Cricket NSW-Mumbai ties helping to heal the wounds of infamous 2007-08 Oz summer

Sydney, Dec.2 (ANI): Not many cricket lovers can forget the infamous Sydney Test of 2008, which Australia won controversially. The scars of that India-Australia series remain, but efforts are on at the first class level to mend ties.

Domestic powerhouses Cricket NSW and the Mumbai Cricket Association have established official cricketing ties, and the man responsible for is Indian-origin Cricket NSW chairman and Cricket Australia board member Harry Harinath.

Harinath recalls that during the 2007-08 series, his phone was running hot in the days and weeks after the Sydney Test unravelled on the third day, sparked by off-spinner Harbhajan Singh's alleged description of Andrew Symonds as a "monkey".

He was stuck in the middle and in a unique diplomatic position.

"I think looking back we could have handled it much better," the Sydney Morning Herald quotes Harinath, as saying.

"We learn retrospectively and I'm sure if there was something which could have been sorted out then and there, it would have been much better," he added.

"It's a game that no matter how much we strive there will always be some issues. It's a matter of how quickly you can resolve the issue and get on with the game of cricket," Harinath said.

Harinath, a respected doctor, concedes challenges remain in relations between nations outside cricket, noting the attacks on Indian students in Melbourne.

Yet he believes the forming of a cricketing bond between NSW and Mumbai is a major step forward on a sporting level.

The link between the organizations will include coaching exchanges, tours by junior and women's teams as well as a senior men's contest every two years.

Mumbai made an ideal partner, he said, due to their similar history and structure.

"This is all about building up a brick-by-brick relationship," Harinath said.

"The financial might of international cricket is no doubt India, let's not kid ourselves. We need India as an important partner. At the same time, India needs good cricketing nations around the world like Australia, England, South Africa and the West Indies. If the cricket is strong it's good for the financial point of view. As an administrator we'd like to have more strong nations playing the game," he added. (ANI)