by K.R.Dinakar
This refers to a news item in SOM dated 9.2.2015 about the renovation of the University
Athletic Ground [opposite Crawford Hall]. It is laudable that the University has kept in mind both the sportspersons and the public. Hundreds of citizens including me, regularly use this beautiful ground for morning or evening walks.
This is a historic ground, which was part of what was earlier known as ‘Gordon Park.’ It was a cricket ground, popularly known as ‘The Ovals’ and was a regular venue for many eventful league matches of the State Cricket Association. My grandfather used to play on this ground in the 1940s. Even I played a practice match here [besides several tennis-ball cricket matches] in 1980-81 for The Mysore Gymkhana [TMG], before it was converted into a full-fledged ground for athletics in 1982. I am sure the University will keep the present ambience of this ground intact, with the lovely surroundings of Crawford Hall, DC Office and the Oriental Research Institute, when it is renovated.
Many are not aware that this very ‘cricket ground’ is where a world record was created 80 years ago, which still stands unsurparssed.
The year was 1934. M.N.Parthasarathy [‘Pachu’] who was an English teacher at Maharaja’s College, a well-known radio commentator and an important member of The Mysore Gymkhana, wrote a tribute to Y.S. Ramaswamy [YSR], the leg-spin bowler, who created the world record, mentioning the historic event in a souvenir [brought out for the Ranji Trophy match between Mysore and Andhra at Maharaja’s College Grounds -1972].
It was a School Tournament where high schools from all over the State used to participate. YSR was representing Marimallappa’s High School, captained by N. Krishnaswamy [who later became a Sports Correspondent in Bengaluru], was meeting Methodist Mission High School, Bengaluru. It was the Final. YSR was bowling from the District Office end. Pachu writes that he saw something sensational in YSR’s leg-breaks on the first day and so, he sat at the Oriental Research Institute end to watch the game. All ten wickets in the first innings had fallen to YSR. In the second innings too, YSR repeated this feat, much to the excitement of one and all as Marimallappa’s won. No one else, other than YSR, has taken ‘all twenty’ in a match till this day, at any level.
YSR went on to play for the State. The Y.S. Ramaswamy Memorial Tournament is being held by the State Cricket Assosiation every year.
I hope that after renovation, this ground does not become a victim during Dasara for various activities.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / Monday – February 16th, 2015