David,
Cathy and Romesh CRUSE were hosts to a gala evening of
fun and fellowship at the Knox Tavern on Thursday 26th July when
ROMESH KALU was in Melbourne to gain his second division cricket
coaching certificate. Invited guests included Ian Crawford –
President of the Prahran Cricket Club and Founder Trustee of the
Sri Lanka Cricket Foundation of Victoria, Dav Whatmore, Owen Mottau
, Asanka Gurusinghe and a host of ex-Sri Lankan cricketers.
Romesh
Kalu is fondly remembered by Melbourne cricket fanatics for his
mesmerizing opening partnership with Sanatha Jayasuriya when for
the very first time in one day cricket he set about demolishing
the Aussie pace attack with a score of over 100 runs in the first
15 overs. Such hectic hitting had never been seen previously at
the start of a ODI but was soon to set the norm for all future
ODI’s. Tony Greig’s exciting description of this partnership
is now a legend in cricket commentaries.
KALU
burst on to the international cricket scene with an unbeaten 132
on debut against Australia in 1992-93. His wicket keeping was
never as exciting as his batting – perhaps because of the
tiredness and exhaustion from opening the batting for Sri Lanka.
But his diminutive size and quick eye saw the ball dispatched
to the boundary with monotonous ease much to the loud cheers from
a captive audience.
Kalu
has played cricket for the Colts Cricket Club, Galle Cricket Club
and the Sebastianites Cricket and Athletic Club. He is at present
the Coach of the Colts Cricket Club in Melbourne.
His
level 2 coaching certificate will offer him more opportunities
in cricket coaching. We wish this Sri Lankan cricketing legend
the very best in the future.
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