Modern to protest decision to award title on 1st innings lead after final ends in tie
MUMBAI: 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-old history of the tournament.
However, a controversy broke out after the organisers, Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA), declared Anjuman as the winners on the basis of their four-run first innings lead.
In the first innings, Anjuman scored 267 while Modern English got 263 for eight in 80 overs. In the second innings, Anjuman were bowled out for 203 in 38.3 overs. In reply, Modern finished at 207 for six in 40 overs to tie the scores.
The organisers' decision to declare Anjuman as the champions wasn't accepted by the umpires of the final and Modern English coach Subramanian Doraiswamy, a former Mumbai first-class player.
The umpires Rupesh Khadgi and Ravindra Kolpe mentioned in the scoresheet (a copy is with TOI), "The above-mentioned result has been declared by the organisers. We umpires are not accepting the above result as per the Mumbai Cricket Association Model Rule (PC). The final decision will be taken by the MCA committee." An upset Doraiswamy told this paper that Modern English will lodge a protest with the MSSA and the MCA. As per the rules, they have to register a protest in the next 48 hours.
"We are protesting the final decision as according to the rule, it clearly says that the winner of the match in an 80 overs-a-side for the first innings and 40 overs-a-side for the second innings format, if the game ends in a tie, will be decided and awarded to the team with a better quotient. Even the umpires were of the same view," he said.
However, MSSA cricket secretary Nadim Memon said, "We went as per the rules of the first innings lead of four runs. The Harris Shield is run by the MSSA, so we took the decision as the match ended in a tie.
"The MSSA and MCA officials and the umpires were present during the prize distribution ceremony."
Vengsarkar for 4 fielders in the ring during final
During the prize distribution, former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar was not pleased with the sight of as many as nine fielders on the boundary towards the closing stages of the match.
The ex-national chief selector urged the organisers to change the rules in the final and make it compulsory for teams to have four fielders in the 30-yard circle. To encourage result-oriented finals, the MSSA, for the last three years, has restricted the second innings to 40 overs-a-side in the summit clash. However, that has resulted in teams tending to put defensive fields to restrict their opponents, rather than looking to dismiss them.
"The Harris and Giles Shield (tournaments) hold a lot of importance in Mumbai cricket. Both the teams played well. However, in the second innings, which was 40 overs-a-side, I saw as many as nine fielders fielding on the boundary, when the equation was very close. From the next time, there must be (mandatorily) four fielders inside the 3 0-yard circle for all the 40 overs," Vengsarkar said.
The 116-Test veteran also urged the boys to play conventional cricket in crunch situations. "When the equation was four runs (needed) in two balls, that batsman could have played straight rather than reverse sweep. You could have won the match. Nevertheless, you guys 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) on first innings lead
