INDIAN CRICKETERS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 31, 6 February 1932, Page 12

INDIAN CRICKETERS

TO TOUR ENGLAND

(Received 6th February, 2 p.m.)

CALCUTTA, sth February. The personnel of the Indian cricket team for England is as follows:—The Maharaja of Patiala (captain), Prinea Ghanshyam (vice-captain), the Maharaja Kumar of Vizianagram (deputy-yice-captain), C. Naidu, Lieutenant \\azir Ali, Lieutenant J. Nayle, Nazir Ali, B. Kapadia, J. Noamal, Mahomed Nissar, Lall Singh, S. Godainbe, Captain Joginder Singh, Amar Singh, Ghulam Mahomed, N. Marshall, S. Colah, and P. Palia.

In a contribution to the latest "Cricketer Annual," Victor N. Narayan of Cooch Behar writes of the spirit of cricket in India, and makes the following references to the coming tour of England:—"The M.O.C. visit to India in the winter of 1926-27 naturally gave the game the impetus it needed,' the enthusiastic reception it received proving beyond all doubt the popularity of cricket. The players who went out were surprised at the progress India has made since the last touring sida visited our shores, and those who knowrealise that the time is now ripe for j India to take her place in Test cricket. Few Indian cricketers are Duleeps or • Pataudis, but I am certain that there is sufficient talent in the country t» give the English eleven a stiff game. The difficulty will be in selecting a representative , eleven. Without intending to give the slightest offence to anyone concerned, it is my humble opinion that such an eleven should be composed of and selected entirely by men who have been born and bred in India. India is a, land many times the size of England; it has a population comprising some 320 millions. Surely it is in a position to look after its own cricketmg affairs, without help or hindrance from outside?

"I feel certain of my ground when.' 1^ state that, should a touring team to England be selected with the assistance of Englishmen or sail under the leadership of an Englishman, there -will be considerable dissatisfaction in the country. The only way in which an eleven satisfactory to all parties can.' be chosen is by having a board with representatives from every cricketing centre. Trial matches should be held, and the best eleven, irrespective of class or creed, should be chosen. The sole qualification should be birth. Only when this is done will Indians feel that a representative side has gone forth! to uphold their prestige, and its progress will be keenly watched by every; cricketer in the land." \ '