03 August,2009 11:04 AM IST | | Clinton Vaz
In a sporting week dominated by the news of Michael Schumacher's comeback, the flannelled cricketers on Cross Maidan were shocked to see 64-year-old former Mumbai wicketkeeper Sharad Hazare back in action.
Hazare, who wore the lion-crested Mumbai cap from 1967 to 1976, added spice to the opening day of the 2009 Strategen Dr HD Kanga Cricket League by turning up for Star Cricket Club at Cross Maidan.
Apparently, the 'D' division club were without a wicketkeeper and decided to approach Hazare, who enthusiastically accepted the offer. "Although I have nothing to prove at this age, I certainly feel I can be a source of inspiration to young cricketers," he told MiD DAY.
Coaching at the MIG Cricket Club is one thing, making a comeback to local cricket after 15 years is quite another. No wonder Hazare kept saying, "I am tired, I am tired," after his game against Young Stars.
Exhausted
"I haven't played a match in 15 years. Right now, I am extremely exhausted and hopefully I don't wake up with a stiff body tomorrow," he said.
Hazare wore batting pads while keeping wickets since he was never comfortable with the smaller wicketkeepers' pads.
"I like being behind the stumps if the bowling is good. In the advent of T20, most bowlers are striving for pace and very few are able to swing and move the ball. Playing for Mumbai was different. I still have to learn from these youngsters," he said with a grin. Yesterday was not just a one-off appearance and the skinny wicketkeeper wants to play the entire tournament. The only thing he needs at this age is confidence, he reckoned after the drawn game.
Hazare was an excellent wicketkeeper, who was in the India squad for the 1969-70 Chennai Test against the Australians. He never played for India though
