch of May 18th, there occurs the following :-

"Saravanamuttu, now at Cambridge, says a contemporary, will make a great name as a cricketer. As far as names are concerned he seems to be doing pretty well already".

This is the first occasion on which a Ceylonese cricketer, even though owing to the length of him name, has figured in Punch's excusive columns.

From news by the last mail we learn that Saravanamuttu has been incited by Sussex to play for that country from next season. It will be remembered that Ranjitsinghi made Cricket History as a member of the Sussex team.

[In a subsequent issue, writing of him in his last Term, in Notes and Comments one still hoped he would win his Blue, and if not that, then his Quid nunc.
-LAHA]

(Mr. Davison points out that Sara eventually won his Crusader colours).