Anger, cheers mark Hyd Test match
HYDERABAD: For Hyderabadis who were frustrated with stern security arrangements and frisking at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium at Uppal on Saturday, the Indian team set up a joyous welcome with early wickets and went on to wrap up the day by displaying a glimpse of their batting skills.
As thousands gathered outside the stadium early in the morning, many were left bewildered as mobile phones, cameras and other electronic items were not allowed inside.
And though these restrictions were clearly mentioned on the tickets, spectators did not seem to have taken them seriously.
'We got the tickets today morning outside the stadium after so much difficulty, and now the guards do not let us go inside with our phones,' said one Cholapandian, a student of English and Foreign Languages University outside the stadium.
Though the match began at 9.30 am, thousands with tickets were still seen waiting outside, even at 11 am. 'By the time we managed to drop the cell phones and cameras back at a friends house in Taranaka and enter the stadium, three wickets were already down,' fumed N Pradeep, a software employee.
Other issues that agonised spectators were the lack of shade on most parts of the stadium, unclean seats and chaotic parking.
But viewers cheered their favourite stars' each small gesture, spreading an ambience of a one-day match. 'This could be Sachin's last outing at Hyderabad and we did not want to miss it. We hope he scores a ton here,' said Nalini Rangan, a private firm employee.
Aussie Fans Disappointed!
Apart from a poor show by visitors, Aussie fans had many other reasons to be disappointed. Natasha Reid, a fan from Melbourne, said, 'The Chennai crowd was much more friendly. Here, they boo us instead of showing good sportsman spirit. For a Saturday, it is a good crowd and on Sunday, when India bats, the stadium might just be full.'
Another fan, Jordan Myers from Brisbane, said, 'It looked a lot like an Australian wicket on Day 1. We wanted to bat first so as to avoid batting on the last day. But looks like it might not go all the way to Day 5.'
'The security measures here were a hassle. They took away my binoculars. Luckily I had not taken my cell phone today,' said Steve Robberts from Lara, who thought Aussies were very much in the game.
Wearing baggy green caps and floral shirts, they were all part of an organization called 'Waving the flag' which travels across the globe supporting the Australian cricket team. They have named this series as the 'Omelee Omelee tour' - something they heard from the streets.
Luke 'Sparrow' Gillian, who was on his 161st Australian test match as a spectator, heads the group. He claims to have watched Australia play all the test playing nations in the world, including Abu Dhabi. 'I started 'Waving the flag' in 2001 to encourage affordable packages for Australian cricket fans,' he said, adding the number of fans who arrived in the country this year was only 55 as compared to 253 during the last series.
'BCCI does not bother about Australian fans. Are we not welcome here?,' he questioned. Adding more, he said, 'The dip is because BCCI gave us a very short notice about the matches and then rescheduled the fixtures too.'
Finding the security frustrating, he said, 'We are tourists and would like to click some photographs during the match. The blast was an unfortunate incident, but we know it was not oriented towards cricket.' He then added, 'The biggest inconvenience would have been a venue change at the last minute.'
News Posted: 3 March, 2013
|
