When Australia registered an unexpected triumph

In the third part of the series of articles being run by CricInfo as part of the build up to the ensuing India-Australia Tests, the author looks back on the visit of the first official Australian team, which on their way home from England, played

When Australia registered an unexpected triumph

India first toured Australia in 1947-48 but it was not until 1956 that Australia made their maiden visit to India

England 2 Australia 1

Australians in England, 1956

The gradual decline in Australia's cricketing strength since the retirement of Sir Donald Bradman at the end of his triumphant tour of England in 1948 was not halted by the team of seventeen players led by Ian Johnson in 1956