STEVEN CHARLIE AND MICHAEL - BROTHERS IN ARMS
When I was mandated to write an article on the Joseph Brothers I immediately went on the back foot! Pondering the subject in my mind I realized that as much as I knew the famous Joseph Brothers like many of my contemporaries in College, I had a lot to learn about the trail of sporting glory they blazed like the proverbial collossus, on the playing fields during their schooldays. Of course I was familiar with Charlie's stellar feats on the green turf as I was, with those of Steven's and Michael's. But there was much I did not know such as, a lot of in depth detail necessary to give credit and do justice to the Joseph Brothers in an article.
So I decided to play some defensive strokes and enlist the aid of two former cricketers Tilak Pananwala and Frankie Amerasinghe, to help me notch up a big score!
Frankie sent me some details and in a short time the "information" which I received from Tilak meant that I only had to keep my end up and not lose my wicket, while he went for the runs. In cricketing glossary, it simply means that Tilak notched up a superb century - verbally - with the well researched article he sent me which was full of information on the sporting careers of Steven, Charlie, and Michael, sufficient to fire up any sporting enthusiast. He saved my bacon, and there was no need to even attempt writing one.
His article is reproduced here in his usual flowing style and is a tribute to a fabulous sporting trio who entertained spectators with their talents and made the world a better place for us. As they "take the field" in this article, please give them a resounding round of applause - I give you, The Joseph Brothers !
THE JOSEPH BROTHERS
By Group Capt. (Retd.) Tilak Pananwala.
During the 1950's there were several sets of brothers at St. Anthony's College, like the Josephs, (Steven, Charlie and Michael) the Doranegama's, (Upali, Saliya, and Ranjit) the Premaratnes, (Wijepala, Samson, Buncho, and Totti) and the Fernando's, (Raymond, Guy, Nihal, Ian, and Robin) who were prominent in sports. But the most outstanding were the Joseph Brothers.
All three were hostellers and members of The Double Blue House. They were tall, well built with well rounded physiques and blessed with inborn skills at ball games. Thus they excelled at any game they chose. But each of them had another special asset which endeared them to everybody who enjoyed the pleasure of their company, and that was humility. (Sportsmen of today please take note!!). Their behaviour was exemplary. They had a strong code of ethics, were extremely courteous, unassuming, and never lost sight of the human element. These virtues made them gentlemen par excellence.
STEVEN
Steven who was the eldest represented college in cricket, athletics and cadeting. In cricket he formed a formidable "New Ball Partnership" with Adrian Berenger. Adrian had a classic bowling action while Steven had an intimidating run up with high knees and a rhythmic pumping of the right hand. He made the ball rear up from a good length making it very difficult for batsmen to cope! This pairs finest performance was against St.Josephs college at Darley Road in 1956 when they skittled the Josephians out for 51. The next day the sports section of the "Ceylon Daily News" carried the following headline " BERENGER AND JOSEPH BOWL WITH VENOM - JOES ALL OUT FOR 51 !" Both were good batsmen too and Steven opened the innings in 1955 in the match against St.Peters. He fared even better in athletics and was one of the finest athletes produced by St.Anthonys.
In an era of several outstanding athletes like R.A.F.Perera, (100m and 200m) Ranjith Samarasekera, (Javelin) Jeeva Weerasinghe, ( 100m Long Jump) Lesley Jayabandhu, (400m) W.B.Rajaguru, (800m) A.H.B.Rajaguru, (800m) Ivan Boteju, 200m and 400 m) and Edmund Cooray, (100m and 200m) Steven was the best, winning the 100 and 200 metres at the Central province Schools Meet where St.Anthony's annually swept the board.
At the Public Schools Meet in Colombo he came second in the 100 m being pipped at the tape by Samuel of Wesley college. He went on to represent Ceylon at these events and won the 100 m in India at an international meet. His tall frame was an advantage at the High Jump and he had a close battle with Ranjit Samarasekera at the College Annual Sports Meet before winning the event. Apart from cricket and athletics, Steven was a senior cadet, a Prefect and a member of the college choir.
CHARLIE
Charlie excelled at cricket from a very young age and represented college from 1956 - 1961. He captained the side in 1959 and 1960 and won the coveted trophy for "The Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year" Award in both years. Charlie possessed a superb text book batting technique and was by far the best batsman in schools during these years.
He scored centuries against all the schools he played. Some of the finest were against St.Peter's at Bambalapitiya, St.Benedicts at Kotahena, and Trinity and Dharmarajah at Katugastota. But perhaps two of his greatest mini innings were two which were below 100. One was against Ananda college at Campbell Place in 1957 when he was just 16 years old.
St. Anthonys were in a bad way tottering on 104 for 7 when Charlie and a little known Heen Banda rose like the Phoenix from the ashes salvaging a partnership, which took the total to 210. He was unbeaten on 80 when the innings ended.
Quoting an extract from the College Magazine of the time, Afzal Laphir states " Charlie Joseph then sizing up the situation pinned his faith on aggression and took the bowling apart with a superb 80....." When Ananda batted it was their turn to collapse and they were 45 for 7 at the close of play. However the next day they staged a recovery and managed to force a draw.
His other great 'mini innings' was the 73 he scored against St.Joseph's at Darley Road in 1960. St.Joseph's had one of the best opening bowling attacks with Peter Liyanage and Ranjit Malawana and the famed spin duo of Priya Perera (off spin) and Raja de Silva (leg spin) taking over with the old ball. We managed only 135 runs out of which Charlie scored 73, 55% of the total. Running out of partners he lashed out and was caught at the boundary by a superb catch taken by Victor Wickremasinghe. Had the latter missed, it was a sure six !
In his first year in 1956 the team was labelled "The Anthonian Batting Machine" by the Press and comprised batsmen of the calibre of W.Premaratne, Ranjit Doranegama, Anton Rambukpotha, Srilal Seneviratne, Ranjit Samarasekera, and Thirunavakarasu. Charlie batted down the order and never had the chance of batting for long. But he did very well as an off spinner. If Ceylon had test status, Charlie would have been an automatic choice. Apart from cricket he was a member of the pioneering rugger team started by Reverend Brother Macky, and also represented college in Athletics. At the Central Province Schools Group Meet held in Asgiriya, he was a member of the winning U19 4 x 100 relay team in record setting time. As mentioned, Charlie would have excelled in any chosen ball game being blessed with inborn skills. He also played football tennis and basketball with equal skill. Charlie was also the Head Prefect in 1960 and was much admired by his fellow students, the staff, old boys and well wishers.
MICHAEL
Like his brothers, Michael had a natural skill for ball games and excelled in cricket. He scored a glorious century in a partnership with Charlie against Dharmarajah college in 1961 when the chips were down. At this particular stage of the game we were in dire straits not just facing a freight train coming in the opposite direction, but facing a bullet train !! The wonder of this century is that he scored it before he had scored a half century in any of the previous matches. But this was a harbinger of things to come.
Michael made many more big scores including a scintillating 81 against a strong Royal attack in 1962. Later he also became a good medium fast bowler and had an outstanding big match performance against Trinity in 1963 when he captained the team. In that match he had a haul of 5 wickets for 67 runs. Trinity were on the verge of defeat at Asgiriya when a sudden downpour came to their aid snatching them from the jaws of defeat. It seemed the weather Gods favoured Trinity whenever the "Big Match" was played at Asgiriya because they were also saved from defeat in 1952 when the heavens opened up ! Michael also represented college in rugger and was a Senior Prefect.
St. Anthonys was blessed with outstanding cricketers in the latter half of the 50's. But it is very sad to state that among them, Ranjit Doranegama, (Captain in 1957) Anton Rambukpotha,(Vice Captain in 1957) Srilal Seneviratne, (Captain in 1958) Charlie Joseph, (Captain in 1959 and 1960) and Thirunavakarusu, all passed away at a comparatively young age, under 50 years. And we who are left to grieve, will always be grateful for the privilege of having witnessed their stellar achievements if only for a short period. We are thankful for the gifts given to us. Their memories are enshrined forever in the annals of our Alma Mater.
EPILOGUE
It is apparent the Joseph Brothers believed that the only way to succeed was by force of will, sheer perseverance and self discipline. And if this is joined by a dose of simplicity and humility, any sportsman can become an excellent sportsman. All these traits were part of their DNA, specially humility. If there is no humility, all is lost in the great game of life, no matter what success one achieves on the playing field. Apart from their individual achievements, they were a great inspiration and a classic example to sportsmen of a younger generation. On and off the field they always played a straight bat.
Having known Charlie closely specially during my senior years in "The Journeys End" it was his gentle nature and quiet demeanour which endeared him to others. In an age when sportsmen today are described as "Legends", "Iconic," "Heroes," and other misplaced adjectives for the slightest achievement, Charlie just by the way he conducted himself towers way up above all the rest. On a personal note, looking at his photo in my autograph even today is very hard, twenty three years after he left us far too early. Grief starts to become indulgent, is painful, and does not serve anyone. But if you transform it into remembrance you are magnifying the person you lost - and also giving something of that person to others.
To complement Tilak's tribute, I conclude with the following verse:
"Say not in grief that he is no more, but say with gratitude that he WAS. Death is not the extinguishing of a light, but putting out the lamp before the awakening of dawn".
