MAHESH GOONATILLEKE - AN ANTONIAN PAR EXCELLENCE

Typically, batsmen, bowlers, or all-rounders are selected based on their skills in batting, bowling, or both. However, it is rare for a wicketkeeper to gain recognition solely for their keeping abilities. One notable exception was old Antonian, Mahesh Goonatileke, who earned a place in the Sri Lankan inaugural Test team primarily for his exceptional work behind the stumps. He is widely regarded as the greatest Test wicketkeeper Sri Lanka has ever produced. However, his international career was cut short before he could truly make his mark, depriving the nation of an extraordinary talent.

Mahesh was an excellent batsman too, but his name became synonymous with wicketkeeping from the moment he debuted for St. Anthony’s College Kandy First XI in 1968, finishing the season with 27 dismissals. Gifted with lightning-fast reflexes and the grace of a ballet dancer, Mahes was equally adept against pace and spin and never felt the need to dive around like many modern wicketkeepers. He had a reputation from his school days for keeping opposition batsmen anchored to their crease, too wary to take a step forward against spinners.

His First XI career at SACK spanned from 1968 to 1971, culminating in the honour of captaining the college in his final year. Primarily an opening batsman, he began his school cricket journey with a composed innings of 82 against Nalanda in 1968. His batting flourished in 1970, with notable performances including 93 against Dharmaraja, 99 against St. Peter’s, and scores of 45 and 76 against Trinity at Katugastota. However, he saved his best for his final season.

In 1971, as captain, Mahesh became the only outstation schoolboy cricketer to surpass 1,000 runs in the season. His standout performances included an unbeaten 150 against Dharmaraja, 83 against St. Sylvester’s, 77 against Royal, 83 against Kingswood, 88 against Nalanda, 60 against St. Peter’s, and twin half-centuries (61 and 60*) against Trinity at Asgiriya.

Mahesh during his prime at St Anthony’s College Kandy

Mahesh was one of those special students who was able to seamlessly balance academics and sports. Throughout his school years, he consistently earned the General Proficiency prize in nearly every grade, along with numerous other accolades. In 1971, he was honoured with the prestigious Bede Gold Medal for the Best All-Round Student, the Paul Raj Memorial Gold Medal for Courtesy, and the Father Macky Memorial Award, recognizing the sportsman whose performance and conduct—both on and off the field—brought the most credit to the school. Following his outstanding school career, Mahesh pursued a Science degree at the University of Peradeniya and continued his cricket career by representing the Combined Universities.

In February 1982, Mahesh became the first Antonian to play Test cricket when he kept wickets for Sri Lanka in their inaugural Test match against England at the P. Sara Stadium. Batting at No. 10, he scored an unbeaten 22 in his debut innings, facing the second new ball against Bob Willis and Ian Botham, and remained not out in the second innings as well. His first dismissal behind the stumps was David Gower, and his first stumping came against Chris Tavare.

Unfortunately, Mahesh's international career was short-lived. He played only four more Tests and six One-Day Internationals before a decision to tour South Africa in 1982–83 led to an overnight end to his career. His final Test appearance was against India in Chennai in September 1982, where he opened the batting in the first innings but was slotted at No. 10 in the second. His best innings—and his only half-century—came against Pakistan in Faisalabad, where he opened the batting alongside Sidath Wettimuny. In total, he played just 26 first-class matches.

Upon returning from the controversial tour, Sri Lankan players faced a lifetime ban from the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, making it difficult for many to revive their domestic careers or secure employment. However, Mahesh, a university graduate, had no such struggles. He found work in a garment factory near Kurunegala and settled into a new chapter of his life beyond cricket.

In his later years, Mahesh dedicated himself to nurturing future talent. At the invitation of his national captain, Bandula Warnapura, he conducted coaching clinics during Warnapura’s eight-year tenure as Sri Lanka Cricket's director of operations. There, he mentored players such as Romesh Kaluwitharana, Kumar Sangakkara, and Prasanna Jayawardene, whom he regarded as Sri Lanka's finest wicketkeeper in recent times.

In 2007, Mahesh became a member of Sri Lanka's cricket selection panel, serving with distinction for a few years.

Mahesh at his home in Kegalle in 2013, signing a special bat for a charity event on behalf of OBA Australia.