Showing posts with label Cricket. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cricket. Show all posts

Thursday, July 2, 2026

Now on Amazon. Indra Vikram Singh’s three volume set of collector’s edition books on all the 13 Men’s One-day Cricket World Cup tournaments 1975-2023

 

A three volume set of collector’s edition books on all the 13 Men’s One-day Cricket World Cup tournaments was published in December 2025. Written, designed and produced by Indra Vikram Singh, the books provide a panorama of the premier event in One-day cricket.


This 1128-page set of books commemorates the golden jubilee of the World Cup. It narrates a definitive history of the tournament, from its inception in 1975 till the previous edition in 2023. It has been written for the connoisseur as well as the novice, for the collector and the aficionado, for the journalist and the statistician, for the diehard and one with a passing interest in the game. It has something for everyone, and everything about World Cup cricket. It is easy to refer to and provides authentic information about every player, every match and every team, and carries photographs from some of the best professionals in the world. It provides highlights as well as sidelights, and brings to the fore the stars, the nail-biting finishes, the drama and controversy, even the momentary flashes of brilliance.

Featured are classic matches, 86 of the most exciting contests; and memorable performances, 102 brilliant individual feats by different players in various matches. The Hall of Fame sections showcase the exploits of 170 top players in the World Cup. These are all with breath-taking photographs, more than 400 of them, from the best professionals around the globe.

Those interested in numbers will find detailed statistics and records of all the 20 teams, and batting, bowling, allround, wicketkeeping, fielding and miscellaneous records. There are complete scorecards of all the 493 matches played, each tournament in a different colour combination. The batting and bowling averages, and fielding numbers, of all the 1222 players who appeared in the World Cup are incorporated, again each team in a different colour.

The trophies, logos, mascots, sponsorship, prize money and commercial aspect have been encapsulated. The Tailenders provide interesting snippets, the sidelights, lighter moments and trivia. And what is bound to delight the fan is a handwritten letter of Sir Donald Bradman received by the author in 1999. It is a collector’s item for the ages, something to be cherished for years, decades and generations.

ISBN of the three-volume set 978-81-967423-0-0

MRP of the three-volume set Indian Rupees 12,000

Available at an attractive price on Amazon https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0H639BXP2

Slip case 9.25 inches (length) x 11.75 inches (height) x 3 inches (width) - (1 set of 3 volumes)

Slip case weight 4.65 kilograms (1 set of 3 volumes)

Carton size (4 sets of 3 volumes) 12.75 inches x 13.25 inches x 10 inches (height)

Carton weight (4 sets of 3 volumes) 19 kilograms

Published in India by Sporting Links, 2025 

Distributed in India by Variety Book Depot, AVG Bhawan 1st floor, M-3 Connaught Place (Middle Circle), New Delhi-110001, Phones +91 11 23417175, +91 11 23412567, +91 11 42707723, Email varietybookdepot@gmail.com

Available in Mumbai at The Marine Sports, 63A Gokhale Road (North), Dadar, Mumbai-400028, Phones +91 9323421282, +91 702143389, Email themarinesports@gmail.com

Export enquiries welcome

Monday, June 8, 2026

Men’s One-day Cricket World Cup 1975-2023. Indra Vikram Singh's three volume set of collector’s edition books showcases all the 13 tournaments from 1975 to 2023


This set of books commemorates the golden jubilee of the World Cup. It narrates a definitive history of the tournament, from its inception in 1975 till the previous edition in 2023. It has been written for the connoisseur as well as the novice, for the collector and the aficionado, for the journalist and the statistician, for the diehard and one with a passing interest in the game. It has something for everyone, and everything about World Cup cricket. It is easy to refer to and provides authentic information about every player, every match and every team, and carries photographs from some of the best professionals in the world. It provides highlights as well as sidelights, and brings to the fore the stars, the nail-biting finishes, the drama and controversy, even the momentary flashes of brilliance.


Featured are classic matches, 86 of the most exciting contests; and memorable performances, 102 brilliant individual feats by different players in various matches. The Hall of Fame sections showcase the exploits of 170 top players in the World Cup. These are all with breath-taking photographs, more than 400 of them, from the best professionals around the globe.

Those interested in numbers will find detailed statistics and records of all the 20 teams, and batting, bowling, allround, wicketkeeping, fielding and miscellaneous records. There are complete scorecards of all the 493 matches played, each tournament in a different colour combination. The batting and bowling averages, and fielding numbers, of all the 1222 players who appeared in the World Cup are incorporated, again each team ina different colour.

 The trophies, logos, mascots, sponsorship, prize money and commercial aspect have been encapsulated. The Tailenders provide interesting snip pets, the sidelights, lighter moments and trivia. And what is bound to delight the fan is a handwritten letter of Sir Donald Bradman received by the author in 1999. It is a collector’s item for the ages, something to be cherished for years, decades and generations.

 


ISBN of the three-volume set 978-81-967423-0-0

MRP of the three-volume set Indian Rupees 12,000

Available at an attractive price on Amazon https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0H639BXP2

Slip case 9.25 inches (length) x 11.75 inches (height) x 3 inches (width) - (1 set of 3 volumes)

Slip case weight 4.65 kilograms (1 set of 3 volumes)

Carton size (4 sets of 3 volumes) 12.75 inches x 13.25 inches x 10 inches (height)

Carton weight (4 sets of 3 volumes) 19 kilograms

Published in India by Sporting Links, 2025

Distributed in India by Variety Book Depot, AVG Bhawan 1st floor, M-3 Connaught Place (Middle Circle), New Delhi-110001, Phones +91 11 23417175, +91 11 23412567, +91 11 42707723, Email varietybookdepot@gmail.com

Available in Mumbai at The Marine Sports, 63A Gokhale Road (North), Dadar, Mumbai-400028, Phones +91 9323421282, +91 702143389, Email themarinesports@gmail.com

 Export enquiries welcome

 

Saturday, December 20, 2025

Test Cricket after World War II, 1950s and 1960s - Top Wicketkeepers

 (29 March 1946 to 10 March 1970)

Godfrey Evans.

Wally Grout.

England’s Godfrey Evans became the first wicketkeeper to claim 200 victims, with 173 catches and 46 stumpings in his 91 Tests from 1946 to 1959, the highest tally in this period after World War II till March 1970. He was handy with the bat too, scoring 2439 runs at an average of 20.49, with a highest score of 104, and 2 hundreds and 8 fifties.  

The Australian Wally Grout was considered the best of his time. He effected 187 dismissals, pouching 163 catches and causing 24 stumpings, in his 51 Tests between 1957 and 1966. He could hold the willow competently, aggregating 890 runs at an average of 15.08 with a top score of 74, and 3 half-centuries.

Johnny Waite from South Africa held his own, literally, having a hand in 141 dismissals, comprising 124 catches and 17 stumpings in 50 Tests from 1951 to 1965. A reliable batsman, he hit up 2405 runs, averaging 30.44, with a best of 134 and 4 centuries and 16 fifties to his credit.

The English stumper Jim Parks was another with 100 victims to his name. He sent back batsmen 112 times with his 101 catches behind the stumps and 11 stumpings in 46 Tests between 1954 and 1968. In addition, he held two catches as a fielder. He was a fine batsman, totalling 1962 runs at 32.16 per innings, 108 not out being his best, and hit up 2 hundreds and 9 half-centuries.

Three wicketkeepers fell short of 100 dismissals. Australia’s Gilbert Langley had 98 dismissals to his name, made up of 83 catches and 15 stumpings from 1951 to 1956. He could be a useful batsmen when required, scoring 374 runs at an average of 14.96, with a highest of 53, his only half-century.

Imtiaz Ahmed of Pakistan dismissed 90 batsmen, 74 caught and 16 stumped, snapping up another 3 catches in the field. He added immense value with the willow, hitting up 2079 runs while averaging 29.28, a top score of 209, having struck 3 centuries and 11 fifties.

Gerry Alexander, representing the West Indies, also effected 90 dismissals, with 85 caught and 5 stumped. Aggressive with the willow, he totalled 961 runs at 30.03 per innings, with a highest of 108, his lone hundred and 7 half-centuries.

All these seven wicketkeepers with 90 dismissals and above played all their Test cricket in this era between 1946 and 1970.

No other wicketkeeper had more than 60 victims during this time, some of whom played in the following era. Of these, Alan Knott, Wasim Bari, Deryck Murray, Ken Wadsworth and Farokh Engineer went on to scale immense heights with the gloves and with the bat.

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Test Cricket after World War II, 1950s and 1960s - Top Batsmen

 Even though he played just 15 Tests over three series in two years at the age of 38 to 40 after the War, the name Bradman keeps cropping up even when talking about an era that spanned more than two decades after his retirement. He hit up nearly 2000 runs in this time, 1903 to be precise, at an astounding average of 105.72, even higher than in his prime, with 8 hundreds and 5 fifties. But then The Don essentially belongs to the era between the Wars, and in any case he is on a pedestal far higher than any other batsman…..past, present or future.

 

Gary Sobers

Len Hutton

The 3 Ws.....(from left) Frank Worrell, Everton Weekes and Clyde Walcott

Colin Cowdrey

Ken Barrington

Graeme Pollock

Doug Walters

So then let us confine ourselves to other great batsmen, more human in stature. There were seven batsmen in this period after the Second World War and in the 1950s and 1960s, ending in the banishment of South Africa, for reasons other than cricket. We saw the emergence of more and more brilliant batsmen from the West Indies, and from South Africa, some of whom could not, sadly, see their careers in full bloom. England’s Colin Cowdrey scored the most runs, the only one to top 7000, at 7228, closely followed by compatriot Ken Barrington and the inimitable West Indies allrounder Gary Sobers with 6808 and 6776. Australian left-hander Neil Harvey completed the 6000 runs club. Two English batsmen synonymous with each other, top-class opener Len Hutton and the debonair Denis Compton, along with the exquisite little West Indies strokeplayer Rohan Kanhai aggregated above 5000.

Turning to averages among batsmen who scored 2000 runs and more, the South African left-hander Graeme Pollock was on top at 60.97 for his 2256 runs in 23 Tests. The Australian star batsman Doug Walters was next at 59.21 for his 2250 runs in 25 Tests. They were followed by Gary Sobers and Ken Barrington at 58.92 and 58.67 respectively. Two of the famous Caribbean Ws, Everton Weekes and Clyde Walcott finished at 58.61 and 56.68. Len Hutton completed the list of averages of 50 at 54.62.

In the 45-plus category there are some very illustrious names, Denis Compton, Lindsay Hassett, Frank Worrell, Bobby Simpson, Neil Harvey, Rohan Kanhai, Ted Dexter, Bill Lawry, Vijay Hazare, Seymour Nurse, Bob Cowper, Peter May, Conrad Hunte, Arthur Morris, Colin Cowdrey, John Edrich, Eddie Barlow and Norman O’Neill.

Top Rungetters

(minimum 2000 runs)

Colin Cowdrey (England), Tests 104, Highest Score 182, Runs 7228, Average 46.33, Hundreds 22, Fifties 37

Ken Barrington (England), Tests 82, Highest Score 256, Runs 6808, Average 58.67, Hundreds 20, Fifties 35

Gary Sobers (West Indies), Tests 76, Highest Score 365*, Runs 6776, Average 58.92, Hundreds 21, Fifties 26

Neil Harvey (Australia), Tests 79, Highest Score 205, Runs 6149, Average 48.41, Hundreds 21, Fifties 24

Len Hutton (England), Tests 66, Highest Score 206, Runs 5626, Average 54.62, Hundreds 14, Fifties 30

Denis Compton (England), Tests 70, Highest Score 278, Runs 5339, Average 49.89, Hundreds 15, Fifties 26

Rohan Kanhai (West Indies), Tests 61, Highest Score 256, Runs 5056, Average 48.15, Hundreds 12, Fifties 22

Bill Lawry (Australia), Tests 62, Highest Score 210, Runs 4910, Average 47.66, Hundreds 13, Fifties 24

Tom Graveney (England), Tests 79, Highest Score 258, Runs 4882, Average 44.38, Hundreds 11, Fifties 20

Peter May (England), Tests 66, Highest Score 285*, Runs 4537, Average 46.77, Hundreds 13, Fifties 22

Ted Dexter (England), Tests 62, Highest Score 205, Runs 4502, Average 47.89, Hundreds 9, Fifties 27

Everton Weekes (West Indies), Tests 48, Highest Score 207, Runs 4455, Average 58.61, Hundreds 15, Fifties 19

Bobby Simpson (Australia), Tests 52, Highest Score 311, Runs 4131, Average 48.60, Hundreds 8, Fifties 24

Hanif Mohammad (Pakistan), Tests 55, Highest Score 337, Runs 3915, Average 43.98, Hundreds 12, Fifties 15

Frank Worrell (West Indies), Tests 51, Highest Score 261, Runs 3860, Average 49.48, Hundreds 9, Fifties 22

Clyde Walcott (West Indies), Tests 44, Highest Score 220, Runs 3798, Average 56.68, Hundreds 15, Fifties 14

Polly Umrigar (India), Tests 59, Highest Score 223, Runs 3631, Average 42.22, Hundreds 12, Fifties 14

Arthur Morris (Australia), Tests 46, Highest Score 206, Runs 3533, Average 46.48, Hundreds 12, Fifties 12

John Reid (New Zealand), Tests 58, Highest Score 142, Runs 3428, Average 33.28, Hundreds 6, Fifties 22

Conrad Hunte (West Indies), Tests 44, Highest Score 260, Runs 3245, Average 45.06, Hundreds 8, Fifties 13

Vijay Manjrekar (India), Tests 55, Highest Score 189*, Runs 3208, Average 39.12, Hundreds 7, Fifties 15

Colin McDonald (Australia), Tests 47, Highest Score 170, Runs 3107, Average 39.32, Hundreds 5, Fifties 17

Basil Butcher (West Indies), Tests 44, Highest Score 209*, Runs 3104, Average 43.11, Hundreds 7, Fifties 16

Chandu Borde (India), Tests 55, Highest Score 177*, Runs 3061, Average 35.59, Hundreds 5, Fifties 18

Keith Miller (Australia), Tests 55, Highest Score 147, Runs 2958, Average 36.97, Hundreds 7, Fifties 13

Lindsay Hassett (Australia), Tests 39, Highest Score 198*, Runs 2874, Average 49.55, Hundreds 10, Fifties 10

Saeed Ahmed (Pakistan), Tests 38, Highest Score 172, Runs 2833, Average 41.66, Hundreds 5, Fifties 15

Norman O’Neill (Australia), Tests 42, Highest Score 181, Runs 2779, Average 45.55, Hundreds 6, Fifties 15

Bert Sutcliffe (New Zealand), Tests 42, Highest Score 230*, Runs 2727, Average 40.10, Hundreds 5, Fifties 15

John Edrich (England), Tests 40, Highest Score 310*, Runs 2711, Average 45.94, Hundreds 8, Fifties 10

Geoff Boycott (England), Tests 41, Highest Score 246*, Runs 2609, Average 42.77, Hundreds 8, Fifties 10

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi (India), Tests 39, Highest Score 203*, Runs 2552, Average 36.98, Hundreds 6, Fifties 14

Cyril Washbrook (England), Tests 36, Highest Score 195, Runs 2552, Average 43.25, Hundreds 6, Fifties 12

Seymour Nurse (West Indies) Tests 29, Highest Score 258, Runs 2523, Average 47.60, Hundreds 6, Fifties 10

Eddie Barlow (South Africa), Tests 30, Highest Score 210, Runs 2516, Average 45.74, Hundreds 6, Fifties 15

Trevor Goddard (South Africa), Tests 41, Highest Score 112, Runs 2516, Average 34.46, Hundreds 1, Fifties 18

Pankaj Roy (India), Tests 43, Highest Score 173, Runs 2442, Average 32.56, Hundreds 5, Fifties 9

Jackie McGlew (South Africa), Tests 34, Highest Score 255*, Runs 2440, Average 42.06, Hundreds 7, Fifties 10

Godfrey Evans (England), Tests 91, Highest Score 104, Runs 2439, Average 20.49, Hundreds 2, Fifties 8

Johnny Waite (South Africa), Tests 50, Highest Score 134, Runs 2405, Average 30.44, Hundreds 4, Fifties 16

Trevor Bailey (England), Tests 61, Highest Score 134*, Runs 2290, Average 29.74, Hundreds 1, Fifties 10

Peter Burge (Australia), Tests 42, Highest Score 181, Runs 2290, Average 38.16, Hundreds 4, Fifties 12

Graeme Pollock (South Africa), Tests 23, Highest Score 274, Runs 2256, Average 60.97, Hundreds 7, Fifties 11

Doug Walters (Australia), Tests 25, Highest Score 242, Runs 2250, Average 59.21, Hundreds 7, Fifties 14

Richie Benaud (Australia), Tests 63, Highest Score 122, Runs 2201, Average 24.45, Hundreds 3, Fifties 9

Vijay Hazare (India), Tests 30, Highest Score 164*, Runs 2192, Average 47.65, Hundreds 7, Fifties 9

Graham Dowling (New Zealand), Tests 35, Highest Score 239, Runs 2163, Average 32.28, Hundreds 3, Fifties 10

Ian Redpath (Australia), Tests 37, Highest Score 132, Runs 2159, Average 37.22, Hundreds 1, Fifties 16

Mike Smith (England), Tests 47, Highest Score 121, Runs 2138, Average 32.39, Hundreds 3, Fifties 11

Bill Edrich (England), Tests 30, Highest Score 191, Runs 2133, Average 43.53, Hundreds 5, Fifties 13

Roy McLean (South Africa), Tests 40, Highest Score 142, Runs 2120, Average 30.28, Hundreds 5, Fifties 10

Vinoo Mankad (India), Tests 44, Highest Score 231, Runs 2109, Average 31.47, Hundreds 5, Fifties 6

Imtiaz Ahmed (Pakistan), Tests 41, Highest Score 209, Runs 2079, Average 29.28, Hundreds 3, Fifties 11

Bob Cowper (Australia), Tests 27, Highest Score 307, Runs 2061, Average 46.84, Hundreds 5, Fifties 10

Peter Richardson (England), Tests 34, Highest Score 126, Runs 2061, Average 37.47, Hundreds 5, Fifties 9

Jeff Stollmeyer (West Indies), Tests 29, Highest Score 160, Runs 2066, Average 44.04, Hundreds 4, Fifties 10

ML Jaisimha (India), Tests 36, Highest Score 129, Runs 2013, Average 32.46, Hundreds 3, Fifties 12

Highest Averages

(minimum 2000 runs with average of 50 and above)

Graeme Pollock (South Africa), Tests 23, Highest Score 274, Runs 2256, Average 60.97, Hundreds 7, Fifties 11

Doug Walters (Australia), Tests 25, Highest Score 242, Runs 2250, Average 59.21, Hundreds 7, Fifties 14

Gary Sobers (West Indies), Tests 76, Highest Score 365*, Runs 6776, Average 58.92, Hundreds 21, Fifties 26

Ken Barrington (England), Tests 82, Highest Score 256, Runs 6808, Average 58.67, Hundreds 20, Fifties 35

Everton Weekes (West Indies), Tests 48, Highest Score 207, Runs 4455, Average 58.61, Hundreds 15, Fifties 19

Clyde Walcott (West Indies), Tests 44, Highest Score 220, Runs 3798, Average 56.68, Hundreds 15, Fifties 14

Len Hutton (England), Tests 66, Highest Score 206, Runs 5626, Average 54.62, Hundreds 14, Fifties 30

Highest Averages

(less than 2000 runs but above 1000 runs with average of 50 and above)

Don Bradman (Australia), Tests 15, Highest Score 234, Runs 1903, Average 105.72, Hundreds 8, Fifties 5

Bruce Mitchell (South Africa), Tests 10, Highest Score 189*, Runs 1072, Average 59.55, Hundreds 3, Fifties 6

Dudley Nourse (South Africa), Tests 20, Highest Score 208, Runs 1863, Average 56.45, Hundreds 6, Fifties 10

Eric Rowan (South Africa), Tests 14, Highest Score 236, Runs 1238, Average 51.58, Hundreds 3, Fifties 7

Highest Averages

(less than 1000 runs but above 500 runs with average of 50 and above)

Barry Richards (South Africa), Tests 4, Highest Score 140, Runs 508, Average 72.57, Hundreds 2, Fifties 2

Sidney Barnes (Australia), Tests 12, Highest Score 234, Runs 998, Average 66.53, Hundreds 3, Fifties 5

Alan Melville (South Africa), Tests 6, Highest Score 189, Runs 608, Average 55.27, Hundreds 3, Fifties 1

Full Test career figures of some of these top batsmen whose careers spanned other periods as well:

Don Bradman, span 1928-48, Tests 52, Highest Score 334, Runs 6996, Average 99.94, Hundreds 29, Fifties 13

Sidney Barnes 1938-48, Tests 13, Highest Score 234, Runs 1072, Average 63.05, Hundreds 3, Fifties 5

Gary Sobers, span 1957-74, Tests 93, Highest Score 365*, Runs 8032, Average 57.78, Hundreds 26, Fifties 30

Len Hutton, span 1937-55, Tests 79, Highest Score 364, Runs 6971, Average 56.67, Hundreds 19, Fifties 33

Dudley Nourse, span 1935-51, Tests 34, Highest Score 231, Runs 2960, Average 53.81, Hundreds 9, Fifties 14

Alan Melville, span 1938-49, Tests 11, Highest Score 189, Runs 894, Average 52.58, Hundreds 4, Fifties 3

Denis Compton, span 1937-57, Tests 78, Highest Score 278, Runs 5807, Average 50.06, Hundreds 17, Fifties 28

Bruce Mitchell, span 1929-49, Tests 42, Highest Score 189*, Runs 3471, Average 48.88, Hundreds 8, Fifties 21

Doug Walters, span 1965-81, Tests 74, Highest Score 250, Runs 5357, Average 48.26, Hundreds 15, Fifties 33

Geoff Boycott, span 1964-82, Tests 108, Highest Score 246*, Runs 8114, Average 47.72, Hundreds 22, Fifties 42

Rohan Kanhai, span 1957-74, Tests 79, Highest Score 256, Runs 6227, Average 47.53, Hundreds 15, Fifties 28

Bill Lawry, span 1961-71, Tests 67, Highest Score 210, Runs 5234, Average 47.15, Hundreds 13, Fifties 27

Bobby Simpson, span 1957-78, Tests 62, Highest Score 311, Runs 4869, Average 46.81, Hundreds 10, Fifties 27

Colin Cowdrey, span 1954-75, Tests 114, Highest Score 182, Runs 7624, Average 44.06, Hundreds 22, Fifties 38

Eric Rowan, span 1935-51, Tests 26, Highest Score 236, Runs 1965, Average 43.66, Hundreds 3, Fifties 12

John Edrich, span 1963-76, Tests 77, Highest Score 310*, Runs 5138, Average 43.54, Hundreds 12, Fifties 24

Ian Redpath, span 1964-76, Tests 66, Highest Score 171, Runs 4737, Average 43.45, Hundreds 8, Fifties 31

Saeed Ahmed, span 1958-72, Tests 41, Highest Score 172, Runs 2991, Average 40.41, Hundreds 5, Fifties 16

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, span 1961-75, Tests 46, Highest Score 203*, Runs 2793, Average 34.91, Hundreds 6, Fifties 16

ML Jaisimha, span 1959-71, Tests 39, Highest Score 129, Runs 2056, Average 30.68, Hundreds 3, Fifties 12

Monday, May 5, 2025

Top wicketkeepers in Test Cricket between the two World Wars

Bert Oldfield

Leslie Ames

The only wicketkeeper with 100 dismissals to his credit between the two World Wars was the great Australian William ‘Bert’ Oldfield. He pouched 78 catches and effected 52 stumpings, totalling 130 dismissals, in his 54 Tests between 1920 and 1937. He was a competent right-handed batsman too, scoring 1427 runs at an average of 22.65 with a highest score of 65 not out, and 4 half-centuries. 
 
England’s Leslie Ames narrowly missed the 100 dismissals mark. He took 72 catches behind the stumps and caused 23 stumpings, for an aggregate of 95 dismissals in 47 Tests between 1929 and 1939. He had two more catches to his name as a fielder. Ames was a top-class right-handed batsman, and many believed that he was in the Test side more for his batting skills than his prowess behind the stumps. He hit up 2434 runs at an average of 40.56, with 149 as his top score and 8 hundreds and 7 half-centuries. No other wicketkeeper had a century to his name in this period. 

George Duckworth was arguably the best English wicketkeeper in this era, but was eclipsed by the far superior batting skills of Ames in the latter part of his Test career. Duckworth held 45 catches and carried out 15 stumpings, aggregating 60 dismissals in 24 Tests from 1924 to 1936. He scored 234 runs with a best of 39 not out, averaging 14.62 with his right-hand batting. 
 
The South African Horace ‘Jock’ Cameron was the fourth wicketkeeper to bag 50 dismissals and more between the Wars. In 26 Tests between 1927 and 1935, Cameron totalled 51 dismissals comprising 39 catches and 12 stumpings. He was a fine right-handed batsman, accumulating 1239 runs at an average of 30.21, with a top-score of 90, and 10 fifties. 

Herbert ‘Bert’ Strudwick’s career straddled the First World War, making his Test debut for England in 1910. In 17 Tests between 1920 and 1926, Strudwick held 38 catches and triggered 4 stumpings, for an aggregate of 42 dismissals. He played 11 Test matches before the War, taking 23 catches and effecting 8 stumpings. Bert Strudwick played a total of 28 Test matches till 1926, finishing with 61 catches and 12 stumpings, a total of 73 dismissals. A right-hander, he did not have much pretentions as a batsman, scoring 139 runs after the War, with his all-time best of 24 and an average of 8.17. He aggregated 230 runs in his 28 Tests, averaging 7.93. 

Hanson ‘Sammy’ Carter played 8 Test matches for Australia after the First World War, in 1921, clutching 16 catches and having a hand in 11 stumpings, snaring 27 dismissals. A right-handed batsman he scored 218 runs at an average of 27.25, with a highest score of 47. Sammy Carter made his Test debut in 1907. He played 20 Test matches before the First World War, taking 28 catches and effecting 10 stumpings. He scored 655 runs in that phase at an average of 21.83, with a highest score of 72 and 4 fifties. He finished his 28-Test career with 44 catches and 21 stumpings, in all 65 dismissals. He aggregated 873 runs at an average of 22.97, the top score and half-centuries coming before the Great War. 

West Indies gloveman Ivan Barrow appeared in 11 Test matches from 1930 to 1939, grabbing 16 catches and making 5 stumpings, for a total of 21 dismissals. He took 1 more catch in the field. Right-handed with the willow, he scored 276 runs, averaging 16.23. He hit up a best score of 105, his only century, and he had no fifty to his name. 

Thomas ‘Tommy’ Ward played 13 Test matches for South Africa after the First World War, from 1921 to 1924 , holding 11 catches and effecting 6 stumpings, for a total of 17 dismissals. A right-hander he hit up 316 runs at an average of 17.55, with a highest score of 64 and 2 fifties. Earlier, between 1912 and 1914, Tommy Ward held 8 catches and effected 7 stumpings in 10 Tests. He scored 143 runs, averaging 9.53. Overall, he ended his 23-Test career with 19 catches and 13 stumpings, for a total of 32 dismissals. He aggregated 459 runs at an average of 13.90, his top score of 64 and 2 fifties achieved after the War. 

Kenneth James of New Zealand appeared in 11 Test matches between 1930 and 1933, pouching 11 catches and causing 5 stumpings, totalling 16 dismissals. Right-handed with the bat, he scored 52 runs, averaging 4.72 with a highest of 14. 

England’s Arthur Wood played 4 Test matches in 1938-1939, holding 10 catches and effecting 1 stumping. A right-hander, he scored 80 runs, averaging 20. His top score of 53, was his only half-century. 

Ultimately, Oldfield and Ames were in a league all their own among stumpers between the two World Wars.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Top allrounders in Test cricket between the two World Wars

Maurice Tate was the only player to score 1000 runs and take 100 wickets between the two World Wars.

The two decades between the two World Wars were not known for their Test allrounders. The only player to score 1,000 runs and capture 100 wickets was England’s Maurice Tate.

His compatriot the remarkable Wilfred Rhodes had played his best cricket before the First World War. His Test career lasted for 30 years, spanning the generations of W.G. Grace and Don Bradman. He became the first to achieve the feat of 2,000 runs and 100 wickets.

Charles Kelleway's Test career straggled the two World Wars.

Jack Gregory.....top-class fast bowler and left-handed batsman.

The two genuine, and best, allrounders between the wars were the Australians Charles Kelleway and Jack Gregory. Kelleway’s Test career straggled the First World War, having played 15 Tests earlier. Similarly, Frank Woolley’s career was divided by the First World War.

The English duo of Walter Robins and Gubby Allen too were versatile players who made valuable contributions.

Wally Hammond was, of course, one of the all-time great batsmen who would wheel over his medium pace. Stan McCabe too was a handy bowler of the same variety. Their allround quotient was boosted by their tremendous batting records.

There were bowlers from around the cricketing world who could wield the willow, the world-class English slow left-armer Hedley Verity, the South African slow left-armer Cyril Vincent, the West Indies speedster Learie Constantine, and the great Aussie leg-spinner Clarrie Grimmett.

The top allrounders with at least 1000 runs and 50 wickets in Test cricket between the two World Wars were:

Wally Hammond (England 1927-1939), Right-hand bat, Right-arm medium-pace

Tests 77, Highest score 336*, Runs 6883, Average 61.45, 100s 22, 50s 22

Best bowling 5/36, Wickets 83, Average 37.77, 5WI 2, 10WM -, Quotient 1.62

Jack Gregory (Australia 1920-1928), Left-hand bat, Right-arm fast

Tests 24, Highest score 119, Runs 1146, Average 36.96, 100s 2, 50s 7

Best bowling 7/69, Wickets 85, Average 31.15, 5WI 4, 10WM -, Quotient 1.18

Maurice Tate (England 1924-1935), Right-hand bat, Right-arm fast-medium, off-break

Tests 39, Highest score 100*, Runs 1198, Average 25.48, 100s 1, 50s 5

Best bowling 6/42, Wickets 155, Average 26.16, 5WI 7, 10WM 1, Quotient 0.97

The best allrounders with at least 500 runs and 25 wickets in Test cricket between the two World Wars were:

Charles Kelleway (Australia 1920-1928), Right-hand bat, Right-arm fast-medium

Tests 11, Highest score 147, Runs 590, Average 34.70, 100s 1, 50s 2

Best bowling 4/27, Wickets 29, Average 27.75, 5WI -, 10WM -, Quotient 1.25

Stan McCabe (Australia 1930-1938), Right-hand bat, Right-arm medium

Tests 39, Highest score 232, Runs 2748, Average 48.21, 100s 6, 50s 13

Best bowling 4/13, Wickets 36, Average 42.86, 5WI -, 10WM -, Quotient 1.12

Walter Robins (England 1929-1937), Right-hand bat, Right-arm leg-break

Tests 19, Highest score 108, Runs 612, Average 26.60, 100s 1, 50s 4

Best bowling 6/32, Wickets 64, Average 27.46, 5WI 1, 10WM -, Quotient 0.96

Gubby Allen (England 1930-1937), Right-hand bat, Right-arm fast

Tests 22, Highest score 122, Runs 656, Average 25.23, 100s 1, 50s 3

Best bowling 7/80, Wickets 76, Average 28.60, 5WI 5, 10WM 1, Quotient 0.88

Frank Woolley (England 1920-1934), Left-hand bat, Left-arm medium, Slow left-arm

Tests 42, Highest score 154, Runs 2346, Average 37.83, 100s 4, 50s 15

Best bowling 7/76, Wickets 44, Average 43.00, 5WI 1, 10WM -, Quotient 0.87

Hedley Verity (England 1931-1939), Right-hand bat, Slow left-arm

Tests 40, Highest score 66*, Runs 669, Average 20.90, 100s -, 50s 3

Best bowling 8/43, Wickets 144, Average 24.37, 5WI 5, 10WM 2, Quotient 0.85

Cyril Vincent (South Africa 1927-1935), Left-hand bat, Slow left-arm

Tests 25, Highest score 60, Runs 526, Average 20.23, 100s -, 50s 2

Best bowling 6/51, Wickets 84, Average 31.32, 5WI 3, 10WM -, Quotient 0.64

Learie Constantine (West Indies 1928-1939), Right-hand bat, Right-arm fast-medium

Tests 18, Highest score 90, Runs 635, Average 19.24, 100s -, 50s 4

Best bowling 5/75, Wickets 58, Average 30.10, 5WI 2, 10WM 1, Quotient 0.63

Clarrie Grimmett (Australia 1925-1936), Right-hand bat, Right-arm leg-break googly

Tests 37, Highest score 50, Runs 557, Average 13.92, 100s -, 50s 1

Best bowling 7/40, Wickets 216, Average 24.21, 5WI 21, 10WM 7, Quotient 0.57

In their entire careers these allrounders achieved the following figures:

Charles Kelleway (Australia 1910-1928), Right-hand bat, Right-arm fast-medium

Tests 26, Highest score 147, Runs 1422, Average 37.42, 100s 3, 50s 6

Best bowling 5/33, Wickets 52, Average 32.36, 5WI 1, 10WM -, Quotient 1.15

Wilfred Rhodes (England 1899-1930), Right-hand bat, Slow left-arm

Tests 58, Highest score 179, Runs 2325, Average 30.19, 100s 2, 50s 10

Best bowling 8/68, Wickets 127, Average 26.96, 5WI 6, 10WM 1, Quotient 1.11

Frank Woolley (England 1909-1934), left-hand bat, Left-arm medium, Slow left-arm

Tests 64, Highest score 154, Runs 3283, Average 36.07, 100s 5, 50s 23

Best bowling 7/76, Wickets 83, Average 33.91, 5WI 4, 10WM 1, Quotient 1.06

Gubby Allen (England 1930-1948), Right-hand bat, Right-arm fast

Tests 25, Highest score 122, Runs 750, Average 24.19, 100s 1, 50s 3

Best bowling 7/80, Wickets 81, Average 29.37, 5WI 5, 10WM 1, Quotient 0.82

Hammond bowled just one over for 3 runs after the Second World War, his quotient being 1.54.

Quotient is batting average divided by bowling average.