Bernard Tancred, born August 20, 1865, was a dour batsman who opened the innings in South Africa’s first Test match and was the best batsman of the country for nearly a decade. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who still holds the world record for the lowest score while carrying his bat in Test cricket.
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 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 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 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.
Mike 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 MoreGreg 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 MoreVijay Hazare - pioneering middle-order master of India
Vijay Hazare, born March 11, 1915, was the first of the many world-class middle order batsmen produced by India and the captain under whom the country won her first ever Test match.Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who scored two hundreds in an Adelaide Test against the furious pace of Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller.
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 MoreVijay Merchant - India's first great batsman
Although he managed to play just 10 Test matches in his career, Vijay Merchant still stands as one of the greatest batsmen produced by India. Arunabha Sengupta remembers the legendary opener.
Herbie 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 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.
Read More
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.