There is no finer place to watch cricket than in the library in the upper tier of the main stand at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. Looking right over the action and surrounded by collections of photographs, bats, balls, blazers and other memorabilia you can sense the history.

The librarian is sifting through today's newspapers looking for any cricket references to add to the bulging scrap books on the shelves. Outside the door one of the attendants sits quietly making flower arrangements for the tables on the veranda area.

Outside it is thirty two degrees as eleven Irish cricketers prepare to take the field against the Cricket Club of India. The stadium is magnificent with the stands bearing down on the playing arena – What must it be like with a full house for a one day international?

This is the stadium where England would have played the Mumbai test in December had the terror attacks not taken place. Today it plays host to the Ulster Grasshoppers. CCI provided a wide range of support staff: umpires, scorers, washroom attendants, kitchen staff and score board attendants

Our hotel is 200 hundred yards away from the Taj hotel which still has its first and second floors boarded up after the attacks. Last night some of the team dined in the Leopole Café without realising its significance during the attacks. We arrived late last night so this mornings short drive to the ground gave us are first glimpse of Mumbai in day light.

The difference with Delhi is marked. The buildings are more modern and there is a greater sense of order. There are still ‘tuk-tuks' but the drivers aren't constantly hitting the horn. Traffic signals are obeyed and the drivers keep to their lanes. The shops and restaurants display recognisable brand names.

The guide told us this morning that the population is listed as 16 million but could be 20 million, nobody really knows. The city is built on seven different islands. The pied piper would be a hero here in a city of 50,000,000 rats. Eight million people arrive in the city to work each day of which six million is by train. Each train is meant to carry 1400 people but around 6000 climb on board. Around 15 people a day die on the railways and it goes unreported. Once you move away from the commercial heart of the city again the poverty is extreme.

Like Delhi however in every park and in every available space there are people playing cricket.

Fielding first the Grasshoppers fought hard after an early onslaught from two First Class players and ultimately restricted the home side to 205 all out in their allotted 40 overs.

Bowling
Carlo Rendell 8-0-49-1
Andrew Nixon 8-0-42-0
Andrew Cowden 4-0-20-1
Paul Stafford 8-0-33-3
Ben McKnight 4-0-17-2
Lee Nelson 7-0-35-2

All the bowlers worked hard and McKnight and Stafford put the home team in a squeeze. However in the extreme heat rotating the bowlers was essential and home team regained their momentum. Bowling at the death Cowden and Stafford ensured the total was well within our reach.

In reply, McCrum went early a victim of the new ball. Lee Nelson and Michael Turkington started solidly with Nelson crashing three boundaries in the second over. Michael Turkington played the anchor role and the innings began to take shape. Disaster struck when Lee Nelson setting off for a single, went over on his ankle and had to retire hurt. He has a bad sprain which has put him out of the remaining games in Mumbai.

Neil Russell came in clearly hampered from a hip injury sustained in the field. Despite his obvious discomfort he looked much more like his old self at one point smashing IPL and former Surrey player Nayan Doshi into the stand for a huge six. He contributed a quick 32 when he was out caught on the boundary. The fielder confirmed he was inside the two flags and he had to go but a later inspection of the footmarks clearly showed he was 2 yards over the line.

New Carrickfergus teammates Andrew Cowden and Michael Turkington put on a further 50 and at 149 for 3 with 10 overs left it looked as if the Grasshoppers would get close to their target. Unfortunately the loss of Cowden for 31 and Turkington for 30 meant the innings lost momentum, and only a brisk 21 from Mark Nixon took the final score to 165 all out.

Again the final result was disappointing as for most of the game we had at least been on a par with the opposition. As the presentations were completed the tables & chairs were being assembled on the outfield to provide the members to have afternoon tea on the grass. Overall it had been a great day which was enjoyed by all.