Former Sri Lankan skipper Gamini Goonasena dies at 80: Cricket News Update
The Sri Lankan cricketing kinship lost one of its potent members, the former Sri Lankan Captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746.
For the player’s unfortunate demise, Goonasena’s counterpart and fellow team member, Bertie Wijesinghe, stated "It's a pity that Gamini was lost to Sri Lanka cricket and could not spend time at home to coach and inspire the younger generation with his vast
knowledge of the game. "I've never known a cricketer apart from the late FC de Saram who was so clean about the game. He was an outstanding bowler and his record at Cambridge speaks for itself."
Born on 16 February, 1931, as a notable all-rounder, Goonasena joined the country’s cricketing fraternity in the early 1950s, prior to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in 1950
followed by his international career including successful tours to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760.
In 1956, Goonasena went on to captain the budding Sri Lankan side in an unofficial Test fixture played at the local P Sara Oval where the off-spin guru managed to earn a notable 6 wickets haul.
During 1954 and 1957, Goonesena also represented the Cambridge University cricket team where the Lankan, through an impressive performance, became a notable member of the squad, especially as the first Asian to captain the university in 1957. His landmark
performance for the team came through a massive 211 against the Oxford University. Apart from Cambridge, the player also participated for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nottinghamshire-c826.
On a whole, with a decent goodwill to his name, coupled with a potent cricketing profile, Goonasena participated in 194 first class games, with 5751 runs. While for his bowling numbers, the Lankan captured 674 wickets in as many fixtures.
Upon his official farewell from the sport of cricket, Goonasena was designated as Sri Lanka's representative at the International Cricketing Council. Apart from his ICC’s appointment, Goonasena alse played his part as the national team’s manager as well
as a Test commentator.
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