English cricket team in India, Pakistan and Ceylon in 1951–52
A cricket team from England organised by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) toured India from 5 October 1951 to 2 March 1952. During this tour England team also played first class matches in Pakistan and Ceylon. In the Test matches, the side was known as "England"; in other matches, it was known as "MCC". Test series was drawn 1-1, with three matches being drawn. Background. It was reported in April 1950 that the MCC would tour India, Pakistan and Ceylon in the 1951–52 season. The squad would play games  over three-and-a-half months in India, over a month in Pakistan and over fifteen days in Ceylon. The English team. The manager was Geoffrey Howard. The team was announced in late July 1951. Poole replaced Jack Ikin, who was injured, before the team left. Leadbeater replaced Rhodes, who was forced to return home with an injury, early in the tour. Many of England's leading players made themselves unavailable for the tour, and the resultant team was widely regarded as a "second team". Eight of the touring team – Howard, Carr, Leadbeater, Kenyon, Poole, Rhodes, Ridgway and Spooner – had  no Test experience, while none of the team had played more than nine Tests. None of the team had toured Australia and New Zealand in the Test series of 1950–51. Test matches. 5th Test. This was India's first Test victory, after 20 years and 25 Tests.