Tribute to cricket stalwart Thalaath Ismail

Thalaath Ismail, a former cricket captain of Saracens Sports Club and Patron of the Club who passed away in the UK recently after a brief illness at the age of 88 was a versatile cricketer who played for St Joseph’s College in the early fifties in the company of reputed cricketers as Rienzie Perera, Ken Serpanchy, Roy Perera and Maurice Wanigaratne.

Ismail played for Saracens SC under the captaincy of Arnold Adihetty both in the Daily News trophy and Sara trophy tournaments in the mid-fifties. With James Perera, Ismail put on a record 263-run partnership for the second wicket against Colombo University in a Sara trophy match played at the University grounds. He later went on to captain Saracens SC in 1962 and again from 1964-65. He also functioned as a Vice President of the Club for several years 

Ismail was part of the winning Saracens SC teams in the Observer trophy and the Donovan Andree trophy in the company of A.C.M. Lafir (captain), TB Kehelgamuwa and Roy Perera to name a few. His contribution to Saracens SC cricket was immense and was a live wire at the Club until his sad demise. Even as late as last year he was at the grounds during the Major Club matches to witness Saracens SC play. Such was his attachment to the game he played and loved.

Saracens SC President Nuski Mohamed paying a tribute to Ismail said, “He is a great loss to our community and a wonderful senior member of the family to interact with. He has been constantly in touch with me both in relation to cricket and a wide array of matters of mutual interest and his sudden demise came as a shock.” 

Ismail’s funeral took place at Harrow Weald Cemetery, UK on 21 April amongst a gathering of friends and relatives.