DUBAI: Karen, the wife of ICC match-referee Andy Pycroft had been to India on three different visits before. But now not on India tour with her husband, she is regretful on not being able to witness master-blaster’s last two Test matches from the stands.
“I would have loved to come to India but because of my other prior commitments I am not with Andy on this tour”, she said exclusively over telephone from Zimbabwe. “Yes, I shall miss him to watch from close….Sachin is a wonderful and very talented cricketer. I have enjoyed his game a lot”, the cricket-fan wife of the match-referee added.
“I have followed Sachin’s game in IPL and it was privileged to watch him”.
“I am disappointed on not being there. My husband is fortunate enough to watch his both Tests. People in India are passionate about the game and crazy”.
Mrs. Karen Pycroft is well aware about the incident when Sachin Tendulkar was banned for ball-tampering charges in 2001. The ban was subsequently over-turned.
The hype for his last two Test matches, including his farewell game on his home ground is terrific. It is hoped that no such incident occurs when umpires and match-referee are tempted to be generous on Sachin Tendulkar. “Sachin is such a nice guy and I am sure there will be no foul play by him in any of his last two Tests “, she hoped.
As Indian dressing room will be without Sachin after Mumbai Test, Mr. and Mrs. Pycroft will miss him on India’s South Africa tour. “I shall be travelling to South Africa where my husband will continue to be the match referee against India matches”, she concluded.