Australian cricket team in India in 1959–60
| Australian cricket team in India in 1959–60 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Australia | India | ||
| Dates | 12 December 1959 – 28 January 1960 | ||
| Captains | Richie Benaud | Gulabrai Ramchand | |
| Test series | |||
| Result | Australia won the 5-match series 2–1 | ||
| Most runs | Norm O'Neill (376) | Nari Contractor (438) | |
| Most wickets | Richie Benaud (29) | Jasu Patel (19) | |
The Australian national cricket team toured India in the winter of 1959–60. The two teams played five Tests, with Australia winning two, India winning one, and two others being drawn. The Australians also played several matches against domestic Indian squads.
At the time of its arrival in India, the Australian cricket team was acclaimed as the strongest side in the world, having won 11 of its last 16 Tests and lost none. In the years just prior, they had not only defeated India, but also South Africa, England, and Pakistan as well. The confident Aussies, led by captain Richie Benaud, featured such names as Neil Harvey, Norm O'Neill, Ray Lindwall, and Ian Meckiff among others. Meanwhile, India had dropped 11 of its last 13 Tests, including humbling defeats at the hands of Australia, the West Indies, and England, and had not won a single one. The Indians seemed to be struggling with every aspect of the game – batting, bowling, and fielding – not to mention leadership and the maintenance of a "fighting spirit." Hence, this series between Benaud's Australians and Gulabrai Ramchand's Indian team had a true David vs. Goliath nature to it.[1]
Touring party
[edit]- Richie Benaud (captain)
- Neil Harvey (vice captain)
- Peter Burge
- Alan Davidson
- Ken Mackay
- Barry Jarman
- Colin McDonald
- Ian Meckiff
- Les Favell
- Wally Grout
- Lindsay Kline
- Ray Lindwall
- Norm O'Neill
- Gordon Rorke
- Gavin Stevens
Test matches
[edit]1st Test
[edit]12–16 December
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2nd Test
[edit]19–24 December
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The second Test at Kanpur was notable for being India's first-ever Test victory over the Australians. Indian off-spinner Jasu Patel distinguished himself, taking 14 wickets in the match (nine wickets in the first innings and five in the second). He would go on to take 19 wickets in the series.[3]
3rd Test
[edit]1–6 January
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4th Test
[edit]13–17 January
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5th Test
[edit]23–28 January
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Tour matches
[edit]Three-day: Indian Board President's XI v Australians
[edit]27–29 December
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Three-day: Indian Universities v Australians
[edit]9–11 January 1960
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- Sudhakar Adhikari (Indian Universities) made his first-class debut.[4]
- Baba Sidhaye (Indian Universities) passed 1,000 runs in first-class cricket.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ Ramchand, Pertab (18 February 2001). "When Jasu Patel wrought the miracle at Kanpur". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
- ^ "Australia in Pakistan and India, 1959-60". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
- ^ Mohapatra, Bikash (10 April 2008). "Green Park gave India its first win over Australia". Rediff. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
- ^ a b "Indian Universities v Australians, Australia in India and Pakistan 1959/60". CricketArchive. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2017.