Random Cricket Photos Post 61



#RandomCricketPhotosThatMakeMeHappy
1991 was a remarkable year for cricket as it saw South Africa not only getting readmitted to cricket but also showing the world that it was here to stay. The red carpet was, as many know, laid by India who welcomed them for a three match ODI series, the first of which took place in Calcutta on 10th November.

Things, however, could have derailed very quickly for the visiting team.

In the first match itself, with 60,000 people and several dignitaries in attendance, their team manager Ali Bacher rubbed his hosts the wrong way. He made an informal protest about the 'condition of the ball' which had apparently been gouged while the Indians were fielding to help it swing.

Bacher made things worse by visiting the Press Box and making things public, thus putting the future of the tour in jeopardy. India denied the claims and the then BCCI President, Madhav Rao Scindia, wasn't pleased at all by what had transpired.

Wisden notes Bacher's actions with the following words that seem fairly apt -

"World-weary observers thought it was a little too soon for South Africa to switch from being cricket's pariah to its preacher."

Better sense prevailed eventually when Geoff Dakin, United Cricket Board of South Africa's President. apologized for Bacher's actions and moved on with the tour.

And you thought India South Africa 2001 was India's first brush with ball tampering allegations!

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