Published: Sep 09, 2015, 11:09 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 07, 2016, 09:35 PM (IST)
By the time this article will be published, Queen Elizabeth II will have become the longest-serving British monarch. She will have surpassed the previous ‘record’ of 63 years 216 days. Though Queen Elizabeth II was formally coronated June 2, 1953, she had already succeeded her father George VI on February 6 the previous year. As a result, the following day, February 7, 1953, was deemed an unscheduled rest day in the historic Madras Test between England and India. Abhishek Mukherjee re-lives the day.
Though England did not send a full-strength side to India in 1951-52, they still boasted of the likes of Roy Tattersall, Don Kenyon, Derek Shackleton, and Dick Spooner. The side also had two cricketers who would emerge as England’s all-time greats: Tom Graveney and Brian Statham.
[read-also]11261,22902,217400[/read-also]
After the first three Tests at Feroz Shah Kotla, Brabourne Stadium, and Eden Gardens were drawn, England triumphed at Green Park. The left-arm spin of the unheralded Malcolm Hilton (4 for 32 and 5 for 61) and the off-breaks of Tattersall (6 for 48 and 2 for 77) helped England bowl the hosts out for 121 and 157. Allan Watkins’ 66 was instrumental in securing an 82-run lead, while young Graveney smashed 48 not out in the fourth innings.
Donald Carr, returning for the fifth Test at Madras, elected to bat. Dattu Phadkar removed Frank Lowson early, but Spooner, Graveney, and Jack Robertson all got runs. At stumps on Day One England were 224 for 5 with Robertson and Carr at the crease.
By the time the players left the ground, however, the dreaded news had reached Madras.
George, no more
Meanwhile, back in England, George VI’s health had been deteriorating steadily. Excessive smoking had led to lung cancer, while he also suffered from arteriosclerosis and lumbar sympathectomy, and, according to some sources, thromboangiitis obliterans. Heir-apparent Princess Elizabeth had already been representing him in some appearances.
Despite being strongly recommended to stay in bed, George VI defied medical advice: he went to Heathrow on January 31, 1952 to see Elizabeth and her husband Philip off on a trip to Australia via Kenya.
Six days later, he was found dead at Sandringham House, Norfolk. The doctors diagnosed coronary thrombosis. By the time Elizabeth landed in Heathrow from Kenya, she was already Queen Elizabeth II.
Random trivia: When Statham was selected to play for Lancashire, it was the first time in ages that Lancashire did not have a George in their side. As a not-too-obvious result John Brian Statham was nicknamed ‘George’.
Elizabeth II: A word or two
When Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born April 21, 1926, she was the third in line of succession. The possibility of her ascent as queen was, however, not considered seriously at this time: Edward (her uncle, and then Prince of Wales) was only 32. When George V passed (her grandfather) passed away on January 20, 1936, Edward VIII was the natural successor.
However, Edward caused a ruckus when he decided to marry Wallis Simpson. Wallis had divorced once (her first husband was living) and was undergoing a second divorce case. There were speculations that the people would not accept the marriage, for the church did not allow remarriage after divorce, and the King of England was the titular head of the church.
They proposed an arrangement according to which Edward could marry Wallis, but the latter would not become queen — in other words, a morganatic marriage. Edwards chose to abdicate: he remains the only British monarch to do so.
This made Albert Frederick Arthur George (George VI) the next king, on December 11, 1936. Edward VIII had ruled for less than a year. At an age of 10, Elizabeth was suddenly heir-apparent. She was Queen of England at 26. She remains the Queen at 89.
Random trivia: Elizabeth II became Queen on February 6, 1952, but was coronated on June 3, 1953. The one-day ceremony took 16 months of preparation.
George VI and cricket
Though cricket-lovers remember him as the King who had knighted Don Bradman, George VI was also Patron of MCC, Surrey, and Lancashire. He was also a regular visitor to Lord’s Tests. However, he was a decent cricketer as well. They later named at least one ground after him — King George VI Playing Fields at Kegworth, which hosts Leicestershire Premier League matches.
Wisden wrote: “When Prince Albert performed the hat-trick on the private ground on the slopes below Windsor Castle, where the sons and grandsons of Edward VII used to play regularly. A left-handed batsman and bowler, the King bowled King Edward VII, King George V and the present Duke of Windsor in three consecutive balls, thus proving himself the best Royal cricketer since Frederick, Prince of Wales, in 1751, took a keen interest in the game. The ball is now mounted in the mess-room of the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.”
Note: Wisden seems to have forgotten Prince Christian Victor, the only Royal cricketer to play at First-Class level.
[read-also]125065[/read-also]
England’s other loss
As news reached India, the authorities shifted the rest day hastily to the following day, which was scheduled to be the second day of the Test. George VI was, after all, the last King of India.
Vinoo Mankad came into his elements the day that followed as the players walked out donning black bands: his 8 for 55 ensured England were bowled out for 266 after being 244 for 5 at one stage. Pankaj Roy (111) and Polly Umrigar (130*) got hundreds, and India acquired a 191-run lead.
Robertson and Watkins then staged a revival: England reached 117 for 3, but Mankad (4 for 53) prevailed again. Ghulam Ahmed (4 for 77) supported well, and India won by an innings and 8 runs — their first ever Test win.
Brief scores:
England 266 (Dick Spooner 66, Jack Robertson 77, Donald Carr 40; Vinoo Mankad 8 for 55) and 183 (Jack Robertson 56, Allan Watkins 48; Ghulam Ahmed 4 for 77, Vinoo Mankad 4 for 53) lost to India 457 (Pankaj Roy 111, Dattu Phadkar 61, Polly Umrigar 130*) by an innings and 8 runs.
(Abhishek Mukherjee is the Chief Editor at CricketCountry and CricLife. He blogs here and can be followed on Twitter here.)
