Thirty-one years ago, after two rain-affected draws, England and India squared off for a series decider at The Oval. And, to being with, it all seemed to be going smoothly for England. Wisden described their batting on the first day as `exhilarating'. They racked up 355 runs, with opener John Jameson setting the tone with a muscular 82. And, even though England had a middle-order wobble, Alan Knott (90) and Richard Hutton (81) steadied the innings with a new record seventh-wicket partnership for England against India.

As had been threatened, Friday was washed out and early on Saturday morning, India looked as if they were going to be too when both their openers were back in the hutch with 26 on the board. But Ajit Wadekar (48) and Dilip Sardesai (54) took India back on course before Farokh Engineer bustled India to 284.

England were undoubtedly ahead on points but they weren't prepared for the knock-out punch soon to come from wrist-spinner Bhagwat Chandrasekhar. After Chandra deflected a Brian Luckhurst drive onto the stumps to run out Jameson, you knew it was going to be his day. The England batsman succumbed to his mastery and the innings fizzed away quicker than one of Chandra's topspinners. England were all out for 101, their lowest total against India, and Chandra finished with 6 for 38. The realisation that India were now favourites for the match and the series reverberated around The Oval.

Their target was 173. After a few early scares, the Indian nerves were frayed, and when Wadekar was run out on the Monday morning with no addition to the score (76), they were jangling big-time. But again it was Sardesai, this time with Gundappa Viswanath, who restored order with careful batting to take India within touching distance of the win. Engineer rubbed the salt in England's wounded pride with some lusty blows - but left Abid Ali the honour of hitting the winning runs …

Almanack report
Scorecard

Freddie Auld is on the staff of Wisden.com.

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