A talented English cricketer who played for Kent County Cricket Club and was known for his impressive bowling skills, taking over 1,000 wickets in his career.
Leslie Ethelbert George Ames is widely regarded as the greatest wicketkeeper-batsman in the history of cricket. With a career spanning over two decades, Ames etched his name in the record books, earning himself a reputation as one of the most exceptional players the game has ever seen.
Born on December 3, 1905, in Elham, Kent, Ames was mentored by Francis MacKinnon, an ex-county player who lived in the village. After leaving Harvey Grammar School, Folkestone, Ames was encouraged by Gerry Weigall, the Kent county coach, to learn wicketkeeping to improve his chances of playing for the county as an all-rounder.
Ames made his debut for Kent on July 7, 1926, against Warwickshire at the Nevill Ground in Royal Tunbridge Wells, scoring 35 and taking four catches. He played one more County Championship match that season before becoming a regular in the 1927 season. His impressive performance earned him a spot on the 1928-29 England tour of Australia, where he played in state matches.
Ames made his debut for England in the Fifth Test against South Africa at The Oval on August 17, 1929, making a duck and taking two catches. He went on to play 47 Test matches, scoring 2,434 runs with a batting average of 40.56, and taking 74 catches and 23 stumpings.
In first-class cricket, Ames scored 37,248 runs at an average of 43.51, including 102 centuries and 176 fifties, and took 704 catches and 417 stumpings. He holds a number of wicketkeeping and batting records, including the most dismissals in an English county cricket season (127 in 1929) and the most stumpings in an English season (64 in 1932).
Ames was one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1929, a testament to his outstanding skills and contributions to the sport.
Les Ames' remarkable career has left an indelible mark on the world of cricket. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wicketkeeper-batsmen of all time, and his records and achievements continue to inspire generations of cricketers. His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of hard work, dedication, and passion in achieving greatness.
Les Ames' remarkable career and achievements have cemented his place in the annals of cricket history. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.
Born in 1903
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