There is no finer place to watch cricket than in the library in the upper tier of the main stand at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. Looking right over the action and surrounded by collections of photographs, bats, balls, blazers and other memorabilia you can sense the history.
The librarian is sifting through today’s newspapers looking for any cricket references to add to the bulging scrapbooks on the shelves. Outside the door one of the attendants sits quietly making flower arrangements for the tables on the veranda area.
Outside it is thirty-two degrees as eleven Irish cricketers prepare to take the field against the Cricket Club of India. The stadium is magnificent with the stands bearing down on the playing arena – What must it be like with a full house for a one day international?
This is the stadium where England would have played the Mumbai test in December had the terror attacks not taken place. Today it plays host to the Ulster Grasshoppers. CCI provided a wide range of support staff: umpires, scorers, washroom attendants, kitchen staff and score board attendants
Our hotel is 200 hundred yards away from the Taj Hotel which still has its first and second floors boarded up after the attacks. Last night some of the team dined in the Leopole Café without realising its significance during the attacks. We arrived late last night, so this morning’s short drive to the ground gave us are first glimpse of Mumbai in day light.
The difference with Delhi is marked. The buildings here are more modern and there is a greater sense of order. There are still ‘tuk-tuks’ but the drivers aren’t constantly hitting the horn. Traffic signals are obeyed and the drivers keep to their lanes. The shops and restaurants display recognisable brand names.
The guide told us this morning that the population is listed as 16 million but could be 20 million, nobody really knows. The city is built on seven different islands. The pied piper would be a hero here in a city of 50,000,000 rats. Eight million people arrive in the city to work each day of which six million come by train. Each train is meant to carry 1400 people but around 6000 climb on board. Around 15 people a day die on the railways and it goes unreported. Once you move away from the commercial heart of the city, the poverty is extreme. Like Delhi however, in every park and in every available space there are people playing cricket.
Fielding first the Grasshoppers fought hard after an early onslaught from two First Class players and ultimately restricted the home side to 205 all out in their allotted 40-overs.
Bowling
Carlo Rendell 8-0-49-1
Andrew Nixon 8-0-42-0
Andrew Cowden 4-0-20-1
Paul Stafford 8-0-33-3
Ben McKnight 4-0-17-2
Lee Nelson 7-0-35-2
All the bowlers worked hard and McKnight and Stafford put the home team in a squeeze. However in the extreme heat rotating the bowlers was essential and home team regained their momentum. Bowling at the death Cowden and Stafford ensured the total was well within our reach.
In reply, McCrum went early as a victim of the new ball. Lee Nelson and Michael Turkington started solidly with Nelson crashing three boundaries in the second over. Michael Turkington played the anchor role and the innings began to take shape. Disaster struck when Lee Nelson setting off for a single, went over on his ankle and had to retire hurt. He has a bad sprain, which has put him out of the remaining games in Mumbai.
Neil Russell came in clearly hampered from a hip injury sustained in the field. Despite his obvious discomfort he looked much more like his old self at one point smashing IPL and former Surrey player Nayan Doshi into the stand for a huge six. He contributed a quick 32 when he was out caught on the boundary. The fielder confirmed he was inside the two flags and he had to go, but a later inspection of the footmarks clearly showed he was 2 yards over the line.
New Carrickfergus teammates Andrew Cowden and Michael Turkington put on a further 50 and at 149 for 3 with 10 overs left it looked as if the Grasshoppers would get close to their target. Unfortunately the loss of Cowden for 31 and Turkington for 30 meant the innings lost momentum, and only a brisk 21 from Mark Nixon took the final score to 165 all out.
Again the final result was disappointing as for most of the game we had at least been on a par with the opposition. As the presentations were completed the tables & chairs were being assembled on the outfield to provide the members to have afternoon tea on the grass. Overall it had been a great day, enjoyed by all.
TEST MATCH SPECIAL AT GYMKHANA
The second Grasshoppers match in Mumbai was at another historic venue – The Bombay Gymkhana where the first test match was played inIndia in 1926. It was a boiling hot morning and unfortunately Neil Russell lost the toss and The Grasshoppers had to take the field. From the start the home side attacked the bowling and maintained a steady run rate of 6 per over.
Several chances went astray which if taken could have reduced the rate, but against some good quality batsman we were made to pay for the lapses. However all the bowlers showed great heart in conditions totally alien to what we are used to in Irelanda nd in all cases their final figures do not do justice to their efforts.
Carlo Rendell 5-0-31-0
Peter Maxwell 6-0-27-0
Neil Watson 8-0-63-2
Cameron Greive 6-0-50-0
Andrew Cowden 8-0-61-4
Ben McKnight 7-0-44-1
Facing a daunting 280 in 40-overs, The Grasshoppers innings started brightly until Robert Kennedy was unfortunately run out for 10 with a direct hit. Michael Turkington was then lbw for 6. However contributions from Neil Russell, Andrew Cowden and Ray McCavery built some momentum into the innings. Ben McKnight then completed a fine all round performance with a fluent 36, and with a late flurry from the tail allowed the Grasshoppers to reach a final total of 186 for 6. While a 95 run defeat appears heavy, it was an excellent effort given the strength of the opposition and the conditions.
As everywhere else we have been the hospitality was wonderful. We were also introduced to Barry Clarke from Newtownards, Invest NI representative in India, who spent the afternoon watching the cricket and then took us to dinner. He gave us an insight into how trade links are established with a country such as India. His colleague Una from East Belfast, who works in the visa section, told us with great passion about the work she and her husband Gary have been doing introducing rugby to the slums.
Some of the team had been asking about how they could make a positive contribution towards improving some of the sights we have seen during our trip and to ensure any contributions are wisely spent. This seemed to represent an ideal way to contribute too positive change by providing kit or rugby balls. Graeme Hunter was able to organise a couple of Ulster Jerseys which could be auctioned and the money put towards a tournament that Una will be involved with later in March.
Overall it was a thoroughly enjoyable day. We were treated to a series of stories from ex-test cricketers and supplied with endless beers and cokes, courtesy of the Bombay Gymkhana club. We left the ground exhausted yet amazed at the hospitality of our hosts.
LEAVING MUMBAI ON A WINNING NOTE
Our final match in Mumbai gave us the opportunity to play at the “Oval”, a massive green area in the middle of Mumbai where 8 games of cricket are going on simultaneously. The game was scheduled against TATA Consultancy Services, the company that Sonny Singh (The former Ballymena professional) our host in Mumbai is employed by. Sonny has regaled us with stories from his time in Ballymena, most of it has to be said, involving a certain Mr. Jimmy Boyce.
The game was to be played under Twenty20 rules, and captain for the day Paul Stafford managed to “negotiate” the toss to allow the Grasshoppers to bat first. Helped by some poor catching, Andrew Nixon and Ben McKnight got the innings off to a flying start. McKnight carried on his good form to make 25 and Andrew Nixon fell for 33. The loss of Cowden, Kennedy, Mark Nixon and Cameron Grieve in quick succession slowed the momentum, and it was left to the two veteran left-handers Michael Turkington and Ray McCavery to rescue the innings with a partnership of 60. Running well between the wickets both men were left exhausted the end of the twenty-overs. In a final total of 139 Turkington was undefeated on 34 and McCavery on 22.
Peter Maxwell took a wicket with his first delivery, and bowling straight through his 4 overs returned superb figures of 2 for 14. Paul Stafford also picked up 2 wickets but with Ashwin still at the wicket TCS were probably slight favourites. However, in an attempt to increase the run rate TCS managed to be involved in four run outs, which swung the balance decisively in favour of the Grasshoppers. Excellent bowling at the death from Andrew Cowden and Mark Nixon ensure a victory by 7 runs.
Andrew Nixon 3-0-23-0
Peter Maxwell 4-0-14-2
Cameron Grieve 3-0-23-0
Paul Stafford 4-0-24-2
Mark Nixon 4-0-31-0
Andrew Cowden 2-0-12-0
An excellent performance from all involved was followed by lunch underneath the canopy providing the shade from the boiling sun. For most it will be an afternoon spent resting by the pool.
Touring is a wonderful way to live.
Watch this space for more to follow…
