About Ben Navaratne
Lived 1916 – 1979 (aged 62–63). Ben Navaratne was a cricketer.
Benedict Navaratne (1916 – 9 June 1979) was a cricketer who kept wicket for Ceylon in first-class cricket from 1940 to 1952.
He toured with the Ceylon team to India in 1940-41 and Pakistan in 1949-50. He had a reputation for standing up to the stumps to all but the fastest bowlers. His obituary in the 1980 Wisden, shortly before Sri Lanka achieved Test status, called him "Sri Lanka's greatest wicket-keeper".
Playing in a one-day match against the touring Australian team in early 1948, Navaratne's keeping earned high praise from the visitors. Sir Donald Bradman is reported to have said that he would like to have Navaratne in his team.
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Important facts
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Ben Navaratne?
cricketer (1916-1979)
When was Ben Navaratne born?
Ben Navaratne was born in 1916 in Sri Lanka.
When did Ben Navaratne die?
Ben Navaratne died on 9 June 1979 in Kandy.
What was Ben Navaratne's occupation?
Ben Navaratne was a cricketer.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ben Navaratne. https://biography.guide/ben-navaratne/
MLA: "Ben Navaratne." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ben-navaratne/.
Chicago: "Ben Navaratne." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ben-navaratne/.
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