Lionel Fernando, one of the finest products of St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena and one of the finest all-rounders of the pre-Test era, passed away in Australia recently, aged 86.

He was a cricketer who represented the National Cricket Team of Ceylon in the 1960s.

He captained St. Benedict’s College in 1959 and his name is recorded in ‘The Guinness Book of Records’ and the ‘Wisden’ – the cricketing Bible – for his double feat against his former school St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala, for bagging 10 wickets of the Annites and scoring a double-century on the same day.

An outstanding batsman and slip fielder, Fernando debuted for Ceylon in 1965 against Mike Smith’s MCC team and toured Pakistan in 1966. 

His career highlight came in 1967 at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo, where he scored 48 and an unbeaten 72 against a formidable West Indian attack led by Sir Garry Sobers. 

After a stint in English league cricket and coaching at the Sri Lanka Cricket Foundation, he migrated to Australia in 1984 and played cricket over there too. 

Recognised as a stalwart of the pre-Test era, Fernando was one of 49 players later honoured by Sri Lanka Cricket for his distinguished service to the sport.

He hailed from a sporting family. Mervyn, his brother who pre-deceased him, was a good cricketer too. His other brothers Benildus and Damian were also good soccer players and cricketers.

May the turf lie softly on him!