Tom Puna

Q: How old was Tom Puna when they died?

Tom Puna was 66 years old at the time of death.

Narotam "Tom" Puna (28 October 1929 – 7 June 1996) was a New Zealand cricketer who played in three Test matches in 1966.

Life and career

Puna's family migrated from India to New Zealand when he was eight. 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). When he retired he was Northern Districts' leading wicket-taker, with 223. He also played Hawke Cup cricket for Waikato from 1949 to 1970.

Puna took 34 wickets at 13.70 in the Plunket Shield in the 1965–66 season, and was selected as New Zealand's principal spinner in all three Tests against the visiting England team later that season.

His sons Ashok and Kirti also played for Northern Districts.