Jimmy Sinclair

Infobox Historic Cricketer


nationality = South African
country = South Africa
country abbrev = RSA
name = Jimmy Sinclair
picture = Cricket_no_pic.pngbatting style = Right-hand bat
bowling style = Right-arm fast-medium
tests = 25
test runs = 1069
test bat avg = 23.23
test 100s/50s = 3/3
test top score = 106
test balls = 3598
test wickets = 63
test bowl avg = 31.68
test 5s = 1
test 10s = 0
test best bowling = 6/26
test catches/stumpings = 9/-
FCs = 129
FC runs = 4483
FC bat avg = 21.55
FC 100s/50s = 6/21
FC top score = 136
FC balls = 19543
FC wickets = 491
FC bowl avg = 21.43
FC 5s = 33
FC 10s = 10
FC best bowling = 8/32
FC catches/stumpings = 66/-
debut date = 13 February
debut year = 1896
last date = 3 March
last year = 1911
source = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/47195.html Cricinfo

James Hugh Sinclair (born 16 October 1876 in Swellendam, Cape Province, died 23 February 1913 in Yeoville, Gauteng) was an South African cricketer who played in 25 Tests from 1896 to 1911.

He also played international rugby (being a member of Paul Roos's team to England in 1906) and a single international appearance in association football. This feat of having made international appearances in three distinct sports is, as far as this editor is aware, shared by only two other South Africans, one of whom was Percy Sherwell (cricket, association football and tennis).

It is on record that he hit the first test century by a South African (http://www.icc-cricket.com/wcm/content/player/47195.html), and several of the records which he established were only surpassed during the 1990's and later. A 2006 source shows Sinclair as still being the 6th quickest batsman anywhere ever. (http://forum.cricketweb.net/archive/index.php/t-18842-p-3.html)

There are also various stories told about Sinclair, including that relating the occasion on which a ball which he had hit for a six at the old Wanderers' Ground in Johannesburg (Central) landed on a train bound for Port Elizabeth and was only recovered at that destination - surely the furthest that ANY ball has ever been hit! This ball was for many years on display at the Wanderers' clubhouse (both old and new grounds) until a fire in the latter part of the 20th century.