The Dulux Cricket Show was a half-hour package directed by the Late John Barton and produced by the ever green Lenin Indika.
I was fortunate to host the show , nostalgic memories not only of popularity of the show , but importantly, the fan Club response on a weekly basis will linger in my heart to infinity
I was lucky I got not only the best in the world for one on one interviews , but I learnt so much from past and present cricketing personalities , also from world-renowned television personalities, the art of being an eye catching host behind the camera.
My memory of the first ever challenge I faced was to host one of the greatest voices of Channel 9 ,Australia, former Captain of England , non other than Tony Greig.
Jhon Barton is a cover of Sir Geoffry Boycott. If ever you get a call from Barton , he never greets you with a Hello or a good morning, mate , but comes straight to the point.
He simply told me , “Brian Chairman Raja Mahendran wants you to interview Tony Greigh on the Dulux Cricket Show for this week’s episode. The company has spent lots of money as guest fees , so make sure you do a sterling job.
‘Brian asks, and Tony talks’
MTV and Sirasa Tv did excessive promotions and tagged it as ” Brian asks, and Tony talks.” Commercial advertising was done practically every half hour for 7 days.
I was excited about the opportunity but worried immensely in hosting the big icon . What subject am I going to discuss with this world figure . I had sleepless nights , and my colleagues noticed that I had lost my usual chirpy mood. They kept inquiring whilst I kept avoiding it because I was too shy to tell them that even my job was at stake if I made an ash of the Tony talks show.
The great day came. Tony was staying with the rest of the host broadcaster crew at the Cinomon Grand Hotel.
My crew and I got to the location 2 hours ahead of recording time to set up camera’s , lighting. and the audio balance. We wanted a flawless production up to international broadcasting standards since the talk show was under a mega sponsorship.
Tony Greig was spot on for the recording at 11 am. He sported his straw hat , sat down, looked into my eyes, and said what are we talking about ?””” I was tongue tied but managed to utter a comparrison of Satchin Tendulkar and Aravinda de Silva. He promptly said, “What about them ? Also asked what Cricket I had played . I was stuck by lightning, I knew at that time what it is to be on an international stage
I just said a prayer, as my producer gave the usual countdown for the introduction of Tony talks.
Upto now, I don’t know how I got my voice in full flow , where I got the words , I had Tony in my pocket , it was the divine intervention
I said, looking at the camera : if you were to take pole and ask the Cricketing world about great all rounders of yesteryear ,Tony Greig is right up there. Born in South Africa, captained England. Now domiciled in Australia , he was a nippy bowler , and menace with the willow, a never say die type of player , who shines when chips are down. Today the greatest man on television. Easy on the eye. Soothing to the ear , ladies and gentlemen, this is Tony Greig who many would love to emulate.
Tony was tongue tide , I noticed the emotion on his face , thanked me profusely for the introduction , and said its a pleasure to be on the show.
We spoke of the inborn talent , of Satchin and Aravinda, he stated their impeccable technique, foot work , the strength they have in playing the ball late , and said , that many bowlers felt , that Aravinda was more difficult to bowl at when on full flow. He added its an inborn talent that both possess , and to emulate them you need extra skill levels.
He spoke about Murali and the unfair call by Darrel Hair and Ross Emerson, stated that Wasim Akram , and Chaminda Vass , are very deceptive. Unless otherwise if a batter was technically sound facing them will be a herculean task.
The interview was conducted, and I got the accolade from the management of MTV and our sponsors, and this show with Tony will remain in my heart for ever.
Tony is no more , but the insight he gave us on and off the field as one of greatest personalities on camera and his voice will linger in our lives for ever.