Overage players a problem here too

Mumbai's heritage society identifies the city's architectural treasures and illuminates them in aesthetic fashion.

Mumbai's heritage society identifies the city's architectural treasures and illuminates them in aesthetic fashion. Had it catered to historic sports events, it would have offered a similar privilege to the Harris and Giles Shields, Mumbai's storied schools cricket competitions.

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Carrying a history of over a 100 years, the Harris Shield and the Giles Shield have been catalysts in the development of the Gavaskars and Tendulkars. Each edition of the event attracts a massive 150 teams or there abouts. But the Harris and the Giles are just two of the factors that make Mumbai schools cricket distinctive. New tournaments, like the five-yearold Parle Cup and the city's commitment to the sport are equally responsible."Hell or high water, organisers conduct events," says Makarand Waingankar, cricket management consultant.

"For example, Azad Maidan was in a state at the beginning of the year due to the Mumbai marathon and some political rallies. It affected the Giles and Harris itineraries. But the show went on."

Dinesh Lad, coach of the Swami Vivekananda International school team, agrees. "Cricket is in Mumbai's genes," says. "And the players are immensely talented."

There is, however, a scary side to the pleasant image. Age fudging, though not as common as in other parts of the country, exists. So do appalling ground conditions and biased umpiring. "I don't want to take names, but some of the top teams get overage players from other towns to play for their teams," says Lad. "I am not against out of towners. But they should spend two years in a Mumbai school before playing for it. Moreover, bone marrow tests are a must. We also need umpires who are better and of course, honest."

Naushad Khan, coach of Harris Shield champions Anjuman-I-Islam Allana English school, wants ground maintenance to be a priority. Especially at Azad Maidan, a cricketing multiplex of sorts, which fields nearly 20 matches at a go. "Players have suffered cuts from glass bottles on the ground," says Khan, recently included in the Mumbai Cricket Association's maidan sub-committee. "We need to level the maidan at least twice every year -- in October and January. This will not only prevent injuries but also improve the standard of fielding."