Media savvy Warnaweera no more

Former Sri Lanka Test bowler Jayananda Warnaweera, a cricketing character unlike any other, passed away yesterday at the age of 64.

‘Warney’ as he was fondly called, made his debut in 1986 against Imran Khan’s Pakistan team in Colombo at a time slow bowlers were hard to come by in the country.

He could not play the full match because of a side strain, but recovered and played 10 Test matches along with six ODIs taking 32 wickets in the five-day format.

He was one of the most media savvy cricketers in the Sri Lankan camp and showed them his gratitude by ensuring journalists they were most comfortable and welcome at the Galle Cricket Stadium where he played a backstage role at a time Press facilities were not the way it is today.

He was also the curator of the Galle Stadium and earned much praise by visiting teams for his prowess in rallying ground staff to take care of the ground during adverse weather conditions.

He was known as a spin-friendly curator.

He will be long remembered by journalists for his dramatic sense of humour and a somewhat rebel against the establishment as he had it his way most of the time.