The polished, unbroken and determined sixth wicket record breaking partnership of 189 runs which helped Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva in the second and the final Test at SSC ground will sure go down as one of the finest acts in Sri Lanka's cricket history.
There are many lessons that our school cricketers should learn from this ``gem of an unbeaten partnership'' - determination, concentration, courage, guts and putting the country before self. This innings by two of the proudest sons of Lanka, Arjuna and Aravinda is undoubtedly a model lesson for our young cricketers. This partnership will remain in our memory for many years.
The role of leadership is more significant in cricket than in any sport. Aravinda de Silva (143 n.o.) and Arjuna Ranatunga (87 n.o.) both leaders knew how to deploy whatever skills their players had at their disposal and put them together without suppressing their flair and uniqueness.
Aravinda marshalled his troop as Arjuna nursed a back-injury on the fourth day. It is a requirement of captaincy not to panic in situations. Captains must concentrate and be in charge every moment. Like an Army Commander, the captain has to expose his men to danger and hardship. Strategy is essential and vital. Both Aravinda and Arjuna formulated a plan and how nicely they achieved their target. They were unmoved and unruffled. Ultimately their power of concentration paid rich dividends.
Aravinda de Silva completed his 16th Test century and his first against Zimbabwe in 321 mins with two sixes and 12 fours. His glorious innings of an unbeaten 143 came in 459 mins in 313 balls.
This eleventh Test victory can be considered as the best recorded in the 81 Tests that Sri Lanka played from 1982.
All games like life, serves up a variety of blows and ignominies. To be dismissed is a disaster to any batsman. Anyone, who has played cricket at any level knows that all players have their day of disaster, as well as their day of glory. Sanath Jayasuriya played a brilliant innings of 68 runs. Attapattu, Mahanama and Tillekaratne all departed without any contribution and the Singhalese Sports Club scoreboard was a dismal sight to watch not only for Aravinda, but for all of us. With this background, naturally your morale is at a low ebb. It was the determination, concentration and courage of Aravinda de Silva, the champion master batsman in the world, that made all the difference. When Aravinda makes up his mind he can look the most invincible and dangerous batsman in the world, whether it is limited over or Test cricket.
Consistency is the hallmark of a champion. Aravinda de Silva collected seven centuries last year (1997) and he began the New Year 1998 with another unbeaten century. Glorious sunshine blessed every moment of play and Aravinda and Arjuna began the innings on the final and fifth day with grim protective vigilence. Undoubtedly, these two can be considered as two of the greatest and experienced exponents of the willow in the Test cricket circuit. Injured Ranatunga gave all the moral support to his vice-captain and waited till his team completely demolished the Zimbabweans. Both Aravinda and Arjuna considered the attack at the correct time, as the best form of defence. They swept, nudged, cut and drove and treated every ball on its merits and were soon in command. T hey were determined not to throw their wickets away.
All young school cricketers should take this as a model example for batting. Never lose courage. Form is temporary - class is permanent.