Ringing of 5-minute bell fits well with Lord's by Bipin Dani

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Ground:	Lord's Cricket Ground, St John's Wood
Scorecard:	England v Sri Lanka
Player:	KC Sangakkara
Event:	Sri Lanka in England and Ireland 2016

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DateLine: 10th June 2016

 

Mumbai, June 10 : Kumar Sangakkara was seen in a full suit when he rang the bell at Lord's on Thursday The ringing of the five-minute bell to notify the start of play at Lord’s on each day of the Test by an international cricketer, administrator or well-known enthusiast of the sport is a tradition, which was first introduced in 2007.

 

"Full suit is the dress code", Sidath Wettimuny, the first Sri Lankan Test cricketer and Kushil Gunesera, the first non-cricketer from Sri Lanka, who rang the bell in 2011,say. Both were present at Lord's on Thursday.

 

"Dress code in Pavilion is jacket and tie etc.", Clare Skinner, the Filming & Photography Manager at Lord's says.

 

Interestingly, Lord's is the only cricket-venue in the world, where this tradition (ringing the bell) is very popular.

 

"I am very proud to have introduced the bell ringing", Keith Bradshaw, who was a CEO then at Lord's, says from Adelaide.

 

Bradshaw is now attached with the South Australia Cricket Association (SACA).

 

"Lord's will always be the home of cricket. If others replicate then I don't feel it will devalue what is done there", he added.

 

"Bell ringing fits well with the Lord's and truly unique to its character", Gunasekera says.

 

"I feel it's original and in tune with such an awesome setting one of a kind".

 

"Look at the MCC tie alone that Kumar wore which is only synonymous with the MCC and its heritage".

 

"Other venues, if they wish to replicate can create or innovate something in line with their own stature", he signed off.

 

"It felt very special to be invited to participate in this tradition, and certainly felt privileged to do so in the presence of so many great players", Wettimuny said.

 

"My wife was with me at the game (then). I certainly was a proud Sri Lankan at that moment", he concluded.

 

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
Copyright © 2016 Bipin Dani)