Local Cricket returns to Secunderabad Parade Ground
Hyderabad: Parade ground in Secunderabad is close to heart to any local league cricketer of the city of Hyderabad, particularly on weekends where it turns out to be a carnival atmosphere. However, the Parade grounds wore a deserted look for three years as the Hyderabad Cricket Association could not conduct cricket matches. The Parade ground […]
Hyderabad: Parade ground in Secunderabad is close to heart to any local league cricketer of the city of Hyderabad, particularly on weekends where it turns out to be a carnival atmosphere.
However, the Parade grounds wore a deserted look for three years as the Hyderabad Cricket Association could not conduct cricket matches. The Parade ground once again came alive on Saturday with six A one day league matches being played after getting clearance from Army authorities. The HCA plans to increase from six to ten matches at this venue by next week.
Former secretary PR Man Singh said Parade grounds has rich history. “It started with three teams — Ethiraj, Azad CC and Rising Stars — playing in 1959. By late 70s, five more teams began playing on this ground. The ground was freely used by the general public and even people learnt driving here. However, the Army put some restrictions and only cricket matches were allowed to be played with HCA providing mats for the matches,” he said.
Former Test cricketer VVS Laxman has fond memories of the ground. “I played schools and college matches here. It has special significance as it is a different experience.”
Veteran cricketer Noshir Mehta said Parade ground was always a beehive of activity. “Come Saturday and Sunday, the cricketers would throng the ground. Playing on matting wickets is always different as there is bounce for the bowlers and a batsman could improve his backfoot play though the uneven ground was challenging for the fielders. All in all a perfect launch pad for a young cricketer,” he said.
Former pace bowler P Jyothi Prasad echoed the same, “Young cricketers always enjoy the atmosphere. The ice cream vendors or phali vendors were there for the cricketers. With the ground at the heart of the city, Paradise, Taj Hotel, Anand Vihar, Garden Restaurant were the favourite places where the cricketers would assemble before, during lunch session and after the matches for endless debates of the matches,” he said.
The cricketers who played in Maidaan in Mumbai and Parade grounds feel that there is also fun and big learning experience, said Vijay Mohan Raj, former Bombay and Hyderabad opener. He adds, “There are a lot of similarities. But at Maidaan, the matches are played on turf and there is a thick layer of grass around. But it is bumpy outfield and matting wickets at Parade grounds. All in all it is a different experience.”
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