Percy Abeysekera is a unique character who has earned the world’s respect. That is because his contribution to cricket is priceless. Although he dedicated his whole life to the encouragement of the Sri Lankan cricket team, the players from other countries also loved Percy because he was full of the gentlemanly qualities shown in cricket. If you compile a list of people who have won the love of every player and the respect of the audience in cricket-playing countries, no one can prevent Percy Abeysekera from becoming the figure at the top of that list.
They respected the character of world cricket fans.
When this preface was written, Percy Abeysekera left this world, leaving only eternal memories. His departure during the season of the World Cup cricket festival is also remarkable. It will not be possible to see Percy Abeysekera alive again, cheering the Sri Lankan team with the lion flag in the middle of thousands of spectators. He earned the respect of all cricket fans worldwide for his mission of standing with the Sri Lankan team and the Sri Lankan fans in both victories and losses. He was sick for some time, and the fans could see him again recently during the Asia Cup cricket tournament. Several players, including Indian team captain Rohit Sharma, went to see Percy’s health, making it clear that he is a respected figure worldwide. However, Percy Abeysekera, who was admitted to a Ragama private hospital due to illness, passed away on October 30. Born in 1936 in the village of Galle Bussa, Percy was 88 years old when he died.
On July 30, 1936, Percy was born in Galle Busse as the fifth child in the family to Daley Margaret de Soysa Siriwardena and Valimuni Simon Mendis Abeysekera. He studied at Galle Richmond, St. Aloysius and Baddegama Ratanasara schools and was also interested in playing cricket. To watch a cricket match for the first time at the age of 12, Percy, who was a school student at that time, came from Galle by train with his brother to Borella P. Saravanamuthu Stadium. It was to see a match between Sri Lanka and Australia.
Percy was arrested for trespassing on the cricket field.
After completing his education, he joined the Associated Motorways Company as a stock control officer in 1961. That job was more important to him because he also got the opportunity to play cricket. Percy later managed to get involved with the company’s Trade Services Cricket Association. The tour of Sri Lanka by the Australian team in 1954 must have been a tournament he will never forget. Don Bradman, one of the greatest batsmen ever born in the world, led the Australian team. Asitha Jayaweera scored a half-century for the Sri Lankan in that unofficial test match, and Percy immediately went to the middle of the field and congratulated Asitha Jayaweera. He acted in a situation where the police had given an order not to go to the middle of the field. In the end, Borella ended up spending time in a police cell. However, after paying a fine of 100 rupees, a group of people arranged to release him that night.
It had become Percy’s habit not to count on obstacles, and he constantly tried to encourage the Sri Lankan cricket team. Percy Abeysera once stated that his sole hope was to be a strength for the Sri Lankan team regardless of victory or loss.
Here is how a dog was scared by saying “Bed”.
Percy also remembers the 1979 match against India at Old Trafford in England. Percy, who participated as a cheerleader for the Sri Lankan team, has recalled this on several occasions. The Sri Lankan team, who batted first, managed to score 238 runs for the loss of 5 wickets at the end of their 60 overs, in which Sunil Wettamuni scored 67 runs, and Dulip Mendis scored a quick 64 runs from 57 balls to strengthen the Sri Lankan scoreboard. Bishan Bedi tried to save Duleep’s shot as a catch near the boundary when he was 30 runs, but that attempt failed. Percy has recalled that he yelled loudly, “Bedi, a big dog is coming from behind.” Imitating him, another group shouted, “You cannot catch that.” It is a fact recorded in the history of cricket that Dulip Mendis was able to score 64 runs because Bedi, who was in trouble at that time, did not have a chance to save the catch. In this situation, the Indians, chasing a target of 239 runs, have managed to score only 191 runs, dismissing all the batters. It was recorded as the maiden victory in the history of Sri Lanka ODI cricket matches, and the match has also gone down in history as the first victory against a non-test-mandated country against a test-mandated country.
By chanting mantras and scaring Azaruddin
In 1985, the Indian cricket team toured Sri Lanka, which included 03 Test matches. Mohammad Azharuddin was emerging as a powerful batsman, and he scored centuries in the first three matches of his Test career. However, Percy had realized that Azaruddin was afraid of “spells”. A discussion has been created in the cricket world about a wonderful strategy adopted by Percy to take advantage of this situation. Percy bought a bone necklace from the Colombo Fort and came to the stadium with a plant. Later on, it has been learned that Percy Abeysekera tried to mislead Azaruddin by chanting false mantras and seeing that Azaruddin did not even get a chance to score a half-century. However, this action led to an exchange of words between Azaruddin and Percy years later.
In August 1984, the Sri Lankan cricket team participated in a tour of England. A few days before the Lord’s Test match, Percy went to Sidath Wettamuni’s house and met Sidath’s elder brother Sunil and asked if he had anything to say to his brother. Sunil, who heard it, said to Percy, “Tell my brother he has a good chance to score a century in this Test. That is what he said, “Do not miss it.” Keeping that message in mind, Percy left for England and took steps to deliver his brother’s message to Sidath Wettamuni. When the match started and the Sri Lankan team was batting, Percy encouraged Sidath by constantly saying the words “Sidath…. today…. tomorrow…. if possible, tomorrow” and making it a reality, Sidath Vettamuni continued throughout the day. He managed to score 190 runs in that inning. It is also recorded as the highest number of runs scored by a Sri Lankan batsman in a Test innings at that time.
Good bye to you.
There are many stories to be told about Percy. He is such a beautiful character. He became a symbol of the art of cricket encouragement in the world and was respected by the world’s top players with the affectionate address of “Percy”. Sir Garfield Sobers is one of Percy’s respected characters who is only two days younger than Sir Garfield Sobers.
Educated with hopes of becoming a lawyer, Percy stayed on the cricket field. As a matter of fact, not only him but every cricket lover in the world who watched him must have understood that the cricket field is the most suitable place for “Percy” rather than being a lawyer. So Percy… good bye to you…
