WEST INDIES v INDIA 1952-53

At Bridgetown, February 7, 9, 10, 11, 12. West Indies won by 142 runs. On Stollmeyer winning the toss and choosing first innings on turf affected by rain, everything went well for a long time for the West Indies. Pairaudeau and Stollmeyer began with a partnership of 52, and Weekes and Walcott batted with such assurance that, with four men out, the total stood at 173. Then Gupte and Mankad changed ends and, helped by poor batting caused such a breakdown with their spinners that eight wickets were down for 222. Fortunately Walcott found unexpected help from Ramadhin, who defended stubbornly while his partner attacked the bowling, taking two 6's from Mankad. So the ninth wicket realised 58 and the West Indies recovered.

India began their reply by losing two wickets for 44, but Apte and Hazare, after a careful start, added 112 before Hazare mistimed a pull and was taken at backward short leg. Then came a collapse against the left-handed Valentine, the last seven wickets going down for 97, of which Umrigar obtained 56. Leading by 43, the West Indies lost three men for 47, but Stollmeyer and Gomez put on 58. This stand having been broken, Phadkar fast-medium, caused trouble and, despite some resistance from Walcott and Christiani, the innings ended for 123 more runs.

Set 272 to get, India never looked like succeeding. Two men were out for 13 before Roy and Ramchand, taking toll of the occasional loose ball, added 57. Ramadhin followed with a splendid spell of bowling and, with Gaekwad unable to bat, the last six wickets fell for 59.