Modern protests decision to award title in first round after tied final
BOMBAI: The Harris Shield final between Anjuman-I-Islam Allana School and Modern English, Chembur, at the Brabourne Stadium, produced a thrilling match which resulted in the first-ever tie in the summit clash in the 128-year history of the tournament.
However, a controversy broke out after the organizers, Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA), declared Anjuman the winner based on his four-run lead in the first innings.
In the first innings, Anjuman scored 267 while Modern English got 263 for eight in 80 overs. In the second innings, Anjuman was bowled out for 203 in 38.3 overs. In response, Modern finished at 207 for six in 40 overs to level the scores.
The organizers’ decision to declare Anjuman champions was not accepted by the final umpires and Modern English coach Subramanian Doraiswamy, a former Mumbai first-class player.
Umpires Rupesh Khadgi and Ravindra Kolpe mentioned in the match sheet (a copy is with YOU): “The above mentioned result has been declared by the organizers. We, the umpires, do not accept the above result as per the Mumbai Cricket Association (PC) Model Rules. The final decision will be taken by the MCA committee.“. An upset Doraiswamy told this newspaper that Modern English was going to file a protest with the MSSA and MCA. As per the rules, they have to register a protest within the next 48 hours.
“We are protesting the final decision because as per the rule it clearly says that the winner of the match in a format of 80 overs-a-side for the first innings and 40 overs-a-side for the second innings, if the match ends in a draw, will be decided and awarded to the team with the best quotient Even the referees were of the same opinion,” he said.
However, MSSA cricket secretary Nadim Memon said: “We followed the rules in the first innings with four runs. The Harris Shield is managed by the MSSA, so we took the decision as the match went on. ended in a draw.
“Officials from MSSA and MCA as well as referees were present during the awards ceremony.”
Vengsarkar for 4 defenders in the ring during the final
During the awards ceremony, the former Indian skipper Dilip Vengsarkar Wasn’t happy with the sight of nine defensive players on the boundary late in the game.
The former national chief coach urged organizers to change the rules of the final and make it mandatory for teams to have four defenders in the 30-meter circle. To encourage results-oriented finals, the MSSA, for the last three years, has restricted the second innings to 40 overs-a-side in the summit clash. However, this has led to teams tending to set up defensive grounds to restrict their opponents, rather than seeking to shut them out.
“The Harris and Giles Shield (tournaments) have a lot of importance in Mumbai cricket. Both teams played well. However, in the second innings, which was 40 overs-a-side, I saw up at nine players lined up on the field, while the equation was very tight, from the next time on, there must be (mandatory) four defensive players inside the 3 0 yard circle for every 40. overs,” Vengsarkar said.
The 116-Test veteran also urged the boys to play conventional cricket in critical situations. “When the equation was four runs (required) in two balls, that batsman could have bowled straight rather than backwards. You could have won the match. However, you will learn from this mistake. Don’t be disappointed,” Vengsarkar said.
Brief scores: Anjuman 267 & 203 (Hamza Khan 57, Absurrahman Khan 37; Vivaan Jobanputra 4/80) bt Modern 263/8 & 207/6 (Kanav Saini 53, Rishabh Sadake 37, Devesh Birje 31; Yuvan Sharma 4/72) during the premieres lead sleeves