Arjuna Ranatunga Cricket Academy
By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto
Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga had heaps of praises for West Indians Sir Gary Sobers, Vivian Richards and Brian Lara on Sunday, as he officially launched the Sorkam Summer Camp for the Arjuna Ranatunga Cricket Academy at Ellesmere in Scarborough.
Sir Vivian Richards. Photo: WICB
The left-handed batsman, who led his country to their first International Cricket Council 50-over World Cup title in 1996, noted that Sobers was exceptionally great as a genuine cricketing all-rounder.
He also rated Richards for his flamboyance and his aggressive approach to the game while he reserved special mention to Lara, whose accomplishments are still amazing.
The two other distinguished players on Ranatunga’s list of five best cricketers are: India’s Sachin Tendulkar and New Zealand’s Martin Crowe.
“When you look at these guys batted, there was something special about them and I was lucky to play among these great cricketers; I learnt a lot from Sobers and what he thought me about the game at a young age is still memorable,” Ranatunga related.
Sobers represented West Indies in 93 tests while Richards was capped on 121 occasions and Lara featured 131 games. Their performances for the Caribbean team during their illustrious careers were absolutely outstanding and unmatched, mentioned the Sri Lankan Politician.
“Their achievements in this game alone can tell you about their superb talent and making those impressions and resounding impact throughout their career is testimony to their unwavering commitment to the game; I love Sobers because he was a wonderful [thinker] of the game while Richards was just naturally a batting icon and Lara the way he carried himself to the world on the cricket field by getting all those records,” Ranatunga told the gathering.
Tendulkar, a phenomenal cricketer during his time for India, will be remembered by many generations, according to Ranatunga and he encourages other aspiring cricketers to take inspirations from these men above.
Crowe was a dedicated and committed cricketer and that was something really that Ranatunga admired in him.
“I have always willing to give back to this great game of cricket; Tendulkar and Crowe were excellent cricketers for their respective countries too and I always feel the youngsters who want to play the game, must be inspired with the way these gentlemen played their game and their commitment to be good batsmen as well,” Ranatunga mentioned.
He further related that Canada’s cricket needs help and his plan to bring this academy can be very instrumental fundamentally. He believes in the skills and techniques which should be instilled to young cricketers quickly.
“Once you apply the basics of the game, I think it will be very helpful and having an academy to learn the skills and techniques in all aspects of the game will be a tremendous way to get things started; I in Canada to take the game from the baby stage and I know it will in times to come,” Ranatunga, said.
The academy already started since last week while Ranatunga is expected to be back in Canada early September to continue with the courses and assist his coaches, who have been appointed to work along with the kids.
