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XtraTime Web Desk: Alec Bedser and the rest of Surrey attack were left stunned by Sarobindu Nath ‘Shute’ Banerjee and CS Chandu Sarwate as they stitched a remarkable 249 runs for the last wicket in the tour match at The Oval on this day in 1946. Both Shute Banerjee (121) and Chandu Sarwate (124*) scored hundreds to leave the Surrey cricketers shell shocked. It was the second highest last wicket partnership in the history of first class cricket, a record that still stands. The Indian team led by Nawab of Pataudi embarked on a four months long tour to England. The visitors did not have a great start to the tour, losing to Worcestershire by16 runs. The next game against Oxford University was a draw. The Indians travelled to London to play Surrey at The Oval. It was this match which set the tone of the tour. The Oval ground still displayed the effects of World War II. The pavilions and stands were badly damaged by the German bombings during the war. The square remained fenced off for six years and was not expected to be fit for hosting matches. The grounds men did a splendid job to get the ground ready for the tour match. The Indians were dealt a blow before the start of the match as both Pataudi and Lala Amarnath were unable to take the field due to cold. Vijay Merchant led the team in place of Pataudi. Merchant’s decision to bat first on a good Oval track was vindicated as the Indians struggled against the Surrey bowlers. Playing only his second first class match, Alec Bedser (went on to make his England debut in five weeks time) wrecked havoc with his in-swingers and leg cutters, reducing the Indians to 205/9. With the score at 205/9, No. 11 Shute Banerjee walked out to join No. 10 Chandu Sarwate. Little did the Surrey bowlers know that both Banerjee and Sarwate was no mug with the bats. Both had a couple of centuries under their names in Ranji Trophy. In 1945-46, the two had opened the innings for East Zone against the Australian Services team. It was Sarwate’s first game of the tour. Banerjee had already scored a fighting 59 against Worcestershire in the first tour match. The two started their innings on a cautious note, picking the gaps with comfortable ease. Surrey was weakened as England bowler Alf Gover had to leave the field after injuring his heel. It was left to Bedser but both Indian batsmen saw off his spell. By the end of the Day 1, Sarwate was batting on 107 runs with Shute unbeaten on 87 runs. The score was 398 for 9. Both teams returned after a break on Sunday. Banerjee completed his hundred just before noon on Day 2, setting the only instance of both Nos. 10 and 11 scoring centuries in a First-class match. And soon after they got past the highest 10th-wicket partnership ever in England — 235 put on by Frank Woolley and Albert Fielder for Kent in 1909. Banerjee finally was dismissed by Parker for 121 runs with the Indians finishing their first innings at 454. The partnership completely devastated the confidence of Surrey cricketers as they were bundled out for 135 runs in the first innings. Leg-spinner CS Nayudu became the first Indian player to take a hat-trick in England when he dismissed Laurie Fishlock, Nigel Bennett and Alec Bedser. The home team batted with a lot of resolute in the second innings as they posted 338 runs. Sarwate picked a fifer giving away just 54 runs. Indians achieved the target 20/1 with nine wickets to spare. It was a memorable four months tour to England by Pataudi and his men where they ended up winning 11 of the 29 first class matches, losing only 4. They lost the three matches test series by 0-1 margin. It was a tour to cherish for every Indians.