‘Was shocked to see 50 media personnel waiting for me’ – Daryl Harper after Sachin Tendulkar’s delayed arrival in the 2007 Cape Town Test

Back in 2007, South Africa won their third Test against India at the Newlands in Cape Town to win the three-match series 2-1. The match was a witness to some jaw-dropping cricket, but apart from that, a bizarre moment also took place during the contest. It was on the fourth day when India had to come out to bat. Virender Sehwag and Wasim Jaffer opened the batting for the visitors.

But both openers were dismissed cheaply and Sachin Tendulkar was padded up to bat at number three. However, there was a delay after which the Proteas complained. The delay extended beyond three minutes and as per the rules, a batsman could be given timed out. Nevertheless, on-field umpire Daryl Harper convinced hosts’ skipper Graeme Smith that the delay wasn’t intentional.

On the third day’s play, Sachin was out of the field due to injury and had to wait for some time before coming out to bat. When the fourth umpire said that Sachin can’t go to bat, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly padded up quickly. Tendulkar eventually batted at number five.

In the meantime, Harper went down the memory lane and recalled an incident, when was surrounded by 50 media personnel. The veteran opened up during an exclusive interview with Asianet Newsable.

Expected a gathering of possibly 10 journalists: Daryl Harper

“In Cape Town at the close of the fourth day of a Test with South Africa, I was asked to attend the media gathering to explain an unusual incident from earlier in the day when Sachin Tendulkar had been ineligible to bat when Wasim Jaffer was the second Indian wicket of the second innings,” Harper told.

“In Cape Town at the close of the fourth day of a Test with South Africa, I was asked to attend the media gathering to explain an unusual incident from earlier in the day when Sachin Tendulkar had been ineligible to bat when Wasim Jaffer was the second Indian wicket of the second innings,” he stated.

“I obliged, expecting to find a gathering of possibly 10 journalists. When I took my seat and turned to answer the first question, I was shocked to find approximately 50 media representatives eagerly awaiting my answer. I reminded myself that India was on tour,” he added.