India win battle of wits by innings and 8 runs

by A.C. De Silva

One of the most absorbing and keen duels between batsman and bowler was waged between England's Graveney and Mankad of India in England's first innings of the fifth and last Test of the 1951-52 series, at Chepauk in Madras. Finally India won by an innings and 8 runs.

Graveney was at the height of his powers that season and his knock of 175 in the Second Test at Bombay had given the Indian bowlers a foretaste of his style and skill. Along with Watkins, who proved a thorn on the Indian side, Graveney was England's scorer-in-chief. There was no doubt he was England's best batsman.

And at Chepauk, England fresh from their victory at Kanpur in the Fourth Test, were right on top, winning the toss and taking first knock on an excellent wicket. India had to perform uncommonly well to square the Rubber.

The first task was to get England out within a total which would not be beyond India's reach. Phadkar gave heart to the team by straight way clean bowling Lawson with only three runs on the board.

In came Graveney and Spooner and he soon set the pace for scoring although to begin with Graveney mistimed a hook and nearly put up a catch to Ghulam Ahmed at midwicket. A magnificent back-footed drive off Amarnath to the off-boundary proclaimed Graveney's mood and form. Fifty in the first first hour of the play was good going.

The fielding team were by no means happy. Something extraordinary should happen to give them the initiative.

Hazare now brought on his spinners - Mankad and Ghulam Ahmed. Ghulam tied up Spooner - Now began the battle of wits between Mankad and Graveney.

The wily Indian, reading Graveney's mind as it were, kept the ball a wee bit high in the air. He seemed to say "Come out and hit me if you can."

Graveney in his turn wanted to "fool" Mankad by pretending to come out but actually he would walk back, watch the ball and play it back to the bowler.

Ball after ball this mock act of going out to drive was performed by Graveney and on a few occasions when the ball spun out, Sen, the dapper little wicket-keeper, would gather it and bring it quickly to the bails.

Graveney would grin at Mankad, the latter would smile back but inwardly he was working out a plan. Ghulam again held Spooner in check.

Graveney faced Mankad who at once dropped at such inconvenient length that the batsman had no option except to stretch forward and play it dead. But the ball was flighted more quickly than hitherto and Graveney had no time to go back and play it.

As he stretched forward, his back heel went up even as Mankad's spin worked quickly. Sen saw his great chance and made a lightning stumping.

Sen - good form as 'keeper'

Sen, in that match, was superb. He proved a splendid ally to Mankad and Ghulam. He stumped four batsman altogether.

That stumping of Graveney proved to be the turning point of the match. Mankad was the master thereafter and he took eight England wickets for 55 runs in a total of 266. It was a magnificent piece of bowling.

India made 457 for nine wickets and declared. England were routed for 183 by Mankad (4 for 53) and Ghulam (4 for 77).

England made 266 in their second innings and that gave India the win by an innings and eight runs. The victory that eluded India came to their possession at long last!