Doug Walters: AN ODE from a Sri Lankan Fan – By Michael Roberts
Source : thuppahis
Nimal R. Chandrasena’s Cricketing ODE for Doug Walters … within a book entitled LOOKING FOR DOUG … Doug Walters: An Australian Cricketing Legend
Short Synopsis of the Book
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The Book tells the story of a Sri Lankan-born cricket fan (the author) and his journey following the life and achievements of his boyhood hero – Doug Walters, a personal friend. The book is replete with material and opinions gleaned from interviews with Doug and Ian Chappell, the former Australian cricket captain under whom Doug played most of his cricket.
The author had been literally “Looking” for Doug from the time since he migrated to Australia in 1993. Hence, the title “Looking For Doug“. This Book is the author’s story, blended and woven with Doug’s through shared experiences. The author explains how cricket was a ‘window‘ to see the world and how he became a ‘witness‘ by listening to ABC and BBC radio commentaries received in Sri Lanka via shortwave overseas broadcasts. The book praises the roles of broadcasting giants, such as Alan McGilvray and John Arlott, who set standards unmatched by others.
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Brian Booth –Australia’s captain — and Doug Walters in 1965 after the debut century … source not known
Doug being introduced by Bill Lawry (covered) to Her Majesty The Queen in 1968. Next to Doug are Brian Taber, Paul Sheahan and Dave Renneberg … Source: Doug Walters Collection
Doug with Don Bradman after the debut hundred …. It was this photo that was published in 1965 in newspapers, which carried the caption ‘Dairy Farmer’s Son Goes the Milky Way’ …. Source: Doug Walters Collection
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The history of Doug’s achievements is chronicled in other books, some written by Doug himself. However, Doug’s story is considered worthy of ‘re-telling’ because thousands still remember the great cricketer. Memories of those halcyon days in which Doug played are fading with time. Doug is now 78 years old, although still active and is well-loved by the Australian public. The narrative also explores the story of Australian cricket in this important and enjoyable era (1965-1981), which included the ‘Chappell Era’. A theme well explored is Doug’s role as a crucial part of Chappell’s resurgent Australians.
Through innumerable meetings, Doug’s inputs enrich the narrative and the veracity of the details given. The analyses of different series in which Doug played, with cited references, illuminate Doug’s story and place him correctly among the greatest of Australia’s cricketers. With the enthusiastic inputs from Ian Chappell, the author makes a reasonable effort to place Doug Walters, both as a crucially important batsman and a match-winner for Australia at a time when Australia emerged as the most dominant team in the world (the 1970s decade). The narrative is sprinkled with the author’s viewpoints as a cricket lover. Although some are personal opinions and perspectives on cricket, they are well discussed and justified with abundant notes, a bibliography and cited references.
