The Hindu : Crowd behaviour draws flak

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 14, 2002

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Crowd behaviour draws flak

By Our Special Correspondent

Mumbai Oct. 13. The remarks made by the International Cricket Council's `Elite Panel' and respected umpire in the world, David Shepherd at the pool side of the Cricket Club of India (CCI) on Saturday, put to shame the conduct and behaviour of the city's spectators known for their understanding of the game and sporting spirit.

The fact that he chose to say what he felt of the behaviour of spectators at a section of the North Stand at the Wankhede Stadium during the first Test stunned a good gathering among whom were some legends to whom the CCI presented Honorary Life Membership.

"It's a happy occasion, and I don't intend to sour it. India's cricketers play great cricket. India's people are warm, but a section of the crowd at the North Stand chanted mindless obscenities. It was shocking. Fortunately it did not come from the stand that has been named after Sachin Tendulkar. It would have been nothing short of a crime if the chanting had come from there, for Tendulkar is not only a great ambassador for Indian cricket, but also world cricket,'' said Shepherd after accepting the Honorary Life Membership from the CCI.

At the post match press conference, West Indies captain Carl Hooper was asked to comment on the behaviour of a section of the crowd in the North Stand. "It's not been the worst," he said.

Eight years ago, Courtney Walsh threatened to take his team off the field during the Nagpur Test following derogatory words being said about them from the stands.

"We are not animals," Walsh had said then.

Crowd misbehaviour was at its worst during the first Asian Test championship match at the Eden Gardens three years ago. The police had to empty the Eden Gardens so that play could be completed on the last day. Spectators in Mumbai and Kolkata have blotted their image in the past. This is quite a contrast to the impeccable behaviour of the crowd in Chennai during the India-Pakistan match three years ago.

Shepherd was one among the five who was offered Honorary Life Membership by the CCI. The other four were Sir Vivian Richards, Michael Holding, Mike Procter and Chandu Sarwate. The cards were presented to them by Capt. Mushtaq Ali, Ravi Shastri, Nari Contractor, Sanjay Manjrekar and CCI President Raj Singh Dungarpur.

Sir Vivian recalled India's first win against the West Indies in 1971 and expressed happiness at getting an opportunity to meet former players like Ajit Wadekar, Dilip Vengsarkar and many others. He also congratulated the Chairman of selectors, Brijesh Patel. He also expressed the hope that his team would bounce back.

Holding said he had bowled bouncers to Indian batsmen and got their wickets, but in spite of that they had remained his friends.

"This is what cricket is all about. I don't know if I will be walking like Mushtaq Ali....at the age 87, he is upright. I don't know if I will live that long. It's great to meet him."

Mike Procter said it was India which had played the lead role in South Africa's return to international cricket ten years ago.

Sarwate thanked the CCI for honouring him with the life membership.

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