Brendon Kuruppu
Encyclopedia
Don Sardha Brendon Priyantha Kuruppu (5 January 1962) is a former Sri Lankan
wicket-keeper
and opening batsman. He was often used in ODIs, as he played 54 from 1983 to 1990, but his Test career was largely unremarkable but for one productive innings in Colombo
.
in England, where he hit two sixes and seven fours in what was to be a career-best 72 against Pakistan
. Sri Lanka lost by 50 runs, and his next three matches were disappointing, as the team lost all three and he failed to pass 30. However, at Derby against New Zealand
he found form again with 62, anchoring a chase towards 182 as Sri Lanka won by three wickets - their only win in the tournament.
Kuruppu was in and out of the ODI team following the successful World Cup, but didn't play as a regular wicket-keeper until 1986, when he got his chance in the Asia Cup tournament against Pakistan
and Bangladesh
, which Sri Lanka won. He made a string of low scores, but neverhteless made an impression.
The next winter, Kuruppu got his Test
debut against New Zealand
at Colombo Cricket Club Ground
, he was called up in place of Guy de Alwis
, whose continued failings with the bat had given the selectors some thought. In a match frequently interrupted by rain, and against such accomplished bowlers as Richard Hadlee
and Ewen Chatfield
, Kuruppu made his maiden first-class century on the second day. Sidath Wettimuny
held the Sri Lankan record for the highest Test
individual innings, after scoring 190 against England
in 1984
, Kuruppu, however, passed that score by 11 runs, making 201 not out in 777 minutes to become the first Sri Lankan to hit a double Test century. Six men have later repeated his feat. Kuruppu has played the fewest Tests of any double centurion.
The two teams agreed to cancel the rest of the series owing to security fears, following a bomb blast near the New Zealand team's hotel. However, the double century cemented his place in the selectors' minds, and by the end of the three-team World Series tournament in January 1988, he was a regular fixture in the ODI side. However, he failed to back that up with the bat, and after a disastrous Nehru Cup in October 1989, where he strung together 36 runs in five innings and Sri Lanka finished last out of the sixth teams, Kuruppu was shuffled out of the team and Hashan Tillakaratne
took his place behind the stumps. He was given one last chance as opener in 1991 when Sri Lanka travelled to England for a Test, but Sri Lanka lost by 137 runs and Kuruppu only made scores of 5 and 21. That was his last international game, but Kuruppu went on to work within Sri Lankan cricket, and he was made interim team manager for the tours of Pakistan and New Zealand in the late months of 2004.
Kuruppu is the current coach of the Maldives national cricket team.
Sri Lankan cricket team
The Sri Lankan cricket team is the national cricket team of Sri Lanka. The team first played international cricket in 1926–27, and were later awarded Test status in 1981, which made Sri Lanka the eighth Test cricket playing nation...
wicket-keeper
Wicket-keeper
The wicket-keeper in the sport of cricket is the player on the fielding side who stands behind the wicket or stumps being guarded by the batsman currently on strike...
and opening batsman. He was often used in ODIs, as he played 54 from 1983 to 1990, but his Test career was largely unremarkable but for one productive innings in Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
.
Early life
Kuruppu was born in Colombo in January 1962, and played club cricket for Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic and Burgher Recreation Clubs.International career
His international career started at the 1983 World Cup1983 Cricket World Cup
The 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup was the third edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament. It was held from 9 June to 25 June 1983 in England and was won by India. Eight countries participated in the event. The preliminary matches were played in two groups of four teams each, and each...
in England, where he hit two sixes and seven fours in what was to be a career-best 72 against Pakistan
Pakistani cricket team
The Pakistan cricket team is the national cricket team of Pakistan. Pakistan, represented by the Pakistan Cricket Board , is a full member of the International Cricket Council, and thus participates in , and cricket matches....
. Sri Lanka lost by 50 runs, and his next three matches were disappointing, as the team lost all three and he failed to pass 30. However, at Derby against New Zealand
New Zealand cricket team
The New Zealand cricket team, nicknamed the Black Caps, are the national cricket team representing New Zealand. They played their first in 1930 against England in Christchurch, New Zealand, becoming the fifth country to play Test cricket. It took the team until 1955–56 to win a Test, against the...
he found form again with 62, anchoring a chase towards 182 as Sri Lanka won by three wickets - their only win in the tournament.
Kuruppu was in and out of the ODI team following the successful World Cup, but didn't play as a regular wicket-keeper until 1986, when he got his chance in the Asia Cup tournament against Pakistan
Pakistani cricket team
The Pakistan cricket team is the national cricket team of Pakistan. Pakistan, represented by the Pakistan Cricket Board , is a full member of the International Cricket Council, and thus participates in , and cricket matches....
and Bangladesh
Bangladeshi cricket team
The Bangladesh national cricket team is a national cricket team representing Bangladesh. The team is administered by the Bangladesh Cricket Board . Bangladesh is a full member of the International Cricket Council with Test and One Day International status...
, which Sri Lanka won. He made a string of low scores, but neverhteless made an impression.
The next winter, Kuruppu got his Test
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
debut against New Zealand
New Zealand cricket team
The New Zealand cricket team, nicknamed the Black Caps, are the national cricket team representing New Zealand. They played their first in 1930 against England in Christchurch, New Zealand, becoming the fifth country to play Test cricket. It took the team until 1955–56 to win a Test, against the...
at Colombo Cricket Club Ground
Colombo Cricket Club Ground
Colombo Cricket Club Ground is a multi-purpose stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is currently used mostly for domestic first-class cricket matches and for hosting warm up matches for touring teams. The stadium can hold 6,000 people and hosted its first Test match in 1984. It is one of the smallest...
, he was called up in place of Guy de Alwis
Guy de Alwis
Ronald Guy de Alwis is a former Sri Lankan cricketer who played in 11 Tests and 31 ODIs from 1983 to 1988....
, whose continued failings with the bat had given the selectors some thought. In a match frequently interrupted by rain, and against such accomplished bowlers as Richard Hadlee
Richard Hadlee
Sir Richard John Hadlee, MBE is a former New Zealand cricketer who played provincial cricket for Canterbury, Nottinghamshire and Tasmania. He is the son of Walter Hadlee, and the brother of Dayle and Barry Hadlee. His former wife Karen also played international cricket for New Zealand.Hadlee was...
and Ewen Chatfield
Ewen Chatfield
Ewen John Chatfield is a former cricketer who played 43 Tests and 114 One Day Internationals for New Zealand. A medium-pace bowler, his chief weapon was his accuracy, giving him economical bowling figures, although he occasionally would come in for punishment in the late stages of limited overs...
, Kuruppu made his maiden first-class century on the second day. Sidath Wettimuny
Sidath Wettimuny
Sidath Wettimuny is a former Sri Lankan cricketer, who played Test cricket and One Day Internationals as an opening batsman from 1982 to 1987...
held the Sri Lankan record for the highest Test
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
individual innings, after scoring 190 against England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
in 1984
1984 English cricket season
The 1984 English cricket season saw a continued dominance by the best-ever Essex team who won a second successive County Championship and also won the Sunday League.-Honours:*County Championship - Essex*NatWest Trophy - Middlesex...
, Kuruppu, however, passed that score by 11 runs, making 201 not out in 777 minutes to become the first Sri Lankan to hit a double Test century. Six men have later repeated his feat. Kuruppu has played the fewest Tests of any double centurion.
The two teams agreed to cancel the rest of the series owing to security fears, following a bomb blast near the New Zealand team's hotel. However, the double century cemented his place in the selectors' minds, and by the end of the three-team World Series tournament in January 1988, he was a regular fixture in the ODI side. However, he failed to back that up with the bat, and after a disastrous Nehru Cup in October 1989, where he strung together 36 runs in five innings and Sri Lanka finished last out of the sixth teams, Kuruppu was shuffled out of the team and Hashan Tillakaratne
Hashan Tillakaratne
Hashan Prasantha Tillakaratne is a Sri Lankan cricketer and a politician.-Cricket career:As a schoolboy in 1986, he was selected to play against England B at Galle, scoring a century to save the match. He played in his first One Day International in November 1986, and emerged into the Sri Lankan...
took his place behind the stumps. He was given one last chance as opener in 1991 when Sri Lanka travelled to England for a Test, but Sri Lanka lost by 137 runs and Kuruppu only made scores of 5 and 21. That was his last international game, but Kuruppu went on to work within Sri Lankan cricket, and he was made interim team manager for the tours of Pakistan and New Zealand in the late months of 2004.
Kuruppu is the current coach of the Maldives national cricket team.
External links
- Ananda-NalandaAnanda-NalandaAnanda - Nalanda is a cricket match played between Ananda College Colombo, and Nalanda College Colombo. It was first played in 1924. Over the years both schools has produced many world famous cricketers....