Famous Cricketers No 94 - Alfred Lewis Valentine

1951/52 - West Indians in New Zealand The West Indians performed much more successfully in New Zealand where they won two and drew two of their four first-class matches. Valentine participated in only the two Tests and captured eight wickets to take his total to 65 in his first 11 Tests. This was by far the most wonderful start to a Test career by any West Indian. He bowled with exceptional steadiness in the second encounter, conceding only 29 runs from 34.4 overs at Auckland. In conditions that were reminiscent of England in 1950, Ramadhin and Valentine were almost irresistible. The former took 24 wickets at minimal cost in the four first-class matches. Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 36. WEST INDIES v NEW ZEALAND, Christchurch, February 8, 9, 11, 12 (West Indies won by five wickets) not out 0 287 38 15 51 3 F.B.Smith c E.DeC.Weekes 236 T.B.Burtt c R.J.Christiani A.M.Moir c F.M.M.Worrell did not bat - 142-5 41 19 73 2 R.W.G.Emery c J.B.Stollmeyer 189 J.R.Reid b 37. WEST INDIES v NEW ZEALAND, Auckland, February 15, 16, 18, (19) (Match drawn) did not bat - 546-6d 34.4 21 29 3 V.J.Scott c J.B.Stollmeyer 160 J.R.Reid st S.C.Guillen T.B.Burtt c J.D.C.Goddard - - - - 17-1 SEASON’S AVERAGES Batting and Fielding M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct Test matches 2 1 1 0 0* - - - - Career 37 43 10 132 14 4.00 - - 14 Bowling O M R W BB Ave 5i 10m Test matches (6-ball) 113.4 55 153 8 3-29 19.12 - - Career (6-ball) 1382.2 546 } 4218 208 8-26 20.27 18 5 (8-ball) 537.3 101 1952 – Commonwealth XI in England Valentine took part in one game this summer when he was invited to play for a Commonwealth XI against the Indian tourists. Led by B.A.Barnett, the Australian-born emigrant to England, the Commonwealth XI contained cricketers from six different countries. The Indians recovered from a bad start (117/5) to make 362 in their first innings and the Commonwealth XI had eventually to settle for a draw. Valentine’s contribution was three wickets. Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 38. Commonwealth XI v Indians, Blackpool, July 23, 24, 25 (Match drawn) not out 0 215 26 3 106 1 D.G.Phadkar c R.Pollard 362 did not bat - 254-6 27 5 65 2 M.K.Mantri b 213-3d D.K.Gaekwad b SEASON’S AVERAGES Batting and Fielding M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct Other match 1 1 1 0 0* - - - - Career 38 44 11 132 14 4.00 - - 14 16