India's first cricket test team - Lall Singh

Lall Singh

Lall Singh is the answer for a trivia question. Who is the first test cricketer born in Malaysia? He was the only one till Steve O'Keefe played test cricket. He played India's maiden test match and that was the only test match he ever played. He is the first outstanding Indian fielder and a quick mover on the field.  It was mentioned that "he glided over the ground like a snake". His brilliant anticipation and throw removed Frank Woolley. He was also involved in a counter-attacking partnership of 74 runs in 40 minutes for 8th wiicket with Amar Singh in the second innings. He batted at number 8 and scored 15,29 and took a catch. In his firstclass career he also played for Hindus and Southern Punjab. He scored 1123 runs from 32 matches at an average of 24.95 with one century ( 107*) and 5 fifties. He doesnt seem to have been much of a bowler and picked only 1 wiket in his firstclass career. After his first class career, he moved back to Kuala Lumpur ( then part of Federated Malay States, now Malaysia). There was a rumour that he became a night club owner, but seems that he spent his life as a groundsman in Kuala Lumpur and was involved in the promotion of cricket.

His matches during the tour were:

He played the first match of the tour

Sussex v Indians

Batted at number 6 in the first innings and scored 6. In second innings, he batted at number 7 and was not out on 29. Took one catch as well in the match which was a draw

Missed the match versus Glamorgan and was back in team against Oxford University

Oxford University v Indians

Batted at number 5 in the first innings and was out for 11 runs by Bowes. He did not bat in the second innings. Took one catch in this Indian win ( by 8 wickets)

Marylebone Cricket Club v Indians

Batted at number 9 and was out for 5 in this drawn match

Missed three matches and was back for the match against Cambridge

Cambridge University v Indians

Batted at number 7 and scored 28 runs. Did not bat in the second innings. Took one catch as well in this match India won by 9 wickets

Lancashire v Indians




Batted at 8 and scored 21 in this drawn match. Did not bat in the second innings




Worcestershire v Indians



Batted at number 8 in the first innings and scored his first fifty of the tour before getting out for 52. Scored 10 in the second innings at number 7 and also tool three catches in the match. which India won by 3 wickets







England v India - Test Match






Batted at number 7 in the first innings and scored 15 runs. He then batted at number 8 in the second innings and scored 29 runs in a counter-attacking partnership of 74 in 40 minutes with Amar Singh. He had a life when the stumping was missed off the bowling of Robins in the second innings. He took one catch and also ran out Frank Woolley with a well anticipated hard throw. 





Nottinghamshire v Indians

Batted at number 7 and scored 16 runs in the first innings and was unbeated on 28 in the second innings in this loss against Nottinghamshire. Took one catch as well

Lancashire v Indians

Scored 13 and 9* in this loss against Lancashire. Also took two catches.

Yorkshire Vs Indians

Bagged a pair batting at positions 9 and 8 in this loss against Yorkshire. Bowled for first time in teh tour bowled 2 balls and gave 4 runs , the winning runs for Yorkshire in the match

Missed the match against Middlesex and was back in the team vs Scotland

Scotland v Indians

Batted at number 7 in the first innings and scored 28. In second innings, batted at his highest batting position of 4, but got out for just 3. Bowled 4 overs and took a wicket with the analysis 4-1-9-1. Wicket keeper Janardhan Navle caught AD Baxter for Lall Singh's only wicket of his first class career. India won this match comfortably by 200 runs

Glamorgan v Indians

Batted at number 7 scored 33 and 11 runs in this Indian win by 54 runs

After missing the match against Warwickshire, he was back against Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire Vs Indians

Batted at number 5 and scored 5 and 5. Also took one catch in this match which India won by 55 runs mainly courtesy Amar Singh's 12 wicket match haul

Missed 3 matches and was back against Leicestershire

Leicestershire Vs Indians

Batted at number 8 and scored 37 in the only Indian innings. Also took one catch and bowled one over conceding one run in this match which India won by innings and 15 runs

Missed two matches and was back for the last match of the tour

HDG Leveson-Gower's XI v Indians




Batted at number 10 and scored 24 in the only Indian innings in this 3 day match . Bowled 1 over and conceded 11 runs without any wickets.







The tour matches dont indicate who did the runouts and how many runs were saved by each fielders. Maybe with these numbers, Lall Singh's tour might have been seen as much more successful 







He was from an affluent Sikh family settled in Malaya and was to close to Maharaja Bhupinder Singh who was supposed to be the captain for 1932 tour, but had to withdraw due to illness. Lall Singh had a colourful life living in Paris, caught and tortured by Japanese during world war two, losing all properties after war ending up as a groundsman and then gaining all back with the help of Sultan of Selangor. He ended his life living prosperously travelling to Paris often and having cricket tournaments named after him.Wiki gives lot more details regarding his background.



References:

Cricinfo
Wiki
First Test Match Details
All the tour matches
Ask Steven
Night Club Owner
Notes on the First Test
About being first noticed in Malaya
More details
Malaysia Hall of Fame
More Details
Hall of Fame
More Details
Lall Singh Trophy