Amar Singh (cricketer)

Infobox Historic Cricketer


nationality = Indian
country = India
country abbrev = IND
name = Amar Singh
picture = Cricket_no_pic.pngbatting style = Right-hand bat
bowling style = Right-arm fast-medium
tests = 7
test runs = 292
test bat avg = 22.46
test 100s/50s = -/1
test top score = 51
test balls = 2182
test wickets = 28
test bowl avg = 30.64
test 5s = 2
test 10s = -
test best bowling = 7/86
test catches/stumpings = 3/-
FCs = 92
FC runs = 3344
FC bat avg = 24.23
FC 100s/50s = 5/18
FC top score = 140*
FC balls = 23689
FC wickets = 506
FC bowl avg = 18.35
FC 5s = 42
FC 10s = 14
FC best bowling = 8/23
FC catches/stumpings = 77/-
debut date = 25 June
debut year = 1932
last date = 15 August
last year = 1936
source = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/26228.html

Ladhabhai Nakum Amar Singh audio|Amar_Singh.ogg|pronunciation (December 4 1910 in Rajkot, Gujarat – May 21, 1940 in Jamnagar, Gujarat) was an Indian Test cricketer.

A right-arm fast-medium bowler and effective lower-order batsman, Amar Singh played in seven Tests for India before World War II. He took 28 wickets in these matches.He was the first Indian Fast bowler and Allrounder.

Amar Singh had the honour of scoring India's first half-century in Test cricket, in India's first Test.

Amar Singh played first-class cricket over a nine year period; in 92 first-class matches he took 508 wickets at the bowling average of 18.35. He also scored five centuries as a batsman. In domestic cricket he was the first Indian to complete the all-rounder's double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in the Ranji Trophy.

Tall and well-built, Amar Singh bowled off a comparatively short run-up with a vigorous action. Using cut and swing, Amar Singh preferred bowling in the heavier atmosphere, particularly of England. He was also an attacking batsman and agile fielder.

Against England at Madras in 1933–34, Amar Singh scored 48 in the second essay after taking 7 for 86 off 44.4 overs in the visitors' first innings total of 335. At Lord's in 1936 he claimed 4/10 in his first nine overs and overall 6 for 35 from his 25.1 overs. In the next Test at Old Trafford he hit 48 not out to save India from an innings defeat. In the unofficial five-Test series against Lord Tennyson's MCC team of 1937-38 he captured 36 wickets at 16.66.

Amar Singh was not only the first to take 100 wickets in the Ranji Trophy but also the first Indian to become a star in the Lancashire League. Playing for Colne and Burnley he gained heavy media attention.

Much to the delight of the Burnley supporters, Amar Singh scored two centuries and six half-centuries. There was a 167 against Rishton, followed by a hard-hitting 112 versus East Lancashire, both at Turf Moore. Amar Singh topped the batting and bowling aggregates as well as averages. In all, he took 101 wickets at 12.11 in 360 overs; and scored 806 runs at 39.38 in 23 innings.

Amar Singh along with Mohammad Nissar formed part of a duo of fast bowlers for India who were among the best of their time. Walter Hammond said that he was '"as dangerous an opening bowler as I have ever seen". [Simon Wilde, "Number One: The World's Best Batsmen and Bowlers", Victor Gollancz, 1998, ISBN 0 575 06453 6, p135.]

In club cricket he played for Colne in the Lancashire League. As the club's first overseas professional he was seen as a rival to Nelson's Learie Constantine and his arrival caused the club's gate receipts and membership to double. [ [http://www.colnecc.com/betweenwars.asp?slid=3&mid=2 :: Colne Cricket Club :: ] ]

According to Wally Hammond, Amar Singh was "as dangerous an opening bowler as I have ever seen, coming off the pitch like the crack of doom".

He died of pneumonia in 1940.

Notes