The summer of 1952 saw India touring England in a challenging Test series marked by difficult batting conditions, moving Dukes balls, and a strong English attack led by Fred Trueman and Alec Bedser. The second Test of the series, played at Old Trafford, Manchester from July 10 to 15, 1952, turned into a compelling battle of discipline, survival, and resilience.
England, led by Len Hutton, dominated large phases of the match, especially with the bat as Denis Compton and Bill Edrich constructed big innings on a slow Manchester surface. India, captained by Vijay Hazare, fought bravely with the bat in both innings to force a draw, thanks to the defiance of Pankaj Roy, Vijay Manjrekar, and Polly Umrigar, who absorbed enormous pressure.
Despite losing the first Test badly, India showed significant improvement, demonstrating character and patience that helped them walk away with a hard-earned draw at Old Trafford.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | England vs. India – 2nd Test |
| Dates | 10–15 July 1952 |
| Venue | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| Toss | England won the toss and elected to bat |
| Result | Match Drawn |
| Match Format | 5-day Test |
| Umpires | F. P. Lee & G. H. Pope |
| Significance | A fighting draw for India after a difficult start to the series |
Team Lineups
| India (Playing XI) | England (Playing XI) |
|---|---|
| Vijay Hazare (c) | Len Hutton (c) |
| Pankaj Roy | Reg Simpson |
| Vinoo Mankad | Tom Graveney |
| Polly Umrigar | Denis Compton |
| Vijay Manjrekar | Bill Edrich |
| Dattu Phadkar | Godfrey Evans (wk) |
| Gul Mohammad | Peter May |
| Ghulam Ahmed | Trevor Bailey |
| Rusi Modi | Alec Bedser |
| Madhav Apte | Fred Trueman |
| Probir Sen (wk) | Jim Laker |
England 1st Innings – 347 all out
England made the most of favorable batting conditions at the start of the Test. Denis Compton (88) and Bill Edrich (80) stitched a brilliant partnership in the middle order, stabilizing the innings after India took early wickets.
Len Hutton (64) provided a solid foundation, while Tom Graveney (45) added useful runs. India’s bowling attack, led by Vinoo Mankad (5/105), fought bravely but struggled to contain England’s experienced batting lineup.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Len Hutton (c) | 64 | c Hazare b Mankad |
| Reg Simpson | 12 | b Phadkar |
| Tom Graveney | 45 | c Sen b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Denis Compton | 88 | b Mankad |
| Bill Edrich | 80 | b Mankad |
| Peter May | 23 | c Roy b Mankad |
| Godfrey Evans (wk) | 18 | c Gul Mohammad b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Trevor Bailey | 7 | b Phadkar |
| Alec Bedser | 2 | lbw Mankad |
| Jim Laker | 4 | c Umrigar b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Fred Trueman | 1* | Not out |
| Extras | 3 | |
| Total | 347 all out | 112.4 overs |
India bowling:
Mankad 5/105, Ghulam Ahmed 3/74, Phadkar 2/61
India 1st Innings – 174 all out
India’s batting struggled against the deadly English pace-spin combination, particularly Fred Trueman (4/27) whose pace and movement were lethal. Alec Bedser (3/53) added further pressure.
Pankaj Roy (54) stood tall with a determined half-century, while Manjrekar (23) showed promise. But regular wickets prevented India from building partnerships, and they were bowled out for 174, conceding a 173-run lead.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Pankaj Roy | 54 | c Evans b Trueman |
| Madhav Apte | 18 | b Bedser |
| Vijay Hazare (c) | 7 | b Trueman |
| Polly Umrigar | 12 | lbw Laker |
| Vijay Manjrekar | 23 | c Evans b Bedser |
| Rusi Modi | 8 | b Trueman |
| Dattu Phadkar | 10 | b Bedser |
| Vinoo Mankad | 9 | b Laker |
| Gul Mohammad | 15 | c Compton b Trueman |
| Ghulam Ahmed | 6 | c May b Laker |
| Probir Sen (wk) | 2* | Not out |
| Extras | 10 | |
| Total | 174 all out | 63.5 overs |
England bowling:
Trueman 4/27, Bedser 3/53, Laker 3/52
England 2nd Innings – 181/6 declared
With a big lead in hand, England played briskly, aiming to set India a challenging fourth-innings target. Hutton (35) and Compton (46) batted confidently, while Peter May (41) added valuable runs.
Mankad continued to be India’s standout bowler, picking up 3 wickets and keeping England from running away with the match.
England declared at 181/6, giving India a target of 355.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Len Hutton | 35 | c Sen b Mankad |
| Reg Simpson | 16 | lbw Phadkar |
| Tom Graveney | 29 | c Hazare b Mankad |
| Denis Compton | 46 | b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Bill Edrich | 11 | c Roy b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Peter May | 41 | b Mankad |
| Godfrey Evans | 3* | Not out |
| Trevor Bailey | 0* | Not out |
| Total | 181/6 declared | 64 overs |
India 2nd Innings – 290/6 (Match Drawn)
Facing a near-impossible fourth-innings target, India showed remarkable fight and determination to save the match.
The star of the innings was Polly Umrigar (110), who played one of his greatest Test knocks, confident, composed, and technically sound. His partnership with Vijay Manjrekar (63) was the turning point that frustrated England.
Hazare (38) and Roy (29) contributed vital runs, ensuring India batted out the final day safely.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Pankaj Roy | 29 | c Evans b Trueman |
| Madhav Apte | 18 | b Bedser |
| Vijay Hazare (c) | 38 | c Compton b Bailey |
| Polly Umrigar | 110* | Not out |
| Vijay Manjrekar | 63 | c Evans b Laker |
| Rusi Modi | 12 | b Bedser |
| Dattu Phadkar | 11* | Not out |
| Gul Mohammad | DNB | |
| Vinoo Mankad | DNB | |
| Ghulam Ahmed | DNB | |
| Probir Sen (wk) | DNB | |
| Extras | 9 | |
| Total | 290/6 |
Match Drawn
Highlights of the Match
- Polly Umrigar’s unbeaten 110 was one of his finest rearguard innings.
- Vinoo Mankad showcased his all-round excellence with 8 wickets in the match.
- India’s determined 4th-innings batting turned the match from likely defeat to a commendable draw.
- Compton (88 & 46) and Edrich (80) drove England’s strong first-innings performance.
- Fred Trueman’s fiery spell (4/27) rattled India early.
- The draw gave India confidence in an otherwise tough 1952 tour.