The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : The beginning of India’s Test journey, at Lord’s, 75 years ago

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The beginning of India’s Test journey, at Lord’s, 75 years ago

S. Dinakar

CRICKET / C.K. Nayudu’s men took on Jardine & Co.

C.K. Nayudu.

India entered Test cricket 75 years ago at Lord’s. It was on June 25, 1932, that Cottari Kanakaiya Nayudu walked out for the toss with Douglas Jardine. With the spin of the coin, history was made.

Reports from the match inform us that around 25,000 spectators greeted Test cricket’s latest entrant at the hallowed venue. The Indians had impressed in the tour games preceding the one-off Test. The crowd was expectant.

Formidable opponent

Nayudu and his men were meeting a formidable adversary. Opening the England innings was the masterful Herbert Sutcliffe, someone who constructed monuments at the top of the order. Walter Hammond dismantled attacks in the middle order with a barrage of shots, none more beautiful than his immaculate cover drive. Pictures from that era reflect the quality of the stroke’s execution from Hammond — head still and body perfectly balanced.

Frank Woolley, who used to slice open an attack rather than destroy it, added left-handed elegance to the line-up. Another southpaw, Eddie Paynter, was a man for crisis situations. Leading the side was the ruthless Jardine, among the game’s greatest strategists. Pages from the past tell us that Jardine gave enough indications during the home season about employing a game-plan — leg-side theory and body line bowling — that would rock a gentleman’s sport.

The fast and furious Harold Larwood was missing from the English attack for the Test, but Jardine still possessed in Bill Voce, an outstanding left-arm paceman, who, it was said, could jolt batsmen with steep bounce. Partnering Voce was a probing right-arm fast-medium bowler with a similar sounding name, Bill Bowes.

The bowlers were backed by Leslie Ames, who, before the arrival of Adam Gilchrist, was widely believed to be the greatest wicketkeeper-batsman the game had seen.

Capable pace attack

Interestingly, India, in its maiden Test, had a pair of incisive opening bowlers. Mohammad Nissar, commentators of the time claimed, was genuinely fast. Although sharp, Amar Singh was considered a swing bowler capable of sending down lengthy spells. Together, they could strike.

Jardine chose to bat and England ran into a truckload of trouble. Nissar yorked Sutcliffe for three in his second over, and then, castled Percy Holmes in the same over. Soon Woolley was brilliantly run out by the swift and accurate Lall Singh. England was tottering at 19 for three.

Amar Singh bowled Hammond after the maestro had made 35, and Nayadu, with a mix of slow medium seam and off-spin, struck two quick blows. England was bailed out by Jardine’s dogged 79 and a valuable 65 by Ames, who survived an early stumping chance. Still, dismissing the host for 259 meant a triumph for India. Nissar’s five for 93 was an exemplary effort.

Plucky effort

Voce and Bowes combined effectively as India was bowled out for 189, skipper Nayadu’s knock of 40 — he batted with a bruised hand — being the highest contribution. The Indian skipper was a lithe athlete at 46.

England, leading by 70, declared at 275 for eight, Jardine, again, tormenting the Indian bowlers with an unbeaten 85. Paynter made 54, while Jehangir Khan scalped four with his precise medium pacers.

India, chasing 346, was bowled out for 187. Amar Singh blazed an entertaining 51 down the order, but opener Naoomal Jaoomal and Wazir Ali could not consolidate on starts.

India went down by 158 runs, but earned the appreciation of the critics for its bowling and fielding.

Importantly, India had not been daunted by its opponent.

(To be continued)

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