More, Apte glad to see many Indian spectators at Lord’s

More, Apte glad to see many Indian spectators at Lord's

Erstwhile Indian cricketers Arvind Apte and Kiran More were very proud yesterday to see many Indians turning up to witness the 100th Test between India and England which incidentally is the 2000th Test in cricket
history.

More, who made his Test debut here in 1986, played in the 1990 Test too. His performance was not as good as his maiden Test because he dropped Graham Gooch off Sanjeev Sharma before the England skipper went on to score 333 in a game which India lost.

Apte, who played a solitary Test for India in the 1959 series against England, has been a regular visitor to Lord's ever since he became a Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) member in 1970.u00a0

"I'm here every summer, but it is special to be here during the 100th India vs England and 2000th Test overall.

It is always special to be around when India is playing and it is great to see so many Indians around, cheering their team. It is a matter of pride," recalled Apte, who lives across the ground.

More said he was surprised to discover that MCC made him a member in 1997. He watched some of yesterday's action from the famous Long Room too. "Our countrymen's presence here shows how much Indian cricket has grown," said More, who only came to watch batting greats Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag. "Unfortunately, Sehwag is injured. These guys have taken Indian cricket to a new high and I had planned this trip long ago," More added.