Not many cricketers get a chance to celebrate a landmark birthday and fly out two days later to a paradise destination where he played cricket 47 years ago.
Not many cricketers get a chance to celebrate a landmark birthday and fly out two days later to a paradise destination where he played cricket 47 years ago.
Former India captain Nari Contractor turns 75 today. On Monday, he will board a flight to be in Trinidad to
witness the setting up of blood banks in the name of his rival captain on the 1961-62 tour, Frank Worrell (first reported in MiD DAY on March 1)
"I am delighted to turn 75 andu00a0 be in such a healthy state," he said yesterday. Contractor will forever be known as the man who nearly lost his life after being felled by a Charlie Griffith delivery in 1962.
His contribution to Indian cricket is significant. He was a steely opening batsman and led the country with distinction. Richie Benaud once rated him as one of the best openers in world cricket and legendary Aussie all-rounder Keith Miller said that Contractor should get a Victoria Cross for his bravery.
Contractor is proud of the fact that he returned to first-class cricket after the injury. "Not many players would have come back," he said. Contractor's major contribution to Mumbai cricket was his selection of Frank Tyson to spearhead the BCA-Mafatlal Bowling Scheme in 1990.
