India were not the only team to tour England in 1932.
A motley group of South Americans were there, too.
The only time South America played First-Class cricket as a continent.
On June 25, the same day of India's first Test match, they played against Sir Julian Cahn's XI.
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A motley group of South Americans were there, too.
The only time South America played First-Class cricket as a continent.
On June 25, the same day of India's first Test match, they played against Sir Julian Cahn's XI.
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And on this day, that year, they won the match.
Before the match, some context on Cahn.
Cahn was incredibly rich (not an exaggeration), and a great patron of cricket.
He owned a team that he also led.
How strong was Cahn's side?
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Before the match, some context on Cahn.
Cahn was incredibly rich (not an exaggeration), and a great patron of cricket.
He owned a team that he also led.
How strong was Cahn's side?
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At various times, the team included Andy Sandham, Stewie Dempster, Joe Hardstaff Jr, Bob Crisp, Denijs Morkel, Paul Gibb, Arthur Carr, Bev Lyon, Ian Peebles, Lionel Tennyson, EW Swanton.
Cahn's team 621 matches played in England and away across 18 years.
They lost only 19.
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Cahn's team 621 matches played in England and away across 18 years.
They lost only 19.
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Just over one defeat a year.
Cahn led the side despite being an incompetent cricketer.
This made their record even more enviable (for they essentially played with ten men).
But more on Cahn and his idiosyncrasies in some other thread.
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Cahn led the side despite being an incompetent cricketer.
This made their record even more enviable (for they essentially played with ten men).
But more on Cahn and his idiosyncrasies in some other thread.
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The idea of was of EWS Thomson, Honorary Secretary of Argentine Cricket Association.
Thomson went as manager of the side.
The team was led by Clement Gibson.
Gibson had led Argentina to their famous win against Plum Warner's Englishmen in 1926.
He was a fine cricketer.
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Thomson went as manager of the side.
The team was led by Clement Gibson.
Gibson had led Argentina to their famous win against Plum Warner's Englishmen in 1926.
He was a fine cricketer.
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Gibson was studying in Cambridge when Warwick Armstrong's Australians toured there 1921.
The Australians lost their first match against Archie MacLaren's England XI.
Gibson, only 20 at that time, had bowled unchanged to take 6-64.
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The Australians lost their first match against Archie MacLaren's England XI.
Gibson, only 20 at that time, had bowled unchanged to take 6-64.
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There were also the famous Ayling brothers of Argentina, Dennet and Cyril, the all-rounders. Their brothers, Cecil and Eric, also played for Argentina, but were not on this tour.
The original side consisted of ten Argentines, four Brazilians, and a Chilean.
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The original side consisted of ten Argentines, four Brazilians, and a Chilean.
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Two Brazilians – OT Cunningham and HC Morriss – pulled out.
John Naumann of Cambridge and Sussex, who had played in Sao Paulo, was named replacement. But he opted out as well.
Alfred Jackson of Chile joined the touring party 15 days after the commencement of the tour.
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John Naumann of Cambridge and Sussex, who had played in Sao Paulo, was named replacement. But he opted out as well.
Alfred Jackson of Chile joined the touring party 15 days after the commencement of the tour.
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And Jackson turned out to be the best batter of the party.
The South Americans won 2 and lost 3 First-class matches.
Their two wins came against Oxford and this side.
Cahn's team got 413.
Denijs Morkel (16 Test matches for South Africa) got 251 of these. Gibson took 4-107.
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The South Americans won 2 and lost 3 First-class matches.
Their two wins came against Oxford and this side.
Cahn's team got 413.
Denijs Morkel (16 Test matches for South Africa) got 251 of these. Gibson took 4-107.
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The South Americans were bowled out for 338. This, after Jackson (62) and Dennet Ayling (59) added 118 for the opening wicket.
At stumps, Cahn's men were 24/0. They led by 99 runs with all 10 wickets in hand.
And on the final morning, they reached 56/0, a lead of 131.
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At stumps, Cahn's men were 24/0. They led by 99 runs with all 10 wickets in hand.
And on the final morning, they reached 56/0, a lead of 131.
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Then the Ayling brothers took over. Fast-medium bowler Cyril took 5-48, while the off-spinner Dennet got 5-40.
This was the second time in the history of First-class cricket that two brothers took five-wicket hauls in the same innings.
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This was the second time in the history of First-class cricket that two brothers took five-wicket hauls in the same innings.
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[Interestingly, the first had happened less than ten days ago. The brothers were Arthur (5-95) and Sam (5-68) Staples of Nottinghamshire.]
Cahn's XI were bowled out for 150. The target was 226.
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Cahn's XI were bowled out for 150. The target was 226.
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Jackson (78) and Dennet Ayling (86*) then added 113 for the opening wicket.
The South Americans won by 5 wickets.
The South Americans won by 5 wickets.
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