Alec Bedser, born July 4, 1918, was one of the greatest medium-pace bowlers of all time, at one time the holder of the world record for the highest number of Test wickets, and for long the lone crusader as the England pace bowling attack after the Second World War. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who dismissed Don Bradman six times in Test matches.
Read MoreJohnny Wardle - rare class, stupendous record, short-lived career
Johnny Wardle (born January 8, 1923) took 102 wickets in 28 Tests at an average and economy rate that rank among the best of all time. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the man whose circumstances and attitude prevented him from achieving much more in his career.
Read MoreTony Lock - excellent spinner, ebullient character and superb close catcher
Tony Lock, born July 5, 1929, was one of the greatest left-arm spinners of his era whose career might have stretched far beyond 49 Tests had his action not raised eyebrows. However, he remodelled his bowling methods again and again to prove to be one of the most enduring and entertaining of cricketers. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the colourful life of this inimitable character.
Read MoreJim Laker - the greatest off-spinner ever?
Jim Laker, born February 9, 1922, was perhaps the best off-spinner ever produced by England, and a man of sophistication, wit and charm. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at his career, during which he took part in just 46 of the 99 matches played by England.
Read MoreWillie Watson - England's unparalleled Double International
Willie Watson, born March 17, 1920, was perhaps the greatest footballer among Test cricketers.Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who played 23 Tests for England while being in the squad of the World Cup football team.
Read MoreCyril Washbrook - the great opening partner of Len Hutton
Cyril Washbrook, born December 6, 1914, was an attractive and gutsy opening batsman who teamed up with the legendary Len Hutton to form one of the greatest combinations at the top of the order. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who made a fairytale comeback to the England team at the age of 41.
Read MoreDenis Compton - Magnificent knight of English batsmanship
Denis Compton, born May 23, 1918, was one of the greatest batsmen of England whose career might have traced even higher paths if he had not been hampered by a near-crippling knee injury. Arunabha Sengupta remembers the knight in shining armour of English cricket who brightened up the drab post-War days of the country with his breath-taking batting.
Bill Edrich - runs, drinks and divorces
Bill Edrich , born March 26, 1916, was one of the pillars of English batting during the difficult phase immediately after the Second World War. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the Middlesex batsman who formed a supreme batting partnership with Denis Compton.
Read MoreHedley Verity - one of the greatest left arm spinners of all time
Hedley Verity, born May 18, 1905, was one of the greatest left-arm spinners ever. Even Don Bradman fell to his guile. Arunabha Sengupta recounts the career of the Yorkshire bowler who was tragically killed in the Second World War.
Read MoreBob Wyatt - combative and respected
Bob Wyatt, born May 2, 1901, was a combative batsman who played 40 Tests for England leading them in 18. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the amateur cricketer who was one of the most respected names in world cricket.
Read MoreCharles Kortright - one of the fastest of all time
Charles Kortright (born January 9, 1871) was one of the fastest bowlers of all time. Arunabha Sengupta remembers the man, who once bowled a delivery which took off from the pitch and went out of the ground without a second bounce!
Read MoreArthur Shrewsbury - the greatest professional batsman of his era
Arthur Shrewsbury, born April 11, 1856, was the premier professional batsman of his generation and, from the mid-1880s to the mid-1890s perhaps the best wielder of the willow in the world. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was the first to score 1,000 runs in Test cricket, was a promoter of cricket tours, ran a thriving sports goods store and, later, took his own life.
Read MoreHDG Leveson Gower - captain, selector and organiser
HDG Leveson-Gower, born May 8, 1873, was an England captain, a famed legislator and Test selector who was instrumental in the success of the Scarborough Festival matches for half a century. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was universally known as ‘Shrimp’ and was knighted for his services to the game.
Read MoreArchie MacLaren - brilliant, boorish and bankrupt
Archie MacLaren, born December 1, 1871, led England in 22 of the 35 Tests of his career. A batsman of style and panache, he was a controversial and often unpopular character who struggled with financial problems all his life. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was described by Neville Cardus, rather misleadingly, as the ‘Noblest Roman of All’.
Read MoreTom Sueter - the first batsman to step out to bowlers
Tom Seuter, born April 17, 1750, was a Hambledon cricketer during the second half of the 18th century. Arunabha Sengupta pays tribute to the batsman who has gone down in history as the first man to step down the wicket to hit a ball.
Read MoreBernard Bosanquet - the inventor of the googly
Bernard Bosanquet, born October 13, 1877, was the first man to bowl a ball with a leg-spinner’s action and make it break from the off. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career and life of the man who invented one of the most intriguing weapons of cricket — the googly.
Read MorePasty Hendren - superb cricketer, beloved entertainer
Patsy Hendren, born February 5, 1889, was a brilliant batsman, extraordinary fielder and one of the most popular players to have played the game. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the long and colourful career of the Middlesex professional.
Read MoreCB Fry - a life worth living
CB Fry, born April 25, 1872, was an England cricket captain, football international, the world record holder for long jump and a classical scholar. These were a few of his remarkable deeds in a life worth living. Arunabha Sengupta revisits the days of this greatest of all-rounders ever to walk on the planet.
Read MoreKS Ranjitsinhji - Prince of a Small State, King of a Great Game
KS Ranjitsinhji, born September 10, 1872, was a magical batsman, the first wristy wizard from the orient and the creator of the leg glance. Arunabha Sengupta looks at the life and career of the man better known as “The Prince of a small state, but the king of a great game”.
Read MoreAndrew Stoddart - The first captain to declare a Test innings
Andrew Stoddart, born March 11, 1863, was a rare double international who led England in both cricket and rugby. One of the best batsmen of his time, he was the first captain to declare an innings in a Test match. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man whose end was as sad as his deeds had been happy.
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