Honours even at Brabourne Stadium

The history of contests between India and Australia at Bombay can be neatly divided into two parts - the four Tests at the Brabourne stadium and thereafter the two at the Wankhede stadium. India has had the edge in encounters between the two countries in the city. Out of the six matches, India has won two, lost one and three have been drawn.

The Test which Australia will be playing at the Wankhede stadium from February 27 will be their first in Mumbai since October 1986. And it was in October 1956 that Australia played their first Test at the Brabourne stadium in Bombay. It was the second of the three Test series, the Australians having already taken a 1-0 led by their victory in the first Test at Madras. Batting first, India posted a modest 251 thanks in the main to Gulabrai Ramchand's fighting 109. Occupying the crease for about two days, the Australians rattled up 523 for seven declared at about three an over. The spin trio of Vinoo Mankad, Subash Gupte and Jasu Patel were harshly treated, principally by Neil Harvey who scored a masterly 140. With opening batsman Jim Burke (161), Harvey dominated a second wicket partnership of 207 runs. Burke and Burge (83) then added 137 runs for the third wicket to prolong the Indians' agony. Burke batted 504 minutes and was out in the 155th over. Ray Lindwall, who captained Australia in this game in the absence of Ian Johnson, hit a whirlwind unbeaten 48 in about 25 minutes. In arrears by 272 runs, India faced an uphill task but a stout hearted rearguard action by Pankaj Roy (79) and skipper Polly Umrigar who batted six hours for 78 helped India to save the Test, the closing score being 250 for five.

Three years later, Bombay held the third Test of the five match 1959-60 series. Surprisingly, the teams were level at one match all when they came to the Brabourne stadium, thanks to India's miraculous victory at Kanpur after they had lost by an innings at New Delhi. This game resembled the 1956 Test in some ways. In the first place, Nari Contractor held the Indian first innings together with a gallant 108, his only three figure knock in his career of 31 Tests. Abbas Ali Baig (50) and Contractor added 133 runs for the third wicket at India got 289. Harvey got another hundred, this time scoring 102. But he had to share honours with Norman O'Neill (163) with whom he added 207 runs for the third wicket. An emaciated Indian attack however held the Australians in check and none bowled better than `Bapu' Nadkarni (six for 105 off 51 overs). The visitors finished 98 ahead but Roy (57) and Contractor (43) gave India a fine start by putting on 95 runs in the second innings. However, left arm paceman Ian Meckiff brought about a collapse and the home team slid to 112 for four early on the final morning. Baig (58) and Ramnath Kenny (55 not out) figured in a rescue act by adding 109 runs for the fifth wicket and the match was honourably saved. This match saw Salim Durrani and Budhi Kunderan make their Test debuts.

Bombay staged the second Test in the three match 1964-65 series. And what a memorable game of cricket it turned out to be! Australia led off with 320 thanks to Peter Burge (80), Tom Veivers (67) and Barry Jarman (78). Veivers and Jarman added 151 runs for the sixth wicket. The Australians were unlucky to lose the services of O'Neill who fell ill shortly after the match started. India, with valuable contributions from most of their main batsmen - ML Jaisimha (66), Vijay Manjrekar (59) and MAK Pataudi (86) - secured a lead of 21 runs. In the second innings, Australia were well served by Bill Lawry (68), Brian Booth (74) and Bob Cowper (81) but there was little substance in the rest of the batting. BS Chandrasekhar and Nadkarni took four wickets each as Australia were restricted to 274. Requiring 254 for victory, India despite a splendid 56 by Dilip Sardesai at the top of the order, were facing defeat on the final morning at 122 for six. However, Pataudi (53) and Manjrekar (39) shared a 93-run seventh wicket partnership and then Chandu Borde (30 not out) had enough experience to see India through by two wickets before 42,000 spectators who were shouting themselves hoarse.

Five years later, it was Australia's turn to register their only victory at the Brabourne stadium. It was the first Test of the five Test series in 1969-70. India, thanks mainly to the efforts of Ashok Mankad (74) and Pataudi (95) and their 146-run fourth wicket partnership, put up 271 on the board, despite some fiery bowling by Graham McKenzie who took five for 69. The Indian spin trio of Bedi, Venkatraghavan and Prasanna kept the fleet footed and formidable Australian batting line up consisting of Lawry, Keith Stackpole, Ian Chappell, Ian Redpath, Doug Walters and Paul Sheahan on a leash and it was only after a protracted struggle that the visitors managed to get a lead of 74 runs. Stackpole top scored with 103. The Indian second innings was a disaster and only Ajit Wadekar (46) stood firm. But the rest of the batting crumbled and India were all out for 137 on the final morning. On the fourth evening, play was suspended for some time because of a fire in one of the stands and subsequent rioting following the controversial dismissal of Venkatraghavan who was adjudged caught behind. Australia hit off the required runs for the loss of two wickets. This was the last Test for Borde and Rusi Surti.