The Pilot Who Scored Sri Lanka's First Fifty
Capt. Sunil Wettimuny who turns 76 years today, had an unusual encounter with a Policeman at the hospital after scoring Sri Lanka's first ODI Fifty in the 1975 World Cup!
He may not have the most memorable innings on debut but he is the first Sri Lankan to score a Fifty in ODIs and international cricket, for the fiery bowling of Jeff Thomson and fellow Australian pacemen sent him straight to the hospital. Before getting to the incident, here's what you need to know about Sunil Wettimuny who turns 76 years old today!
Born on a day like this in 1949, he is the eldest of the four Wettimuny brothers, of which three including himself played Cricket for Sri Lanka. He captained the Ananda College Cricket team in 1968 before joining the SSC to play First Class Cricket.
A member of the first World Cup
When talking about his international career, he played only three ODIs as he went on to become a pilot in 1981, the same year Sri Lanka gained Test status. It's also said he missed the opportunity to play for the Inaugural Test team as he wasn't granted leave to play and was even in contention for captaincy!
He made his ODI debut against Australia at the 1975 Prudential World Cup. Although he didn't play in the first match against West Indies, he came to open the batting against a very fiery bowling unit of Australia where he even went on to become the first Sri Lanka batter to score a Fifty in ODIs and the World Cup. But things too a very different turn.
"Do you want to press charges against Mr.Thompson?"
The fearsome Jeff Thomson who was already causing trouble with his lightning pace struck him in many parts of his body. Feet, head, ribcage, he was virtually fighting for his life! After a marathon innings of 53 in 102 balls, he finally succumbed to a blow in the ribs again and was stretchered out of the grounds.
The story goes that an off duty Policeman was going on his rounds at the hospital and saw both Sunil and Duleep Mendis (also got hit in the head) in bed. The Policeman looking concerned seeing the obviously non English looking patients, asked "who hit you?" from Sunil. He replied "Thomson" very softly.
Now the Policeman who did not know that this Thomson was being referred to the Australian Fast Bowler, kept on asking questions to identify the culprit even when revealed as to where the incident happened (The Oval) and finally asked "do you want to press charges against Mr. Thomson?"
Sunil replied "No, we were just playing Cricket," much to his amusement for the English Policeman had no idea the World Cup was happening in their country! This story is from his book 'Cricket is a Noble Art' where he also holds the unique distinction of being the first Sri Lankan Cricketer to write a book.
Flying the 1996 team back home
Despite retiring hurt that day and carried out of the ground, he had the privileged to carry the victorious Sri Lanka team back home on a special flight after the 1996 World Cup.
Here we see Captain Sunil holding the World Cup Trophy in the presence of skipper Arjuna Ranatunga and coincidentally, won against the very team that sent him to the hospital that day in 1975!
Post retirement as a pilot, he went on to become an aviation instructor in Singapore, with a flying career of over four decades.
Here's to wishing Captain Sunil Wettimuny on his 76th birthday today!