The Nawab of Pataudi Sr remains the only Test cricketer to play for both England and India? (4 June 2002)
During his years at the famed Oxford University, the Nawab of Pataudi Sr showed enough batting skills to claim a spot in the
glittering England team that set sail for Australia in late 1932.
In the very first Test of the series, soon to be called the
Bodyline series, Pataudi Sr made a debut hundred at the Sydney
Cricket Ground, thereby following in the footsteps of his
illustrious country men - Ranjeetsinghji and Duleepsinghji. Such
was his keenness to raise the landmark that the 22-year-old
appeared on the fourth morning of the Test in exactly the same
clothing that he wore when he scored 80 not out on the previous
day.
His role in the next Test, which Australia won by 111 runs, was
minimal, but with the series level at 1-1, he was to find himself
in the headlines ahead of the third Test. On the eve of that
Test, Pataudi Sr was joined for a smoke by his friend and captain
Douglas Jardine. Trying to make use of the privacy the moment
afforded, Pataudi Sr boldly stated his objections to the Bodyline
tactic employed by Jardine to cow the great Don Bradman down. His
rebellious tone only succeeded in angering Jardine, who chucked
the former out from his team, going on to add that Pataudi would
never play for England again.
The abatement of the Bodyline controversy and the removal of
Jardine, though, saw Pataudi return to make his last appearance
as an England Test cricketer. Yet another failure in the match
against Australia at Nottingham meant that the English selectors
discarded him from future teams.
India, a fledgling cricketing nation, on the other hand, was
still keen to employ Pataudi. They appointed him captain of their
team that was due to tour England for a three-Test series in
mid-1936. But ill-health prevented Pataudi Sr from taking up the
responsibility.
A full 10 years later, though, Pataudi, at the ripe old age of
36, finally led an Indian team to Old Blighty. The team did not
disgrace itself; the Indians lost the a competitive three-Test
series 1-0. But Pataudi's decline was more marked - he made just
55 Test runs at an average of 11.00. Ill-health soon forced the
Nawab to hang up his cricketing boots.
For more details on all the above facts check out [ StatsGuru ]
[Archive]
