Bill Lockwood, born March 25, 1868, was one of the greatest fast bowlers of England during the turn of the last century, who formed a lethal combination for Surrey and his country with Tom Richardson.Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was plagued with personal problems of the most tragic kind through his playing days and yet managed to emerge as a sterling cricketer.
Read MoreFrancis Alexander Mackinnon - a hat-trick victim in his only Test
Francis Alexander Mackinnon, born April 9, 1848, was the 35th chieftain of the Mackinnon Clan and a Test cricketer for England. Arunabha Sengupta remembers the life and career of the man who was the second batsman to be dismissed during Test cricket’s first hat-trick.
Read MoreDoug Insole - not just an administrator
Doug Insole, born April 18, 1926, gained repute and honours as a cricket administrator and became the president of MCC. However, before that he was an all-round sportsman — one of the pillars of Essex in the 1950s who played nine Tests for England, and also a skilled footballer. Arunabha Sengupta recalls the career of the man who scored hundreds against every county side except the one he represented.
Read MoreJohn Small - the first man to use a straight bat
John Small, born April 19, 1737, was the first man to employ a straight bat and the greatest batsman during the early days of cricket. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was one of the greatest innovators seen in the game.
Read MoreJack Hearne - a medium-pacer of rare class
Jack Hearne, born May 3, 1867, was a medium pacer with a beautiful action who played 12 Tests for England and turned out in First-Class cricket for almost 35 years. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of man who became the first English bowler to claim a hat-trick in Test cricket, scalping perhaps the most celebrated trio of batsmen to have featured in such a feat.
Read MoreDavid Allen - a quality off-spinner
David Allen, who passed away on May 25, 2014, was a Gloucestershire off-spinner who played 39 Tests for England, and would have played far more had his career not overlapped with Fred Titmus and Ray Illingworth. Arunabha Sengupta pays tribute to the man who is remembered for facing the last two Wes Hall deliveries at Lord’s as Colin Cowdrey stood at the non-striker’s end with his left arm in plaster.
Read MoreJohnny Won't Hit Today - The tale of the versatile JWHT Douglas
Johnny Douglas, born September 3, 1882, was an England captain on either side of the First World War and Olympic gold medal winning boxer. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of this versatile sportsman who also won a cap for England in Amateur Football.
Read MoreJohn Wisden - not just the name behind Cricket's Bible
John Wisden, born September 5, 1826, was more than the man behind the Bible of cricket. He was a fantastic quick bowler and a leading all-rounder of his day. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who is synonymous with the last word in cricket.
Read MoreFred Titmus - off-spinning all-rounder who continued after losing toes
Fred Titmus, born November 24, 1932, was the first choice off-spinner of England in the 1960s and a batsman good enough to open the innings for the country when the situation demanded. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who survived an accident which cost him four toes.
Read MoreMike Brearley - the captain with the degree in people
Mike Brearley, born April 28, 1942, was one of the most successful captains ever seen in cricket. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and leadership of the man who supposedly had ‘a degree in people’.
Read MoreTony Lewis - England captain on debut
Tony Lewis, born July 6, 1938, was the last captain to lead England on his debut. Arunabha Sengupta revisits the life and career of this cricketer of limited success but infinite charm.
Read MoreMJK Smith - respected captain, enterprising cricketer
MJK Smith, born June 30, 1933, was one of the most popular captains of England. Arunabha Sengupta remembers the career of the man who led in exactly half the number of Tests he played, and was the last captain to win a series against South Africa for over 32 years.
Read MoreBrian Close - controversial, candid, and a promise unfulfilled
Brian Close, born February 24, 1931, had a Test career spanning 27 years, although the number of Tests he played were just 22.That did not prevent him from becoming a legend because of his success in the county circuit and his aggressive and intelligent captaincy for Yorkshire and England. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was an enigma — composed of unfulfilled promises and controversies.
Read MoreDerek Underwood - great and unconventional left-arm spinner
Derek Underwood, born June 8, 1945, was one of the greatest spinners of all time, unplayable on damp wickets. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of the Kent legend who was the most successful spinner of his generation in spite of his career coinciding with the great Indian spin quartet.
Read MoreBasil D'Oliveira - the man at the centre of cricket crisis
Basil D’Oliveira, born October 4, 1931, was a phenomenally talented cape-coloured South African cricketer. His fascinating journey into the Test world in England reached a climax in 1968 when the refusal of the South African government to admit him into the country triggered the boycott of the nation from sporting activities for over two decades. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the man who arrived in England after his best years and played 44 Tests for the country
Read MoreTom Graveney - the man who performed like old wine
Tom Graveney, born June 16, 1927, was one of the most elegant and graceful batsmen to play for England. Arunabha Sengupta remembers the man who enjoyed the best part of his career after being recalled to the England side to face Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith at the age of 39.
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Ted Dexter - flamboyant and charming
Ted Dexter, born May 15, 1935, was one of the most fascinating characters of English cricket with fearless stroke-play, dashing image and debonair attitude.Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was at his very best against high quality fast bowling, and was further characterised by his love for life, specifically golf, racehorses and bikes.
Read MoreFrank Tyson - The Typhoon
Frank Tyson, born June 6, 1930, is virtually unmatched in cricket history in terms of the raw pace he generated or the sheer terror he struck in the hearts of batsmen. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the hero of the 1954-55 Ashes, whom both Don Bradman and Richie Benaud considered the fastest bowler they had ever witnessed.
Read MoreBrian Statham - a great fast bowler of a champion side
Brian Statham, born June 17, 1930, was one of the greatest fast bowlers produced by England, and the holder of the world record for Test wickets for a short period of time. Arunabha Sengupta remembers the life and career of the man who was perhaps one of the most universally loved characters in the game.
Fred Trueman - England's greatest fast bowler and perhaps most colourful character
Fred Trueman, born February 6, 1931, was arguably the greatest fast bowler and undeniably the most colourful character produced by England. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at his fascinating career.
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