I. L. Bula
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ilikena Lasarusa Talebulamaineiilikenamainavaleniveivakabulaimainakulalakebalau | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born |
15 November 1921 Tubou, Fiji |
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| Nickname | I. L. Bula | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting style | Right-handed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Role | Batsman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1947/48 – 1953/54 | Fiji | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First-class debut | 13 February 1948 Fiji v Auckland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last First-class | 12 January 1956 Fiji v West Indians | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Source: Cricinfo, 1 February 1956 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ilikena Lasarusa Talebulamaineiilikenamainavaleniveivakabulaimainakulalakebalau (born 15 November 1921) was a Fijian cricketer who played nine first class matches for Fiji between 1947–48 and 1953–54. He was more commonly known by the shortened version of his name, IL Bula, derived from his initials and the third and fourth syllable of his name – his official surname is, however, the longest by any man who has played first class cricket. His name literally means "returned alive from Nankula hospital at Lakeba island in the Lau group". As Fiji was not a Test nation during his time, his official games were limited to two tours of New Zealand. Bula was a hard hitter of the ball, and was said to have scored a century in an hour against Canterbury on his second tour in 1953–54. He also hit 22 sixes in a club match at Suva in 1958 in which he scored 246, the highest total in domestic Fijian cricket.
The Fijian/Tongan cricket star hails from the chiefly village Tubou, Lakeba, in the Lau Islands. Bula is the great great-grand nephew of the Tongan prince and conqueror, Enele Ma'afu.
Bula made his debut at the age of 26, batting at number three and top-scoring with 44 before he was caught off part-time bowler Verdun Scott. He shared an 80-run partnership with George Cakobau as Fiji moved to 98 for 3, but they were quickly bowled out for 143, trailing Auckland by 197. Auckland opted to bat again instead of enforcing the follow on, and added 154 before declaring, which left Fiji to chase 332 for the victory. Bula once again made it into double figures, but was bowled by spinner Francis Hemmingson, and Fiji lost by 168 runs.
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