Doug Walters Archives

Doug Walters: Dairy farmer’s son goes the Milky Way-BY DR. NIMAL CHANDRASENA Doug Walters Source:Sundayobserver My first-ever cricket picture scrapbook shows that my collection began on March 8, 1965. The scribbling of the date, made with a child’s unsteady hand, still reminds me of those halcyon days. As a little lad, I listened to cricket broadcasts. “This is Radio Australia, transmitting the overseas service of the ABC, bringing you ball-by-ball commentaries of the first Test between England and Australia, from Brisbane…You are listening to Alan McGilvray.” In the year 1965, my first cricketing hero arrived on the scene. He was Kevin Douglas Walters. He was 11 days short of his 20th birthday when he was rushed into the Australian Test team to face the touring Englishmen under Mike Smith. Smith’s team had visited Colombo on their way down under and I followed their travails closely. ...

Murderous bowling of Jeff Thompson against Sri Lanka in the First World Cup series match between Australia and Sri Lanka at the Oval in June 1975 ” 6.48 minutes into the video you see me getting hit. I took 6 blows from him on my body. Still he didn’t get me out. Retired hurt at 53. Next to me is Duleep getting hit on the head” – “Sunil Wettimuny” …………… How Sri Lanka showed grit and displayed a ‘never say die’ attitude against the murderous bowling of Jeff Thompson and Dennis Lillie in the First ICC World Cup series match between Australia and Sri Lanka played at the Oval in June 1975. The defiant and gallant batting of Sunil Wettimuny who scored a heroic 53 (retired hurt), Duleep Mendis, Ranjit Fernando, Bandula Warnapura, Anura Tennekoon, and Michael Tissera earned for them and Sri Lanka a place at the High ...