Ivo Bligh, born March 13, 1859, was the captain of England who travelled to Australia in 1882-83, in the first quest for the Ashes, and returned with success on many fronts. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the eighth Earl of Darnley whose tale is one of adventure, passion and romance — the greatest love story in the history of the game.
Read MoreGeorge Hirst - great allrounder, pioneer of the 'swerve'
George Hirst, born September 7, 1871, was the greatest all-rounder of England of his day and one of the greatest ever. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the man who achieved the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets 14 times in his career and also pioneered the art of ‘swerve’ bowling.
Read MoreGeorge Lohmann - The man with the best bowling average and strike rate
George Lohmann, born June 2, 1865, was the greatest bowler of his day. With 112 wickets in 18 Tests, he boasts the best bowling average and strike rate among bowlers with more than 15 wickets. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life, career and premature death of the Surrey bowler.
Read MoreColin Cowdrey - England's charming Legend
Colin Cowdrey, born December 24, 1932, was one of the greatest ever batsmen produced by England, and one of the most charming men to have graced the game. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who started his career facing Keith Miller and Ray Lindwall and ended it negotiating Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson.
Read MoreLen Hutton - perhaps the greatest opener in the post-War era
Sir Leonard Hutton, born June 23, 1916, was one of the greatest opening batsmen of all time and one of the most successful captains of England. Arunabha Sengupta remembers this personification of perfect technique who continued on his path to greatness even after his left arm was shortened by two inches due to injury.
Read MoreGilbert Jessop - perhaps the fastest scorer of all time
With his crouching predatory stance, Gilbert Jessop, born May 19, 1874, was perhaps the hardest hitter of all times. Arunabha Sengupta pays tribute to the legendary cricketer.
Read MoreWally Hammond - Grit, Grandeur, Grace and Grief
Wally Hammond, born June 19, 1903, was a peerless stroke-maker through the off-side, a fascinating combination of grace and grandeur, one of the greatest batsmen of all time, perhaps the best slip fielder ever produced in the game, and a more than handy bowler.Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of a charismatic cricketer and a complex character.
Read MorePeter May - classic and charismatic
Peter May, born on December 31, 1929, was a hero of the post-War period when England dominated world cricket. Arunabha Sengupta remembers the classical batsman and charismatic captain on his 83rd birthday.
Read MoreJack Hobbs - forever the master
Jack Hobbs, born December 16, 1884, was the greatest batsman in the world during his day, the man who took the mantle of the master from WG Grace, managed to add a further sheen of glory to it before passing it on to Don Bradman. Arunabha Sengupta pays homage to his 30 year career.
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Les Ames - good behind the stumps, fantastic in front
Les Ames(born December 3, 1905) was the first choice England wicket-keeper of the 1930s and also a batsman good enough to score 100 First-class hundreds. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of the stumper who held his own as a batsman in an era of Don Bradman, George Headley and Wally Hammond.
Read MoreHerbert Sutcliffe - one of the greatest of them all
Herbert Sutcliffe (born November 24, 1894) was one of the best opening batsmen ever. Arunabha Sengupta looks back on the career of the man who ranks right up there with the greatest bad-wicket players of all time.
Read MoreHarold Larwood - villain of the Bodyline series
Harold Larwood, born November 14, 1904, was perhaps the fastest and most dreaded bowler of all time. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man synonymous with Bodyline.
Read MoreWilfred Rhodes - Nearly 40000 runs and over 4000 wickets
Wilfred Rhodes (born October 29, 1877) was a great left-arm spinner who also made himself into a top class opening batsman. Arunabha Sengupta pays tribute to the man who has inspired some of the greatest cricket literature.
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Douglas Jardine - villain or visionary captain
Douglas Jardine, born October 23, 1900, was a brilliant captain who is also infamous for the most questionable and dangerous tactic ever used on the cricket field – Bodyline. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of the complex cricketer.
Read MoreJohn Snow - Rebel, Fast Bowler and Poet
Few batsmen ever managed to play him comfortably, but John Snow , born Oct 13, 1941, had plenty of trouble dealing with his own captains and management. However, despite his rebellious nature and the menace he carried, he also wrote poetry and could be philosophical. Arunabha Sengupta pays homage to the unusual fast bowler .
Read MoreWG Grace - the Father of Cricket
WG Grace, born July 18, 1848, is a character of near mythical proportions, striding across the pages of cricket history like a Colossus. Arunabha Sengupta traces the life and times of a man whose legend continues to be too difficult to capture in a single article.
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