In the first of a two part series on India-Australia Tests at Madras, the author looks back on the three games played at the Corporation (Nehru) stadium.

Madras (or Chennai) has hosted seven Test matches between India and Australia, the most for any venue in this country. And like in Bombay (or Mumbai) the story of these Tests is neatly divided into two phases - the three Tests played at the Corporation (or Nehru) stadium and the four Tests held at Chepauk.

In fact the first ever Test between the two countries in this country was played at the Nehru stadium in October 1956. The Australians had been `Lakerised' during the Ashes battle in England and then lost to Pakistan by nine wickets in the one off Test they played before coming to India. They could not have been in a very confident frame of mind. India on the other hand had their morale boosted by a 2-0 victory over New Zealand the previous season.

And yet, Australia surprisingly called the shots early in the first Test. They dismissed India for 161 with Vijay Manjrekar top scoring with 41. Richie Benaud showed early that he was to be a thorn in India's flesh by taking seven for 72. India however hit back through the spinners and midway through the third day, Australia were 200 for eight. However Ian Johnson, at No 9 scored a gallant 73 and along with the last two men Pat Crawford and Gil Langley lifted the total to 319. A dispirited Indian team then fared badly against Ray Lindwall who took seven for 43 and were all out for 153. That no batsman got into the 30s tells the sorry story of the Indian batting and the Australians completed a surprising victory by an innings and five runs to go one up in the series.

Three seasons later, India and Australia met again at Madras for the fourth Test of the five match series. The teams were level at one match all which was quite a surprise for Australia seemed much the stronger team. Yet the Indian bowlers did a commendable job by restricting Australia to 342, compiled over the better part of two days. Les Favell scored 101, his only Test match hundred, after coming into the side only on the morning of the match with Gavin Stevens indisposed. Norman O'Neill (40) and Peter Burge (35) made valuable contributions in the middle order while Ken Mackay who took 3-1/2 hours for 89 - his highest Test score - held the late order batting together. The Indian batsmen failed twice and scores of 149 and 138 meant defeat by innings and 55 runs with a day to spare. Budhi Kunderan, playing in only his second Test, shone in both innings with 71 and 33. Ramnath Kenny contributed 33 in the first innings and the inform Nari Contractor scored 41 in the second. But it was a dismal showing by the rest. Benaud had a match haul of eight for 86 as Australia went 2-1 up in the series.

Madras again hosted the first Test of the three game series in 1964 when like in 1956, Australia played in India while returning from England. The Madras Test was marked by fluctuating fortunes before Australia won by 139 runs. Batting first, Australia slid from 127 for one to 211 all out on the first evening. Opener Bill Lawry top scored with 62. The wrecker-in-chief was Nadkarni who took five for 31. India with skipper Pataudi scoring 128 not out, took a first innings lead of 65 runs. Pataudi incidentally emulated the feat of his father who scored a hundred in his first Test against Australia in the Bodyline series 32 years before. Pace spearhead Graham McKenzie took six for 58. Australia however hit back hard in the second innings. With skipper Bob Simpson (77) and Lawry (41) putting on 91 runs for the first wicket and with Burge (60), Tom Veivers (74) and John Martin (39) bolstering the middle and late order, Australia rattled up 397 to set the Indians a tough victory target of 333. Nadkarni took six for 91 to finish with match figures of 11 for 122. India, despite a gallant 94 by Hanumant Singh, crumbled to 193 all out, shortly before tea on the final day. McKenzie finished with match figures of ten for 91. Australia thus won all the three Test matches they played at the Nehru stadium.

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