Former Antonian cricketer Meryl no more

1973 Anton outfit thrid from right Meryl Dunuwile 

By Shamseer Jaleel

Former Antonian cricketer Meryl Dunuwille passed away recently in the USA of illness at the age of 66.

One of the best products to come out of the Katugastota outfit, Meryl was the wicket keeper and opening left handed batsman, who played from 1970 to 1973. 

He scored a cracking century at the newly laid turf at Katugastota in 1970, which was his debut year at XI cricket for his alma mater. During his school career he scored two brilliant centuries against St Peter’s and Trinity in their Big Match encounters. 

Meryl later on went onto play for Central Province, Kandy CC, BRC and Saracens. He also represented the Central province team against the visiting Aussie outfit in 1972. During 1988 to 1990 he coached Trinity which were under Channa Fernando (1988), Dudeepa Ratwatte (1989) and Suren Jayasinghe (1990).

Daily FT spoke to 1981 Big Match winning Antonian skipper, Fazal Majeed, who said “Meryl was easily one of the best Antonian Batsman of the decade 1970-80. I won’t be wrong if I say he was even the Best Antonian batsman of that decade.”  “His passion for the game was huge. He coached me while I was playing Under 17 and I found his knowledge of the game to be immense. We had a lot of respect for him as a cricketer and a coach. He was more of a friend at times than our coach.” 

Fazal further said “Dunuwille’s left his mark on the game during 1970-1980. Anura his brother was easily the most stylish batsman I came across during my school career and his other brother Pradeep was a flamboyant batsman who played for our rivals; Trinity.”