Hard hitting 29-year old BRC all-rounder Andy Solomons still harbours hope for national call-up even though age may not be on his side.

Solomons is a versatile middle-order right-hand bat and right-arm fast medium bowler. He is best known for his fast-paced scoring one of his best being 166 in 158 balls vs Police.  His Andy Solomonsbowling is not far behind, the best being 4 wickets for just 17 runs against Moors in the 2015/16 season.

Having begun his cricketing journey St. Thomas’ College Kotte, he says “I started at 11 years and at the beginning I was clueless’’. His first coach Mr. Kapila De Silva was his mentor and the person who moulded him to who he is today Solomons claimed with much appreciation.  “The batting, bowling and fielding all changed because of him. He was a coach sent by God; he was the one who totally changed me into what I am today. I am ever-grateful to him”.

The hard hitting batsman played 1st XI for five years from the age of 14 and went on to represent Sri Lanka U19s and even went on to break records at the under 19 level. He recalls with some panache the time he broke his own coach Kapila’s highest score of 240 to set his own of 263 in 191 balls and it took him just one and half sessions. It included 21 fours and 24 sixes.

Solomons had a smooth transition from school cricket to club cricket as he made his first class debut for Colombo Cricket Club (CCC) versus Sebastianites Cricket and Athletic Club way back in the year 2007. The swashbuckling right-hander did not make an immediate impression but came into his own quietly. He faced some tough times at CCC as the all-rounder acquired very little match time in the two year spell.

As they say “rough roads lead to beautiful destinations” for Solomons the destination was BRC.  “After joining BRC that’s where my whole life changed. I performed well, was selected for the SLPL and even went on to win the domestic T20 tournament that was organized by CSN in 2011’’

Andy SolomonsIn addition to the local club circuit, Solomons has had loads of exposure playing overseas. He toured London UK in 2008 playing for Walthamstow Sports Club where he impressed with bat and ball, scoring 1300+ runs and bagging 60 wickets. After his heroics in the UK he next toured Canada in 2011/12, this time around to play for a club named Centurions. His second sojourn to the UK came in 2015/16 when he was engaged to play of a club named Cleveland  North of the UK.

Coming back to the BRC, the club where he found his feet, Solomons says he is looking to re-live the glory days at BRC and get a call up to the National squad. When asked if age will be a hurdle that would stand in front of him he said “If anyone performs well they will select you and you could get a chance, for an example look at Milinda Siriwardena, Jeewan Mendis and Asela Gunaratne. Age was not a barrier. So I need to score some big runs and show the selectors that I deserve it’’

When inquired about which format is his favourite he articulated ‘to be honest I’d rather go for the limited over format, T20 and 50 overs as it suits my style’’. The recently concluded BRC 6’s was a memorable one as his team BRC won the tournament and he was named the man of the final. “First of all it was well organized, well planned and thanks to the sponsors Dialog it was a success. I am happy to return to BRC not only to play but win it. It was a memorable moment’’.

Having toured countries and played professional cricket, we queried him on some the drawbacks of playing outside the country. He spoke forthright of the restrictions and challengers players face adjusting to the conditions. “The weather conditions, climate changes are tough to cope up and in England they play in freezing conditions which cause many injuries. Also do not forget the different types of cricket balls used. In Sri Lanka we use kookaburra but in England they use Dukes which is quite different to adapt to but the players who adopt well are the one who succeed.”

Andy SolomonsFurthermore he added about how difficult it is to leave the family behind when he travels overseas to play “It’s difficult, very difficult to leave the family. Especially the little one, it is tough. But you have to because if you do not get a chance in a season in Lanka you have to go abroad and earn some money”

The BRC-stalwart has set very high standards for himself and he has some personal milestones that he is hoping to achieve on his return to BRC. “This time I am targeting between 800 to 900 runs plus about 20-25 wickets. Hopefully I achieve my target and get into a National squad for next year’’

We were compelled to ask him his future plans and life after cricket. ‘’If I am fit and I have the courage of playing I might play in the UK or Australia. I have not planned on any retirement as yet. And since I have my coaching level 2 as well, it quite easy to go and coach as well’’

As many sportsmen who have persons who have helped them behind the scenes, so did Solomons. “First of all I want to thank god, I’m a big believer in god for giving me the courage to perform. Additionally I would like to thank Kapila De Silva, my first coach at school as it is his efforts that brought me to this position today. My mom, dad and sister for all the support they have given me and the support they continue to give. Not forgetting my wife and her parents for the encouragement and pushing me hard to achieve what I have. And finally my dad who has a dream of watching me play for my country and hopefully I will fulfil it’’

We take this moment to thank him for his time and we wish him all success to achieve his dream of making the national side.