I. L. Bula

I. L. Bula
Personal information
Born(1921-11-15)15 November 1921[1]
Tubou, Fiji
BattingRight-handed
RoleBatsman
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1947/48–1953/54Fiji
First-class debut13 February 1948 Fiji v Auckland
Last First-class12 January 1956 Fiji v West Indians
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 9
Runs scored 702
Batting average 41.29
100s/50s 2/3
Top score 120
Catches/stumpings 8/–
Source: Cricinfo, 21 March 2019

Ilikena Lasarusa Talebulamainavaleniveivakabulaimainakulalakebalau (born 15 November 1921, date of death unknown) 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, I. L. Bula, derived from his initials and the third and fourth syllable of his name – his official surname is, however, the longest of any man who has played first-class cricket.[2] His name literally means "returned alive from Nankula hospital at Lakeba island in the Lau group".[3]

As Fiji was not a Test nation during his time, his first-class matches 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. In 2005, Bula became the first cricketer inducted into Fiji's Hall of Fame.

  1. ^ "From Lau to Lancaster: the Story of Ilikena". New Zealand Cricket Museum. 18 March 2018. Archived from the original on 24 March 2018.
  2. ^ Lynch, Steven (30 April 2012). "How do you spell that? Players who troubled the scorers with their long names". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  3. ^ Lynch, Steven (14 May 2007). "Most runs, most spectators, and most letters in a name The regular Monday column in which Steven Lynch answers your questions about (almost) any aspect of cricket". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 April 2013.