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{{Infobox cricketer biography
 |          playername = Les Ames
 |             country = England
 |               image = Les Ames (1932).jpg
 |            fullname = Leslie Ethelbert George Ames
 |          dayofbirth = 3
 |        monthofbirth = 12
 |         yearofbirth = 1905
 |        placeofbirth = [[Elham]], [[Kent]]
 |      countryofbirth = [[England]]
 |          dayofdeath = 27
 |        monthofdeath = 2
 |         yearofdeath = 1990
 |        placeofdeath = [[Canterbury]], [[Kent]]
 |      countryofdeath = [[England]]
 |             batting = Right-handed
 |             bowling = Right arm [[leg break]]
 |                role = [[Wicket-keeper]]
 |       international = true
 |       testdebutdate = 17 August
 |       testdebutyear = 1929
 |    testdebutagainst = South Africa
 |             testcap = 244
 |        lasttestdate = 3 March
 |        lasttestyear = 1939
 |     lasttestagainst = South Africa
 |               club1 = [[Kent County Cricket Club|Kent]]
 |               year1 = 1926&ndash;1951
 |             columns = 2
 |             column1 = [[Test matches|Tests]]
 |            matches1 = 47
 |               runs1 = 2,434
 |            bat avg1 = 40.56
 |           100s/50s1 = 8/7
 |          top score1 = 149
 |         deliveries1 = &ndash;
 |            wickets1 = &ndash;
 |           bowl avg1 = &ndash;
 |            fivefor1 = &ndash;
 |             tenfor1 = &ndash;
 |       best bowling1 = &ndash;
 |  catches/stumpings1 = 74/23
 |             column2 = [[First-class cricket|First-class]]
 |            matches2 = 593
 |               runs2 = 37,248
 |            bat avg2 = 43.51
 |           100s/50s2 = 102/176
 |          top score2 = 295
 |         deliveries2 = 1,383
 |            wickets2 = 24
 |           bowl avg2 = 33.37
 |            fivefor2 = 0
 |             tenfor2 = 0
 |       best bowling2 = 3/23
 |  catches/stumpings2 = 704/417
 |                date = 1 January
 |                year = 1952
 |              source = http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/8532.html Cricinfo
}}
'''Leslie Ethelbert George Ames''' [[Order of the British Empire#Commander (CBE)|CBE]]<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=45984|date=22 May 1973|startpage=6480|supp=a|accessdate=13 January 2010}}</ref> (3 December 1905 &ndash; 27 February 1990) was an English [[cricket]]er who played 47 [[Test cricket|Test matches]] as a [[wicket-keeper]] between 1929 and 1939. Upon his death he was described by the ''[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack]]'' as "the greatest wicket-keeper-batsman the game has so far produced"<ref name="wisdenobit">{{cite web|url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/155339.html|title=Les Ames obituary|work=[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack]]|publisher=John Wisden & Co.|date=1991|accessdate=16 July 2008}}</ref>

==Youth and early career==
Ames was born in [[Elham]], [[Kent]] into a cricketing family: his father Harold played for the local side as a "much feared" [[Left-arm orthodox spin|left arm spin bowler]], whilst his grandfather was an [[Umpire (cricket)|umpire]].<ref name="amesp2">Carlaw (2005), p. 73</ref> Ames was encouraged to take up cricket from an early age, with the former [[Test cricket]]er [[Francis MacKinnon]]; a friend of the family, offering further encouragement.<ref name="amesp2" /> Between 1916 and 1922, Ames was a student at the [[Harvey Grammar School]] in [[Folkestone]],<ref name="memorial">{{cite web|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=AWNB&p_text_direct-0=document_id=(%200F924C54039C1E7C%20)&p_docid=0F924C54039C1E7C&p_theme=aggregated5&p_queryname=0F924C54039C1E7C&f_openurl=yes&p_nbid=V54W55RJMTI1Nzg2NzMwNC4zOTU4MToxOjk6MTI4LjMuMC4w&&p_multi=LTIB|title=Ames memorial|last=Times|first=Father|date=9 July 1997|work=[[The Times]]|accessdate=4 April 2009}}</ref> where he scored his first century against the Dover County School.

Upon leaving education, Ames became an apprentice at his cousin's grocery business in [[Brabourne]], where he joined the Smeeth Cricket Club. He gained his first experience of wicket-keeping here "when the regular wicket-keeper persisted in missing chances from his [[Captain (cricket)|skipper]]'s [[Leg break|leg-spin]]".<ref name="amesp2" /> However, it was his batting that was beginning to get him noticed, and in April 1924 he was invited to trial with Kent. Ames failed to gain a place on the staff for the [[1924 English cricket season|1924 season]], however, an unbeaten innings of 185 brought him an invitation to play for Ashford against Kent Club and Ground. After scoring 46, Ames was invited to play for the Club and Ground side, under the coaching of captain [[Gerry Weigall]].

Weigall was a coach of the opinion that "a professional needed to excel in more than one department",<ref name="amesp2" /> and Ames found himself a reluctant wicket-keeper. Using kit borrowed from the Kent second team wicket-keeper [[Arthur Povey]], Ames kept wicket cleanly, and by the end of the season had made four appearances for the county second eleven.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketarchive.com/cgi-bin/player_oracle_reveals_results2.cgi?playernumber=516&playername=ames&playernameexact=&displayplayername=LEG%20Ames&team=&teamexact=&opponent=&opponentexact=&captain=&wicketkeeper=&homeawaytype=All&matchtype=&resulttype=All&startseason=1924&endseason=1924&searchtype=InningsList&startscore=&endscore=&startwicket=&endwicket=&branding=cricketarchive|title=Player Oracle Results &ndash; LEG Ames &ndash; 1924|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=18 July 2008}}</ref> Ames' performances in those four matches persuaded the county to add him to their staff; and with Povey not re-engaged for the 1925 season Ames became the regular second-team wicket-keeper.<ref name="amesp3">Carlaw, p. 74.</ref>

==First-class emergence==
Ames made his [[first-class cricket|first-class]] debut for Kent in July 1926, playing in both matches of the [[Nevill Ground|Tunbridge Wells festival]] against [[Warwickshire County Cricket Club|Warwickshire]] and [[Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club|Nottinghamshire]]. Owing to the presence of [[Jack Hubble]] in the Kent side, Ames played both matches as a specialist batsman, scoring 65 runs across three innings, while also taking four catches in the field.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/11/11966.html|title=Kent v Warwickshire in 1926|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=13 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/11/11976.html|title=Kent v Nottinghamshire in 1926|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=13 January 2010}}</ref> His first match as wicket-keeper for the county was the opening game of the 1927 season, where in an innings victory against [[Worcestershire County Cricket Club|Worcestershire]] he scored his first half century and shared a partnership of 155 with [[Percy Chapman]].<ref name="amesp3" /> His maiden first-class [[Century (cricket)|century]] came in a losing cause against [[Hampshire County Cricket Club|Hampshire]] in June,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/12/12283.html|title=Hampshire v Kent in 1927|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=14 January 2010}}</ref> while he completed one thousand runs for the season at the beginning of August.<ref name="amesp3" />

The 1928 season proved very successful for Ames, with his performances that year culminating in his citation as one of the ''[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack]]'''s five [[Wisden Cricketers of the Year|Cricketers of the Year]].<ref name="coty" /> He finished fourth in the county's Championship run-scoring charts, with a total of 1,666 runs in 48 innings.<ref name="1928bf">{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/ENG/County_Championship_1928/Kent_Batting.html|title=Batting and Fielding for Kent in County Championship 1928|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=14 January 2010}}</ref> He also improved as a wicket-keeper, finishing the season with 100 Championship [[wicket|dismissals]] and inclusion in the [[Marylebone Cricket Club|MCC]]'s [[English cricket team in Australia in 1928–29|touring party to Australia that winter]], as understudy to [[George Duckworth]].<ref name="coty" /><ref name="1928bf" /><ref name="1928ashes">{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/155207.html|title=M.C.C. team in Australia in 1928&ndash;29|last=Southerton|first=S. J.|date=1930|work=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|publisher=John Wisden & Co|accessdate=14 March 2010}}</ref> With Duckworth at his best on that tour, Ames did not play in any of the Test matches; however it was widely believed he would have made his debut in the final match as a specialist batsman, had he not broken a finger in the match against [[Victorian Bushrangers|Victoria]] a week before.<ref name="1928ashes" /> Nevertheless, he finished the tour with a batting average of exactly 59 from his eight appearances, completed ten stumpings and scored an unbeaten century against the [[Tasmanian Tigers|Tasmanians]] between the third and fourth Tests.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/AUS/Marylebone_Cricket_Club_in_Australia_1928-29/f_Marylebone_Cricket_Club_Batting.html|title=First-class Batting and Fielding for Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia 1928/29|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=16 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/12/12956.html|title=Tasmania v Marylebone Cricket Club in 1928/29|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=16 March 2010}}</ref>

Back in England, Ames continued his fine form into the 1929 season. In completing 102 County Championship dismissals, and 127 in all first-class matches, Ames set new records for wicket-keeping which have not been passed to this day.<ref name="ccvictims" /><ref name="greatwk">{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152460.html|title=The great wicket-keepers|last=Ryder|first=Rowland|date=1972|work=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|publisher=John Wisden & Co|accessdate=16 March 2010}}</ref> With the bat, he accumulated 1,795 runs, average 35.90, with five centuries.<ref name="batseasons">{{cite web|url=http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/0/516/f_Batting_by_Season.html|title=First-class Batting and Fielding in Each Season by Les Ames|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=18 March 2010}}</ref> His best match of the season undoubtedly came against [[Surrey County Cricket Club|Surrey]], where he came within one run of scoring a century in both innings of a match for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/13/13206.html|title=Surrey v Kent in 1929|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=18 March 2010}}</ref>

==Test beginnings==
Ames made his [[Test cricket|Test match]] debut in the fifth Test of [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]]'s 1929 tour of England, replacing [[George Duckworth]] behind the stumps.<ref name="1929test">{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62571.html|title=5th Test: England v South Africa at The Oval, Aug 17&ndash;20, 1929|publisher=Cricinfo|accessdate=14 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151728.html|title=Fifth Test Match England v South Africa 1929|date=1929|work=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|publisher=John Wisden & Co.|accessdate=14 January 2010}}</ref> Batting at [[Batting order (cricket)|number eight]], he was dismissed for a duck in England's only innings, caught off the bowling of leg-spinner [[Quintin McMillan]]; while with the gloves he took two catches off the bowling of fellow debutant [[Edward Clark (cricketer)|Nobby Clark]].<ref name="1929test" /> However, he blotted his copybook somewhat by dropping [[Herbie Taylor]] on seven, off the bowling of his Kent teammate [[Frank Woolley]]; Taylor went on to make 121.<ref name="amesp3" />

Despite his duck on debut, he was included in England's party of fourteen for the [[English cricket team in West Indies in 1929&ndash;30|tour of the West Indies]] that winter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/155209.html|title=M. C. C. team in the West Indies 1929-30|date=1931|work=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|publisher=John Wisden & Co.|accessdate=14 January 2010}}</ref> Despite initially struggling with the bat, failing to pass twenty in the first two tour matches,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/13/13339.html|title=Barbados v Marylebone Cricket Club in 1929/30|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=26 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/13/13343.html|title=Barbados v Marylebone Cricket Club in 1929/30|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=26 March 2010}}</ref> he was named in the side for the First Test at the [[Kensington Oval]]. By the end of that match, he had finally gained some match practice, scoring an [[not out|unbeaten]] 44 in the second innings as the match drifted to a draw.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62576.html|title=1st Test: West Indies v England at Bridgetown, Jan 11-16, 1930|publisher=Cricinfo|accessdate=26 March 2010}}</ref> The Second Test, played at the [[Queen's Park Oval]], saw Ames complete his first Test match century. Coming to the crease with England 52/3 in their second innings; only six runs ahead overall, Ames and [[Patsy Hendren]] added 237 for the fourth wicket, having both survived early chances.<ref name="192930t2">{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151747.html|title=Second Test Match West Indies v England 1929-30|date=1931|work=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|publisher=John Wisden & Co|accessdate=26 March 2010}}</ref> Ames was eventually caught by a [[Substitute (cricket)|substitute fielder]] for 105, having hit seventeen [[Boundary (cricket)|fours]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62577.html|title=2nd Test: West Indies v England at Port of Spain, Feb 1-6, 1930|publisher=Cricinfo|accessdate=26 March 2010}}</ref> He followed up with a second consecutive century in his next innings, this time against [[Guyana national cricket team|British Guiana]], as MCC won comfortably by an innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/13/13372.html|title=British Guiana v Marylebone Cricket Club in 1929/30|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=26 March 2010}}</ref>

The final Test of the tour was a timeless match...

==Bodyline tour and ''"annus mirabilis"''==

==Administrative career==

==Outside cricket==
===Other sports and war service===
Ames also played [[association football]] briefly; making appearances for [[Gillingham F.C.]] and [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Clapton Orient F.C.]] in the early 1930's as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Roger|last=Triggs|title=The Men Who Made Gillingham Football Club|publisher=Tempus Publishing Ltd|year=2001|isbn=0-7524-2243-X|pages=10}}</ref> He was also registered as a player with [[Charlton Athletic F.C.]] in January 1925, but did not make a first-team appearance.<ref>Cameron, Colin (2005): "Kent and Charlton Athletic"; from Kent County Cricket Club Annual, ''Kent County Cricket Club''. pp. 46. {{ISBN|0952 792613}}.</ref>

Following the outbreak of the [[World War II|Second World War]], Ames served in the [[Royal Air Force]].<ref name="wisdenobit" /><ref name="amesp4">Carlaw, p. 75</ref> Working mainly in an administrative role, he rose to the rank of [[Squadron Leader]].<ref name="amesp4" />

Despite his war duties, Ames was able to play a degree of cricket: he made 20 appearances for the Royal Air Force's cricket team between 1941 and 1945,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketarchive.com/cgi-bin/player_oracle_reveals_results2.cgi?playernumber=516&playername=ames&playernameexact=&displayplayername=LEG%20Ames&team=&teamexact=&opponent=&opponentexact=&captain=&wicketkeeper=&homeawaytype=All&matchtype=&resulttype=All&startseason=1939/40&endseason=1945&searchtype=InningsList&startscore=&endscore=&startwicket=&endwicket=&branding=cricketarchive|title=Player Oracle Results &ndash; LEG Ames &ndash; 1939/40 to 1945|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=23 November 2009}}</ref> scoring an unbeaten century at [[Lord's Cricket Ground]] on his debut against the [[British Army]]'s cricket team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/136/136381.html|title=Army v Royal Air Force in 1941|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=23 November 2009}}</ref> He also took several wickets for various teams with his occasional leg break bowling, including two in an innings for Coventry against [[London Counties cricket team|London Counties]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/136/136453.html|title=Coventry v London Counties in 1942|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=23 November 2009}}</ref> and a [[Hat-trick#Cricket|hat-trick]] in a club match against Epsom.<ref name="amesp4" />

===Later life===
Ames died suddenly at home at the age of 84 on 26 February 1990, despite having been an enthusiastic golfer and walker until the day of his death.<ref name="amesp5" /> A [[Funeral#Memorial service|memorial service]] was held for him in [[Canterbury Cathedral]], which was attended by over a thousand people.<ref name="wisdenobit" /> He left a widow, Bunty, and two children from his previous marriage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:LTIB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F925A6B5F16823E&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815|title=Leslie Ames - Obituary|date=28 February 1990|work=The Times|accessdate=23 November 2009}}</ref>

==Style==
At the time of his death in 1990, Ames was described as "without a doubt the greatest wicket-keeper-batsman the game has so far produced".<ref name="wisdenobit" /> When [[List of cricket terms#S|standing up to the stumps]], he crouched very low; a technique which enabled him to stand up to all except the fastest bowlers.<ref name="coty" /><ref name="amesp1" /> In his citation as a [[Wisden Cricketers of the Year|''Wisden'' Cricketer of the Year]] in 1929, his wicket-keeping was described as "without fuss or attempt at spectacular effort".<ref name="coty">{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154699.html|title=Les Ames &ndash; Cricketer of the Year 1929|date=1929|work=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|publisher=John Wisden & Co|accessdate=12 January 2010}}</ref>

During his playing days, however, it was generally believed that there were better wicket-keepers in England than Ames, with [[George Duckworth]] regularly cited as an example. The media regularly played up a rivalry between Ames and Duckworth through the 1930's, but in reality the two were close friends.<ref name="amesp4" /> It was at Duckworth's suggestion that Ames took to placing a raw steak inside his gloves, to protect his hands while keeping wicket on hard Australian pitches.<ref name="amesp4" />

As a batsman, Ames was a technically correct, yet aggressive, batsman who was particularly proficient at [[Batting (cricket)#Drive|driving]] and [[Batting (cricket)#Cut|cutting]]. His aggressive batting style meant that he was one of the few batsman to [[Batting (cricket)#Pull and hook|hook]] [[Harold Larwood]] for [[Boundary (cricket)#Scoring Runs|six]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=AWNB&p_text_direct-0=document_id=(%200F925A4F9D1E2AED%20)&p_docid=0F925A4F9D1E2AED&p_theme=aggregated5&p_queryname=0F925A4F9D1E2AED&f_openurl=yes&p_nbid=Q65W5AFYMTI2MzMxODQ0NS43NzUwMDM6MTo5OjEyOC4zLjAuMA&&p_multi=LTIB|title=Firebrand's passion all spent|last=Woodcock|first=John|authorlink=John Woodcock (cricket writer)|date=3 February 1990|work=The Times|accessdate=12 January 2010}}</ref> while his quick footwork meant he was also one of the best players of [[spin bowling]] of the day.<ref name="amesp2" /> He was regarded as a good runner between the wickets, with some considering him to be one of the fastest runners of his era.<ref name="amesp2" />

==Career records and statistics==
===Test matches===
'''Records:'''
* Most runs in a pre-lunch session: 123 v South Africa at The Oval, 1935<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283003.html|title=Records &ndash; Test matches &ndash; Hundred runs before lunch|author=Cricinfo|accessdate=17 July 2008}}</ref>

'''Partnership records:'''
* [[AMI Stadium|Lancaster Park]] fifth wicket partnership record: 242 with [[Wally Hammond]], 1932&ndash;33 v New Zealand<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Grounds/GroundPartnerships.asp?GroundCode=037|title=AMI Stadium ground partnership records|publisher=[[Howstat]]|accessdate=16 July 2008}}</ref>
* [[Lord's Cricket Ground]] eighth wicket partnership record: 246 with [[Gubby Allen]], 1931 v New Zealand<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Grounds/GroundPartnerships.asp?GroundCode=040|title=Lord's ground partnership records|publisher=Howstat|accessdate=24 June 2008}}</ref> &mdash; also an England record for the eighth wicket.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Matches/MatchPartnerships.asp?CountryCode=02|title=England partnership records|publisher=Howstat|accessdate=16 July 2008}}</ref>
* [[Newlands Cricket Ground]] fourth wicket partnership record: 197 with Wally Hammond, 1938&ndash;39 v South Africa<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Grounds/GroundPartnerships.asp?GroundCode=045|title=Newlands ground partnership records|publisher=Howstat|accessdate=16 July 2008}}</ref>
* [[Queen's Park Oval]] fourth wicket partnership record (joint): 237 with [[Patsy Hendren]], 1929&ndash;30 v West Indies<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Grounds/GroundPartnerships.asp?GroundCode=051|title=Queen's Park Oval ground partnership records|publisher=Howstat|accessdate=16 July 2008}}</ref><ref>The Queen's Park Oval record was equalled in 1982&ndash;83, by [[Clive Lloyd]] and [[Larry Gomes]].</ref>
* [[Sabina Park]] fourth wicket partnership record: 249 with [[Andy Sandham]], 1929&ndash;30 v West Indies<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Grounds/GroundPartnerships.asp?GroundCode=053|title=Sabina Park ground partnership records|publisher=Howstat|accessdate=16 July 2008}}</ref>

'''Test centuries:'''
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto" width="80%"
! No. !! Score !! Against !! Pos. !! Inn. !! Test !! Venue !! H/A !! Date !! Result || class="unsortable"|Ref
|-
|| 1 || 105 || {{cr|West Indies}} || 5 || 3 || 2 || [[Queen's Park Oval]], [[Port of Spain]] || Away ||{{dts|format=dmy|1930|2|4}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62577.html|title=2nd Test: West Indies v England at Port of Spain, Feb 1-6, 1930|publisher=Cricinfo|accessdate=11 January 2010}}</ref>
|-
|| 2 || 149 || {{cr|West Indies}} || 5 || 1 || 4 || [[Sabina Park]], [[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]] || Away ||{{dts|format=dmy|1930|4|4}} || Drawn || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62579.html|title=4th Test: West Indies v England at Kingston, Apr 3-12, 1930|publisher=Cricinfo|accessdate=11 January 2010}}</ref>
|-
|| 3 || 137 || {{cr|New Zealand}} || 7 || 2 || 1 || [[Lord's Cricket Ground]], [[London]] || Home ||{{dts|format=dmy|1931|6|27}} || Drawn || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62595.html|title=1st Test: England v New Zealand at Lord's, Jun 27-30, 1931|publisher=Cricinfo|accessdate=11 January 2010}}</ref>
|-
|| 4 || 103 || {{cr|New Zealand}} || 6 || 1 || 1 || [[AMI Stadium|Lancaster Park]], [[Christchurch]] || Away ||{{dts|format=dmy|1933|3|24}} || Drawn || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62611.html|title=1st Test: New Zealand v England at Christchurch, Mar 24-27, 1933|publisher=Cricinfo|accessdate=11 January 2010}}</ref>
|-
|| 5 || 120 || {{cr|Australia}} || 7 || 1 || 2 || [[Lord's Cricket Ground]], [[London]] || Home ||{{dts|format=dmy|1934|6|22}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62620.html|title=2nd Test: England v Australia at Lord's, Jun 22-25, 1934|publisher=Cricinfo|accessdate=11 January 2010}}</ref>
|-
|| 6 || 126 || {{cr|West Indies}} || 6 || 2 || 4 || [[Sabina Park]], [[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]] || Away ||{{dts|format=dmy|1935|3|15}} || Lost || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62627.html|title=4th Test: West Indies v England at Kingston, Mar 14-18, 1935|publisher=Cricinfo|accessdate=11 January 2010}}</ref>
|-
|| 7 || 148* || {{cr|South Africa}} || 6 || 2 || 5 || [[The Oval]], [[London]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1935|8|19}} || Drawn || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62632.html|title=5th Test: England v South Africa at The Oval, Aug 17-20, 1935|publisher=Cricinfo|accessdate=11 January 2010}}</ref>
|-
|| 8 || 115 || {{cr|South Africa}} || 5 || 1 || 2 || [[Newlands Cricket Ground|Newlands]], [[Cape Town]] || Away ||{{dts|format=dmy|1939|1|2}} || Drawn || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62654.html|title=2nd Test: South Africa v England at Kingston, Dec 31, 1938 - Jan 4, 1939|publisher=Cricinfo|accessdate=11 January 2010}}</ref>
|}

'''Career performances:'''
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto" width="80%"
|-
!colspan=2| &nbsp;
!colspan=4| Batting<ref name="batsum">{{cite web
| url = http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/8532.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting
| title = Statsguru - LEG Ames - Test matches - Batting analysis
| accessdate = 11 January 2010
| publisher = Cricinfo}}</ref>
!colspan=4| Wicket-keeping<ref name="bowlsum">{{cite web
| url = http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/8532.html?class=1;template=results;type=fielding
| accessdate = 11 January 2010
| title = Statsguru - LEG Ames - Test Bowling - Fielding analysis
| publisher = Cricinfo}}</ref>
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Opposition
!| Matches
!| Runs
!| Average
!| High Score
!| 100 / 50
!| Catches
!| Stumpings
!| Dismissals per innings
!| Most dismissals (Inns)
|- style="text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]]
|| 17
|| 675
|| 27.00
|| 120
|| 1/4
|| 33
|| 4
|| 1.16
|| 3
|- style="text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | [[India national cricket team|India]]
|| 1
|| 71
|| 35.50
|| 65
|| 0/1
|| 0
|| 0
|| 0.00
|| 0
|- style="text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]]
|| 8
|| 410
|| 58.57
|| 137
|| 2/0
|| 9
|| 3
|| 0.88
|| 3
|- style="text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]]
|| 10
|| 530
|| 48.18
|| 148*
|| 2/1
|| 15
|| 5
|| 1.11
|| 3
|- style="text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]]
|| 11
|| 748
|| 49.86
|| 149
|| 3/1
|| 17
|| 11
|| 1.33
|| 4
|- style="text-align:right; border-top:solid 2px grey;"
| style="text-align:left;" | Overall
|| 47
|| 2,434
|| 40.56
|| 149
|| 8/7
|| 74
|| 23
|| 1.11
|| 4
|}

===First-class matches===
'''Records:'''
*Most dismissals in an English [[county cricket]] season: 102 in the [[1929 English cricket season|1929 season]]<ref name="ccvictims">{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Records/Series/County_Championship/WicketKeeping_Records/Most_Victims_Season.html|title=Most Victims in a Season in the County Championship|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=18 July 2008}}</ref>
*Most stumpings in an English season: 62 in the [[1932 English cricket season|1932 season]]<ref name="amesp1">Carlaw (2005), p. 72</ref>
*1000 runs and 100 dismissals in each of three seasons (1928, 1929, 1932), a feat that has only been achieved once again in county cricket<ref>{{cite book|title=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|publisher=John Wisden & Co. Ltd.|date=2008|edition=145th|pages=303|chapter=First-Class Records &ndash; All-Round Records &ndash; Wicketkeeper's Double}} The only other wicket-keeper to achieve the feat was [[John Murray (cricketer)|John Murray]] in 1957.</ref>
*The only wicket-keeper to score 100 first-class centuries<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdencricketer/content/story/347943.html|title=From Grace to Hick|last=Kidd|first=Patrick|date=2 August 2008|work=The Wisden Cricketer|accessdate=14 March 2010}}</ref>
*Scored a century against every English first-class county of the time, apart from his own county, Kent<ref name="amesp5">Carlaw (2005), p. 76</ref>
*Most stumpings in a first-class career: 417<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283336.html|title=Records &ndash; First-class matches &ndash; Most stumpings in career|publisher=Cricinfo|accessdate=17 July 2008}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book|last=Carlaw|first=Derek|title=Kent County Cricket Club Annual|publisher=Kent County Cricket Club|date=2005|chapter=Leslie Ames: The Centenary of the birth of the greatest wicketkeeper-batsman of them all|isbn=0952-792613}}
*{{cite book|last=Frith|first=David|authorlink=David Frith|title=Bodyline Autopsy|publisher=Aurum Press Ltd|location=London|date=2002|isbn=1-85410-931-6}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
*{{cricinfo|ref=england/content/player/8532.html|name=Les Ames}}

{{Batsmen who have scored 100 first class centuries}}