It was time take a trip down memory lane for thoseconnected with Mumbai cricket here as they fondly recalled the contribution of former England pacer-turned-coach late Frank Tyson, in unearthing bowlers for the oft-crowned Ranji Trophy champions 25 years ago.
Former India skipper Nari Contractor, who was closely involved in the erstwhile Bombay Cricket Association-Mafatlal Bowling Scheme of the early 1990s, even had a dig at the then BCA (now MCA) officials for not even providing proper training facilities to Tyson, who passed away in Australia on September 27 at the age of 85.
"I spoke to Rishikesh Mafatlal, who sent me to England to find a suitable coach for the scheme. But I was not satisfied with the answers they gave about what were their plans if they were appointed as head coach. I then met Keith Andrews, who was coaching at Lord's who suggested the name of Tyson who was living in Australia," said Contractor, at the function held here last night at the Cricket Club of India.
"But I never knew Tyson as a coach though everyone knew him as a top fast bowler. He was also a (school) teacher and a headmaster and thus had teaching experience. After returning home, I contacted him on the scheme and he asked for some time.
"Later he said he wanted only young boys who are raw for the scheme and also made it clear he will not tolerate any interference. Mr Mafatlal agreed to support the scheme and his only contention was that the scheme must produce first class cricketers," said the 81-year-old Contractor who played 31 Tests for India.
But Contractor also recalled how the then BCA officials were not co-operative to lend a helping hand to the scheme and did not give Tyson a proper ground to conduct his training stint.
"We had to train at the CCI (Cricket Club of India), Parsee Gymkhana and places like that. I don't think any other person would have continued except Tyson. He said he would go back if this (sort of situation) continued," said Contractor, who added how a meeting with the then BCA President Manohar Joshi smoothened matters later.
"He was so gentle and yet so hard. Some of the boys he selected for the scheme went on to play for India and most of them also played for Mumbai for decade to decade and half. I can say one of the happiest decisions I ever made in life for cricket was to call Tyson and asked him to be the head coach of the BCA-Mafatlal scheme," he said.
