Oscar Da Costa

Oscar Da Costa was a good allround player, who could bat, bowl medium-pace, and was also an athletic fielder. He made his debut against England in the final - timeless - Test at Kingston, scoring 39 batting at No. 8 and taking a wicket in either innings. He was selected to tour England in 1933 and scored more than a thousand runs, including his only first-class hundred against Essex. He was less impressive with the ball, and failed in the Tests. His final Test appearance came against England in 1934-35, by which time his batting had become more important than his bowling. A renowned joker, he carried a rubber stamp embossed with his signature to save him time signing autographs and to ensure that nobody wanting one was disappointed. He died prematurely in 1935, the first West Indian Test cricketer to do so.
Martin Williamson