Lala Amarnath factfile

Lala Amarnath was born on 11-9-1911, at Lahore.

At his best he was an all-rounder of international class and a bold and aggressive captain. A right hand middle-order batsman, he was also a medium pace bowler, who could bowl in-swingers and out-swingers, and a reliable close-in fielder and useful wicketkeeper when needed.

In 1933-34, at the Bombay Gymkhana ground, he scored a brilliant 118 in three-and-half hours against England - the first ever hundred scored by an Indian in Tests.

He then toured England in 1936 and 1946. During the 1936 tour he was sent home for disciplinary reasons before the first Test despite being the team's top run-getter, with 613 runs and with 32 wickets in the pre-Test matches.

In the 1946 tour, he scored 50 runs and took 5-118 in the first innings of the first Test after the War at Lord's. In the second Test, at Manchester, he had match analysis of 8-167 runs in 81 overs.

He captained India during its first visit to Australia in 1947-48. Although he had scores of 144, 94 not out, 228 not not, 172 not out, 171 and 135 outside the Test matches, his form in the Test matches was very poor by his standards. But he took 13 wickets in the series.

He also led India in the home series against the West Indies in 1948-49, and scored 294 runs (avg 36.75). He then led India against Pakistan in 1952-53. India won the series 2-1.

In 24 Test matches from 1933-34 to 1952-53, he scored 878 runs (avg 24.38) with one hundred. He also claimed 45 wickets (avg 32.91).

His first-class career spanned from 1929-30 to 1964-65. He scored 10,426 runs (avg 41.38), including 31 hundreds. He had 463 wickets (avg 22.98).

In the Ranji Trophy, he represented Southern Punjab, Gujarat, Patiala, United Provinces and Railways.

From 1952 to 1960 he was a national selector.

His sons Surinder and Mohinder were Test cricketers, while his third son Rajinder played in the Ranji Trophy.

In 1991 he was awarded the Padma Bhushan and in 1994 he was the first recipient of the Col CK Nayudu award, which was instituted by the BCCI for his outstanding contribution to Indian cricket.

Mail Cricket Editor