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.
Read MoreAlec Bedser - England's one man bowling army during the post-War years
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 MoreKepler Wessels - a fascinating journey over endless obstacles
Kepler Wessels, born September 14, 1957, battled his way through South African isolation, going through fascinating and curious journeys around the globe and across teams. He played as a rebel, multiple times, as an Australian cricketer and led South Africa after their readmission and was one of the gustiest batsmen around. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at one of the most fantastic cricketing journeys of modern times.
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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Charles Llewellyn - perhaps South Africa's first non-white Test cricketer
Charles Llewellyn, born September 26, 1876, was a sterling all-rounder who is often considered the first ever non-white player to play Test cricket for South Africa. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at fascinating journey of this largely unsung cricketer across multiple hurdles on and off the field.
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