Narotam "Tom" Puna (28 October 1929 – 7 June 1996) was a New Zealand cricketer who played in three Tests in 1966.
 Tom Puna in 1962–63 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Narotam Puna | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 28 October 1929 Surat, Gujarat, India | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 7 June 1996 (aged 66) Hamilton, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm off-break | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National side |
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| Test debut (cap 111) | 25 February 1966 v England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Test | 11 March 1966 v England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1956–57 to 1968–69 | Northern Districts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 1 April 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Life and career
Puna's family migrated from India to New Zealand when he was eight.[1] He was a fixture in the Northern Districts side from 1956–57 to 1968–69, beginning as a middle-order batsman but descending the order as his off-spin bowling developed. His best innings figures were 6 for 25 against Otago in Hamilton in 1966–67 (match figures of 59–29–66–9).[2] When he retired he was Northern Districts' leading wicket-taker, with 223.[1]
He took 34 wickets at 13.70 in the Plunket Shield in the 1965–66 season,[3] and was selected as New Zealand's principal spinner in all three Tests against the visiting England team later that season.[1]
His sons Ashok[4] and Kirti[5] also played for Northern Districts.