Watch: Mohammad Nissar sent Herbert Sutcliffe’s stumps cartwheeling to claim India’s first ever wicket in Test cricket.
India joined the ICC in 1926, along with the West Indies and New Zealand. Later that year, Arthur Gilligan’s MCC toured India. Impressed by the cricket, particularly CK Nayudu’s iconic hundred at the Bombay Gymkhana, Gilligan advised the Indians to found a board.
The BCCI was founded in December 1928. Three and a half years later, an all-India team landed on English shores. The 26 first-class matches (they won nine, drew nine, and lost eight) in their itinerary included their first ever Test match.
The Yorkshire opening pair of Herbert Sutcliffe and Percy Holmes had put up a world-record stand of 555 against Essex fewer than ten days previously. They were not expected to be bothered by an attack consisting of debutants.
Particularly Sutcliffe, whose Test career aggregate stood at 3,622 runs at 69.65 at that point. The legend would finish with 4,555 runs at 60.73. That average would never drop below 60 over a 54-match Test career.
But this was not Sutcliffe’s day. Five came off the first over, from Mohammad Nissar, and another three at the other end, off Amar Singh. With the first ball of the third over, Nissar sent Sutcliffe’s stump cartwheeling.
Frank Woolley got off the mark off the second ball he faced. Holmes ran for two, but was bowled next ball. Woolley himself was run out brilliantly by Lall Singh in the seventh over.
England were 30-3, but as it often happens, despite the spirited start, the debutants were no match for a unit of seasoned cricketers. England captain Douglas Jardine made 79 and wicketkeeper Les Ames 65, and England made 259. Nissar finished with 5-93, the first five-wicket haul by an Indian.
India responded with 189 as Bill Bowes claimed 4-49 and Bill Voce 3-23. They then had England at 67-4, but once again Jardine (85 not out) stood up, this time with Eddie Paynter (54) for company. Jahangir Khan claimed 4-60 as England set India 346.
India were bowled out for 187, but not before No.9 Amar Singh (51) made their first ever Test match fifty.
