5 October 1951 to 2 March 1952. He came back with mixed feelings. The tour was demanding, especially as he didn't take to foods like curry and rice, but he said he would always recommend the trip to other players, the experience to be gained being worth it. The team played five Tests in India and two internationals against Pakistan (these were less than a year before Pakistan was granted Test status on 28 July 1952). Statham took a total of 48 wickets on the tour, including four returns in which he took four wickets. He played in all five Tests against India but took only eight wickets at the high average of 36.62 with a best performance of four for 96. The series was drawn with one win apiece and three draws. Wisden commented on the serious difficulties posed by ground conditions throughout the tour with lifeless pitches resulting in more than half the matches inevitably being drawn. Wisden had words of praise for Statham who, despite the unfavourable conditions, looked menacing at times and showed the potential to become a top-class bowler of genuine pace. One of the few matches on the tour to provide a wicket with any life in it was the second international against Pakistan in Karachi. On the first day, both teams were dismissed for low scores with most of the wickets falling to pace or seam bowlers. Fazal Mahmood took six for 40 as MCC were bundled out for only 123; and then Statham with four for 32 and Derek Shackleton with four for 50 dismissed Pakistan for 130. Batting conditions improved on the second and third days. MCC totalled 291 in their second innings, Tom Graveney scoring 123, and set Pakistan a target of 285 which they achieved to win by four wickets. Statham played against Ceylon in the final leg of the tour and MCC won this game comfortably by an innings and 33 runs. Statham took four for nine in the first innings as Ceylon were dismissed for only 58. Another century by Graveney enabled MCC to declare with a lead of over 200 and Ceylon collapsed again in their second innings, Statham taking two for ten. 1952 season Statham was not chosen for a Test match against India in 1952, the selectors preferring Bedser and Trueman to open the attack. They were a complete success and so Statham simply