Uncle's phone call does trick for Warnapura

Mumbai: A phone call from Lankan opener Malinda Warnapura’s uncle Bandula from Malaysia on the opening day of the on-going first Test match against India helped the youngster to reach his Test century at the Sinhalese Sports Club Grounds on Thursday.

"Bandula, the first Sri Lankan Test captain advised Malinda over phone to get the maximum he can and cement his place in the side. This is your best opportunity. The wicket is a batting paradise and India has only two pace bowlers. Just relax and stay focused," were Bandula’s advice to his nephew according to Malinda’s father Upali Warnapura in Mid-Day on Friday.

Bandula, who was Sri Lanka’s first Test captain was banned for leading a rebel team to Sri Lanka after playing in just four Tests, is based in Malaysia where he is an Asian Cricket Council cricket development officer.

"The whole of Warnapura clan was brimming with joy when Bandula walked out in a blazer for the toss in that inaugural Test against Keith Fletcher’s England team in 1981-82 at the Oval (Saravanamattu Stadium),” Malinda’s father said.

"The joy was short lived as Bandula joined the rebel tour without anybodies knowledge. I don’t know when he took the decision to join the rebel tour. We only came to know about it after the tickets arrived for South Africa. At that time we were not aware of the repercussions. The enormity only sunk in when they were banned for life. They were not allowed to have anything to do with Sri Lankan cricket thereafter," recalled the senior Warnapura.

However, with the younger Warnapura getting to his hundred on Thursday, the family rejoiced and Bandula’s advice was taken seriously by his nephew.

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