Ambassadors of Goodwill by Mark Peel

Author:Mark Peel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pitch Publishing
Published: 2018-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

India, Pakistan and Ceylon 1961/62

TEN years after the previous tour of India, Pakistan and Ceylon, MCC undertook a similar one in 1961/62, which Wisden called the most strenuous tour of all. During the next five months, they would play eight Tests and 16 other fixtures at a time when accommodation, facilities and travel in those parts remained taxing. Yet for all its challenges, touring the subcontinent was a unique cricketing venture, since the native population followed the game with a passion unparalleled anywhere else in the world. Thousands would turn up to see their heroes arrive at an airport, cross the street or have a net. Matches would be played in massive stadia, packed to capacity and full of noise and colour. Winning was important, but so was the mere playing of the game. Even the dullest of matches could still kindle sparks of enthusiasm, for in a country like India, where poverty shaped the lives of the majority, alternative attractions were few. Cricket offered drama, entertainment and an outlet from their usual drab lifestyles. Those protagonists who could play to the gallery and form a rapport with their admirers would have their status elevated from heroes to gods.

With May now retired from Test cricket and Cowdrey unavailable for the tour, it was no surprise that Dexter, captain of Sussex for the two previous years, should be appointed captain. His vice-captain was Mike Smith, and they, together with Richardson, Pullar and Barrington, formed the mainstay of the batting, and the spinners Allen and Lock the mainstay of the bowling, especially since the pace attack – without Trueman and Statham, who were unavailable – was entirely uncapped. The full party was E.R. Dexter (captain), M.J.K. Smith (vice-captain), D.A. Allen, R.W. Barber, K.F. Barrington, A. Brown, B.R. Knight, G.A.R. Lock, G. Millman, J.T. Murray, P.H. Parfitt, G. Pullar, P.E. Richardson, W.E. Russell, D.R. Smith and D.W. White. The manager was Tom Pearce, the chairman of Essex and a former captain of the county.

To help the players cope with local conditions, the consumer goods company Unilever was prepared to send out consignments of food, but MCC, unwilling to upset their Indian hosts, declined the offer. Simultaneously, Allsopp’s Brewery sent out a tranche of beer to every Test-playing centre, but when it reached Bombay it wasn’t allowed in because it was in a dry state.

In the main centres, the team were housed in reasonable hotels; but away from them they stayed in government rest houses, where the food and accommodation left much to be desired. At Jullundur, the chef had little idea how to prepare European food and was sacked, leaving those in the team not playing in charge of the catering. In general, there was too much rice and curried goat. On one occasion, Richardson managed to negotiate egg and chips, only to see the chef slicing potatoes on the floor and tossing them straight into the pan.

Because of the health risks, the team were told not to touch the salads and to only drink the water if it was boiled.

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