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From cricket to contract bridge
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Ashantha de Mel, former Sri Lankan cricketer who now plays bridge for his country, speaks about his passion for both games.
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Ashantha de Mel (left) during the friendship bridge series.
IMRAN KHAN'S words came to mind during the chat with Ashantha de Mel, the former Sri Lankan fast bowler who was part of the Emerald Isle's bridge team that played a friendship series against Tamil Nadu.
The Pakistan cricketer wrote in his autobiography, "Allround View," — "the problem is that being involved in a professional sport at the highest level is like being in a love affair. You can't get over it until you fall in love again, and that is the key. It is not simply a question of finding another profession, it is about finding another involvement... "
Most professional sportsmen are invariably on the horns of dilemma at the end of their careers with regard as to what to do next. Many continue to be involved with the game in other capacities, for it is tough to stay away from something that has been an integral part of one's life for so long. Some develop other passions. Imran's was the cancer hospital. De Mel turned to bridge when his injury-filled cricketing career came to a close after the Reliance World Cup 1987. He played in 17 Tests, claiming 59 wickets, and in 57 ODIs, collecting 59 wickets, apart from being a useful lower-order batsman.
He went on to become a double international, so to say, representing his country at various international bridge competitions since 1993, including the Commonwealth Games. "I was in two minds, really, whether to pursue golf or bridge. I opted for bridge on various counts. As you know, I had damaged my knee pretty badly and that made playing active sport difficult. Then, the time factor. Golf asks for long practice hours, and being in the clothing business it is a touch difficult for me."
But why bridge? "Well, my father has always been a enthusiastic bridge player. In fact, many of my family members play bridge. During my cricketing days, I hardly knew bridge. But now I'm a great follower of the game. You know, bridge hooks you. It's fascinating, stimulating too, and keeps you alert. But it is also time-consuming. My two daughters are eternally complaining that I don't spend enough time with them." De Mel said his best performance internationally was a third place in the Middle East Asia Championship in Jordan in 1995. He sounded thrilled about the renewal of bridge contacts between his country and Tamil Nadu. "We are close culturally. I have fond memories of the Gopalan Trophy cricket series. It was fun. The first Test was also in Chennai. I got five wickets in the second innings and seven in all in the drawn game." The topic moved to his cricketing days, and his country's inaugural Test against England in 1981-82. "But my best moment on the cricket field is our maiden Test victory, in 1985-86. For then, we were not considered finishers. And it was a formidable Indian side that we beat, with the likes of Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Amarnath and Vengsarkar."
So who is the best batsman you have bowled to? "Viv Richards, of course. But Gavaskar was the most difficult to dislodge. No two ways about that."
De Mel has served on the interim committee of the Sri Lankan Board, was a national selector and manager of the under-19 team. Any regrets? "Wish I could have played cricket longer, but then the injuries. Life has been good to me otherwise," he concluded.
SANJAY RAJAN
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