Harris Shield Final: MES Coach Says Game Evenly Poised Despite Conceding Narrow Lead To Anjuman-I-Islam Allana English

Despite conceding a narrow lead to Anjuman-I-Islam Allana English in the Harris Shield final on Tuesday, Modern English School Chembur cricket coach Doraiswamy Subramanian is confident that his team is capable to restrict Anjuman and chase the total in required 40 overs on the third and final day on Wednesday at the Brabourne Stadium, CCI.

The confidence comes from the fact that his team has done appreciably well in the last couple of years, winning the Giles Shield last year and reaching the Harris Shield final this year. “This game is evenly poised. We could have done better but considering the situation we did well not to concede bigger lead. We have been a good bowling unit, especially the slow bowlers and are capable to make things difficult for the batters. We have won many tight games, and out batters can complement the bowlers,” Subramanian said, after motivating his boys after the second day’s play on Tuesday.

Modern English bowling has shown plenty of guile with left-arm spinner Vivaan Jobaputra leading the pack. “The team has gelled well and are playing as a unit. Many players who won Giles Shield last year are part of this team so they know how to win big matches. We played well in Harris Shield also last year, but unfortunately couldn’t qualify to the elite round as we lost last game to Rizvi Springfield by just two runs in a rain curtailed game. This year we not only qualified for the Super League but also reached final and will want to finish on a high,” Subramanian added.

Anjuman on the other hand, have rich cricket history producing prominent players like Salim Durrani, Ghulam Parkar and Wasim Jaffer and have also developed young cricketers like Yashasvi Jaiswal are eyeing history. After reviving cricket, they are aiming Harris Shield title after close to three decades. Current cricket coach Kadir Patel wants to be known like his name sake Qadir Sir, who was coach in glory days.

“We did well today. Our bowlers stuck to a plan and restricted them today. The wicket is flat and we have bat well tomorrow to build on the advantage and ensure we win the trophy after a long gap,” he said.