India too lost inaugural cricket Test to England

By A. C. de Silva

CRICKET: India had a similar opening as Sri Lanka for their Test cricket programme, losing the inaugured Test to England, the venue being Lord's cricket ground in England. The match started on 25th June 1932 ended on 28th June (that's three days play as June 26th June being an off-day.)

Being the first-ever clash for India, there was some speculation as to what sort of combination India will field in the opening Test match where as usual a lot of prominence was attached. There were a number of warm-up matches played prior to the all-important clash.

There was some talk that the Maharaja of Porbandar would lead the Indian team but as the days drew closer to the all important day, this suggestion was set aside due to the ill health of the Maharaja and also his continuing poor form. Then there was Indian vice-captain Linbodi was in a better position to get a place and lead the Indian team in this historic match. But this too was caste aside and finally it fell on C. K. Nayudu to captain India in this historic match.

England's captain was Douglas Jardin.

Touring teams are (or should be generally) chosen taking note of the strengths available at home and the weaknesses open to exploit in the destination area. It is by no means clear that adequate thought had been given to weaknesses obtaining in England's cricket in choosing the Indian side of 1932.

The general impression was that strong batting potential had been provided for, but with the provise that hard wickets and good weather would be needed to make the men come off.

As for the bowling, no doubt some sturdy men and useful performers were in the squad, but many of them it was said that they would take lots of wickets only on soft wickets.

A full tour of England with incessant cricket played six days a week, and travelling once every two or three days to different venues, week after week is a demanding task for the players of any foreign team.

For the players who rarely play a three-day match, a tour beginning on April 29 and ending on September 13, with only three days off on June 22, 23 and 24 is a tough proposition, especially when all except three or four are quite unaccustomed to the English climate, and more important still, to English food. If an army travels on its stomach, so does a cricket team from India in England.

So, when C. K. Nayudu went to England as captain of the Indian team in 1932, the English crowd at each and every country ground looked forward to seeing a few sixes, Nayudu did not disappoint them.

Teams

The two teams for the historic inaugural Test ... England: D. R. Jardine (Capt.), F. R. Brown (Surrey), R. W. V. Robins (Middlesex), B. Sutcliffe and Helmes (Yorkshire), Paynter (Lancashire), Voce (Nottingghamshire), Bowes (Yorkshire), Ames (Kent), W. Hammond (Gloucestershire) Wolley (Kent). 12th Man: Paine (Warwickshire).

India: C. K. Nayudu (Capt.), J. G. Navie, Wazir Ali, P. E. Palia, Nomal, S. M. H. Colah, Nazir Ali, Jehangir Khan, Lall Singh, Amar Singh and Mohamed Nisar. 12th Man: S. R. Godambe.

In the Indian team was Wazir Ali who was given a chance to prove himself again in the opening position, though his talent and experience were not in question for the role.

The only thing calling for reassurance was whether he had fully recovered from the shell-shock of having been felled by bespectacled Bill Bowes' lifting snorter at Lord's.

Lall Singh was included for his fielding prowess and to be enabled to prove further his batting worth. Ghulam Mohommed and Mrshall had perhaps to wait for the next match.

Formidable total

After England had made somewhat of a formidable total of 259 when they batted first, India were cruising along quite well and were 139 for 4 wickets and the gallant knock of 40 by skipper C. K. Nayudu with his injured hand, Colah was joined by Nazir Ali hobbling on his injured leg.

This was indeed cruel luck for India as Nazir Ali, bright allrounder had stood second in the batting averages till then with 40.89 next only to Nayudu's 63.67. Of course, Nayudu had made a total of 764 runs in first class games to Nazir Ali's 368, but then he had played 15 innings, six more than Nazir Ali. In bowling, Nayudu had taken 11 wickets at 30.00 apiece while Nazir Ali's bag was 10 at 25.60 apiece.

It was tragic that both Nazir Ali and Nayudu should have received serious injuries in the course of the Test match at Lord's which reduced their effectiveness considerably.

After Nayudu was out for 40 in the first innings with India on 139, some great batting followed and at lunch, India were 153 for 4 wickets and they were 106 runs behind on the England's first innings score of 259. But after lunch, the England bowlers came back with 'fire' and Jardin attacked with pace spin and India were all out for 189 in the first innings. Wazir Ali made 31 and Naomal 33 and these two gave skipper Nayudu all the help.

However, Jardin, the English captain, turned to Voce who gave the ball everything he had. He pitched the ball well up to the batsmen and made it difficult for the Indian batsmen to play. So, when the Indians were out for 189, that gave the England team a lead of 70 runs.

Jardin 85 not out

In the second innings, Douglas Jardin - the captain led the way for England to forge ahead with an effervescent knock of 85 not out and he had a good match as he got 79 in the first innings. Paynler made 54, England made 275 for 8 wickets and closed their innings at that score.

With a lead of 345 runs, England did not lose the tight grip that they held and went on to dismiss India for 187 runs in the second innings to win the match by 158 runs.

Here's how the game went: 1st day 25th June: England 259 (Jardin 79, L. Ames 65, L. Hammond 35; Nisara for 93). India 30 for no loss at close. 2nd day: 27th June: India all out 189 (C. K. Nayudu 40, Naomal 33, Nazir Ali 31; Bower 4 for 49, Vace 3 for 23). England: 2nd Innings: 141 for 4 wkts (Paynter 50 not out, Jardine 25 not out). 3rd day - 28th June: England 275 for 8 wkts dec (Jardine 85 not out, Paynter 54, Robins 30; Jehangir Khan 4 for 60). India 2nd Innings: All out 187 (Amar Singh 51, Nazir Ali 39, Lall Singh 29; W. Hammond 3 for 9). India lost by 158 runs.