Bens felicitate cricket record holder Lionel Fernando

Wednesday, 15 January 2025 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Lionel Fernando (left) with Head of St. Benedict’s College Rev. Bro. Pubudu Rajapakse during

felicitation ceremony

Former Cricket Captain of St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena and Ceylon cricketer from 1964-71 Lionel Fernando was felicitated by his alma mater at a function held at the school premises in acknowledgement of his monumental feat of scoring a double century and taking all 10 wickets in an innings including a hat-trick all in a day’s play.

Fernando aged 85 who resides in Melbourne, Australia was on a short holiday in Sri Lanka and the school took the opportunity to honour this famous son of the soil.

Fernando achieved this unique feat when he captained St. Benedict’s College in 1959. In the match against St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala where he received his early education, Fernando dismissed the opposition for 50 taking all 10 wickets for 24, including a hat-trick and followed it up with a double century in 157 minutes, all in a day’s play. The feat of taking all 10 wickets and scoring a double-century in the same match is believed to be unique in world cricket.

While his bowling fell away Fernando progressed as a batsman and slip fielder and went onto represent Ceylon with distinction, the highlight being scoring 48 and 72* against a strong West Indies side in 1967 in an unofficial test. He also played league cricket in England in the seventies before migrating to Australia with his family in 1984. He was one of 49 former Sri Lankan cricketers felicitated by Sri Lanka Cricket honouring them for their services to the country prior to gaining ICC Test status.

“We had a nice time,” said Lionel, who spends most of his time in Australia watching cricket on television. “You can’t beat Australia, it’s a wonderful country.”

“I follow Sri Lanka cricket but sad to say the standard has dropped especially in the batting. I think they don’t train hard enough.”

Referring to his unique batting and bowling performance Lionel said, “I don’t think it will be broken.”