Chuck Fleetwood-Smith, born March 30, 1908, was the first left-arm wrist spinner of Australia who made it to the Test side. A maverick genius if there ever was one, he did not do justice to even a fraction of his talent. Arunabha Sengupta recalls the career and the troubled life of this Test star who later became a vagrant.
Read MoreBert Ironmonger - the finger spinner without half a finger
Bert Ironmonger, born April 7, 1882, as gone down as the best left-arm spinner produced by Australia. Strangely, he had lost half of his spinning finger in a childhood accident. Arunabha Sengupta remembers the modest, frugal, hardworking man who made his Test debut at the age of 46, and was perhaps the worst batsman of his day.
Read MoreJack Fingleton - gutsy player and decent writer with an unhealthy obsession for Don Bradman
Jack Fingleton, born April 28, 1908, was an opening batsman who played 18 Tests for Australia. He was also a journalist of repute and a prolific writer about the game, whose often splendid commentaries were blackened by his extreme antagonism for Don Bradman. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of man who was at home while reporting about Len Hutton and John F Kennedy.
Read MoreJack Blackham - Australia's wicketkeeping prince
Jack Blackham, born May 11, 1854, was the first ever Test wicketkeeper of Australia and one of the best the great cricketing country has ever produced. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was a permanent fixture behind the wickets for the first 17 years of Test cricket and led the country in eight matches.
Read MoreIan Craig - the youngest Australian captain
Ian Craig, who passed away on November 16, 2014, was the youngest Australian Test cricketer and the nation’s youngest ever captain. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who could never quite manage to handle the burden of expectations of being prematurely labelled the New Bradman.
Read MoreIan Chappell - controversial, candid and charismatic
Ian Chappell, born September 26, 1943, was one of the most charismatic captains of Australia and one of the most controversial characters in the game. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was the architect behind the image of the Ugly Australians.
Greg Chappell -one of the very best
Greg Chappell, born August 7, 1948, was a visual delight when in full flow, a graceful, elegant batsman, the toughest of competitors and one of the more combative and controversial characters of the game.Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who is perhaps the greatest Australian batsman since Don Bradman.
Read MoreHerbie Collins - captain, batsman, soldier, gambler
Herbie Collins, born January 21, 1888, was a dour batsman and a respected captain of Australia, whose exit from Test cricket was marred by controversy.Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the soldier, cricketer and gambler.
Read MoreNip Pellew - one of the greatest fielders of all time
Nip Pellew, born September 21, 1893, was a member of Warwick Armstrong’s splendid Australian team of 1921 and one of the best outfielders the game has seen. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who is considered greatest Australian fielder of the first half of the 20th century.
Read MoreErnie Jones - the man who bowled through the beard of WG Grace
Ernie Jones, born September 30, 1869, was one of the fastest bowlers in the game and has become immortal after sending a ball through WG Grace’s beard. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was the first cricketer to be called for chucking in a Test match.
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Arthur Mailey - Leg Spinner, Painter, Cartoonist, Writer
Arthur Mailey, born January 3, 1886, was a leg spinner of great flight and turn and a fascinatingly interesting character. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was variously a cricketer, labourer, cartoonist, painter and writer.
Read MoreCharles Kelleway - a genuine allrounder
Charles Kelleway, born April 25, 1886, was a dour batsman and a more than useful medium pacer who played 26 Tests for Australia. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was once called ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ by Wisden.
Read MoreStan McCabe - the glorious contemporary of Bradman
Stan McCabe, born July 16, 1910, was one of the most exciting batsmen to watch, and immortalised for three supreme innings played during his career. Arunabha Sengupta remembers the batsman who was among the supreme stroke-players and also one of the best loved cricketers of his day.
Read MoreHugh Trumble - the first great off-spinner in Test history
Hugh Trumble, born May 12, 1867, was the first great off-spinner in the history of the game. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the Australian bowler who was the first man to achieve two hat-tricks in Test cricket.
Read MoreAlec Bannerman - one of the greatest stonewallers of all time
Alec Bannerman, born March 21, 1854, was an Australian opening batsman whom the crowd would often find ‘as wearisome to the flesh as fleas in a warm bed’. Arunabha Sengupta recalls one of the greatest stonewallers the game of cricket has ever seen.
Read MoreFred Spofforth - the first aggressive fast bowler and one of the very best
Fred Spofforth, born September 9, 1853, was one of the greatest bowlers to have played the game and nicknamed ‘The Demon’ for his many scary and diabolical spells. Arunabha Sengupta looks at the life and career of the first fast bowler with an aggressive attitude.
Read MoreClem Hill - one of Australia's best
Clem Hill, born March 18, 1877, was one of the greatest batsmen produced by Australia and one of the game’s most memorable characters. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who held the world record for the highest aggregate of runs in Test cricket for 22 years.
Read MoreClarrie Grimmett - the man who invented the flipper
Clarrie Grimmett, born December 25, 1891, was one of the greatest leg-spinners of all time and the man credited to have developed the ‘flipper’. Arunabha Sengupta remembers the ‘Gnome’ and his career on his 121st birthday.
Read MoreBill O'Reilly - The greatest leg-spinner of all time?
Bill O’Reilly, born December 20, 1905, was considered by Don Bradman to be the greatest bowler he had faced or seen. Arunabha Sengupta recalls the immortal character who bowled leg-spin with the spirit of a fast bowler.
Read MoreKeith Miller - the dashing, debonair dazzler
Keith Miller, born November 28, 1919, was the greatest all-rounder to ever take the field for Australia. Arunabha Sengupta pays homage to the dashing and debonair ‘Nugget’ who demonstrated that there was a lot more to life than cricket.
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