INDIAN DIFFICULTIES

Evening Post, Issue 13, 16 January 1936, Page 11

INDIAN DIFFICULTIES

ENGLISH TOUR IN JEOPARDY

ECHO OF 1932 TEST

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received January 16, 11 a.m.) CALCUTTA, January 15. Trouble which started in the 1932 Test match against England at Lord's threatens to ruin the Indians' cricket visit to England next summer.

When C. K. Nayudu was made captain for the 1932 Test several players refused to play under him. The trouble was temporarily smoothed over but it was brought back into India, fermented during Jardine's visit, and has now broken out afresh.

India, for three unofficial Test matches against Mr. F. Tarrant's Australian team, had three captains. Amar' Singh, who, with Nissar, is India's best bowler, has not played in any match, and C. K. Nayudu did not play in the1 third match when Wazir Ali was captain.

Dissensions between the Hindu and Moslem players have arisen because it is said that the captain will not give the players of the other faith a chance.

Meanwhile Pataudi, who was elected captain for the coming tour of England, has not play,ed in any of the three matches. It was announced that he is in ill health, but he has been practising at the nets for two hours at a stretch to five bowlers.

The All-Indian team, whicn recently defeated Tarrant's XI, was weakened by the refusal or inability of the following players to participate: C. K. Nayudu, who claimed he needs rest; Pataudi, alleged illness; Amarnath, alleged injuries; Amar Singh, no reason; Merchant, alleged injuries; Nazir All reported to have been bitten by a mad dog; Jai, unable to get leave; Lall Singh, no reason. As a result Wazir Ali was practically leading the second team.

Critics expressed the opinion that Indian cricketers fear to risk further spoiling their reputations by their failures against Ryder/j men. The Indian team which toured England in 1932 had some difficulty in regard to the captaincy and, after one or two disappointments, the choice fell on the Maharajah of Porbandar, who had with him as vice-captain K. S. Ganshyamsinhji, of Limbdi. For reasons apart from cricket (remarked a. writer in "Wisden's") the necessity existed of having a person of distinction and importance at the head of affairs, and it was almost entirely because of this that Porbandar led the team. Admirably fitted though he was for the task, his abilities as a cricketer were not commensurate with the position he occupied, and C. K. Nayudu, easily their best batsman, and a man of high character and directness, took over the duties of captain in most of the important matches, including the Test, with skill and no small measure of success.