Afghans play Pakis at Chepauk - Robert Haynes - who ?

Remember - Robert  Haynes- West Indies Cricketer, played at Chepauk ! (nothing to do with Desmond Haynes other than the fact that he too played in that match) !!

In 1859, Madras Presidency acquired Chepauk palace in an auction – a few years later obtained Govt permission to build pavilion at the palace grounds to Madras Cricket Club. The pavilion was reconstructed in 1892 and was utilized till 1982 when it was demolished as part of the stadium renovation.  Understand that a couple years ago, the lease period of the stadium was extended by the Tamil Nadu government for 21 years from 2015. Again in recent years, it has undergone major renovation  and is new for today’s match to be played under flood lights. 

The stadium once known for Pongal tests has hosted 27 ODI matches,  of which 9 were matches not involving India. 

The first ever ODI played here was Reliance World Cup on Oct 9, 1987.  A match to remember for that opening stand between Sunil Gavaskar & Krish Srikkanth (83) and later  the sixer hitting Navjot Sidhu.  Then  Kapil Dev's sportsmanship – one of  Jones's two sixes, in his 39 from 35 balls, had been signalled as four; but between innings Kapil concurred with the Australians' insistence that the ball cleared the boundary.   India's target was increased by 2 seemed insignificant when India raced past 200 for the loss of only two wickets. McDermott's first four overs went for 31 runs. Closer to finish -  India, with four wickets in hand, needed just 15 from the last four overs; when the last over began, the requirement was 6, with the last man, Maninder Singh, taking strike. He managed two 2s, but was out with India short by a solitary run !!  

Today the 22^nd match of ICC WC 2023 is underway – between Pakistan and Afghanistan, both close to ‘must-win’ position.   Defeat for Afghanistan would almost certainly knock them out, while a Pakistan loss leaves Babar Azam's side with no further room for error. Afghan has read the pitch a different way and is playing with 4 spinners.  

The first ODI not involving India was Reliance Cup match of 1987 between Australia and Zimbabwe – remember seeing that match and the brilliant fielding of Kevin Curran – Alan Border and Dave Houghton were the rival captains. Border, dropped by Jarvis off a straightforward return catch when he had scored 1, put on 113 with Geoff Marsh.      

The 4^th match of  MRF World Series in Oct 1989 featured Australia and West Indies at Chepauk. Australia won by massive 99 runs after scoring only 241/6 against an attak of Curtly Ambrose, Winston Benjamin, Courtney Walsh, Malcolm Marshall, Viv Richards and leggie Haynes who had figures of 6-0-36-2.  

Alan Border excelled in all departments including a mighty six off Ambrose.  Des Haynes was run out by Waugh's throw from deep cover, Viv Richards, the Captain,  struggled and scored only 6.  Robert Christopher Haynes was  a left handed bat and leg spin bowler from Jamaica who played 8 ODIs with an ordinary performance – later he was in the National selection panel  headed by Clyde Butts.

 
With regards – S Sampathkumar.
23.10.2023