March 20, 2016, is a date Footscray United all-rounder Geeth Silva will never forget.
Not only was he part of United’s premiership-winning team on that day, but it also ushered in the arrival of his first-born child.
“It was the best day of my life,” he told Star Weekly. “I got two presents in the same day: the baby and the premiership.”
It turned into one of the longest days in Silva’s life.
Silva was supposed to continue batting for United on day four of the Victorian Turf Cricket west A1 grand final win over Altona Roosters.
He was 31 not out and the United was hoping he could push on and make a big score for it to defend.
At 4am on the Sunday, Silva’s wife, Madushi, got her first labour pains.
At 1.30pm, baby girl Richelle was born.
After the successful delivery, Silva was given permission by his wife to re-join his United teammates.
Madushi knows how important cricket is to her husband and she had supported him the previous three days of the grand final.
“When I got to the cricket ground, they all cheered, they were all clapping me,” Silva said.
“They were happy for me. It was an exciting day.”
Silva not only got to experience the birth of his child, but got to play in the dying stages of the grand final.
He even took a catch while his fellow Sri Lankan, Rasika Fernando, was bowling up a storm in the second innings with 8-37 off 17 overs to make it 11 wickets for the match.
“It was great to bring a premiership to the club,” Silva said.
“It’s my sixth year playing for Footscray United and now I’ve got two premierships.”
Silva, an import player for United, loves returning each summer and after six years he calls United his home club, even though he lives so far away.
Silva was relatively quiet with the bat this season, making 226 runs at 20.
But his finals series will long be remembered, after his 67 in the semi-final against Werribee Centrals and the now-famous ‘31 retired’ in the second innings of the final.
But Silva was brilliant with the ball all season, taking 27 wickets at 19, including four in the semi-final.
The 31-year-old can now sit back and take it all in after a whirlwind week.
“The baby is very healthy and my wife is also very healthy,” Silva said. “Happy now, I’ll just enjoy it. I’ve also got a flag.”
