CRICKETMASH BIOGRAPHIES - The most detailed player sketches available on the web.
Kim Hughes, born January 26, 1954, was one of the most attractive strokeplayers produced by Australia, but one who never managed to reach the heights he promised. Arunabha Sengupta revisits the tumultuous career of the man who would jump down the wicket to the fastest of bowlers to bring a smile on the face of the spectator.
Read MoreLindsay Hassett, born August 28, 1913, was one of the greatest Australian batsmen. Abhishek Mukherjee looks at the career of the man who defied the concept of the archetypical Australian.
Read MoreBill Ponsford, born October 19, 1900, was one of the run machines of Australian cricket of the 1920s and 1930s whose partnerships with Don Bradman have gone down in record books as immortal feats of run-making. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who is the only cricketer to break his own record for the highest score in First-Class cricket.
Read MoreIan Johnson, born December 8, 1917, was an off-spinning all-rounder who played for Australia in the 1940s and 1950s and led the country in 17 Tests. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was preferred over Keith Miller as captain of Australia.
Read MoreIan Meckiff, born January 6, 1935, was a left-arm fast bowler with a graceful run up followed by a suspect delivery. Arunabha Sengupta writes about the Victorian paceman whose career came to an abrupt end after being called for throwing in a Test match.
Read MoreAlbert Trott, born February 6, 1873, was a hugely successful all-rounder in the few Tests he played, represented both Australia and England and enjoyed a fantastic career for Middlesex.Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was one of the most loved cricketers during the turn of the last century.
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Norman O’Neill, born February 19, 1937, was a scintillating stroke-player whose career was unfairly burdened through comparison with Don Bradman.Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of one of the most attractive batsmen since the Second World War.
Read MoreBill Johnston, born February 26, 1922, was one of the greatest left arm medium-pacers produced by Australia who could also revert to spin on a sticky wicket. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of the bowler who often upstaged celebrated teammates Keith Miller and Ray Lindwall.
Read MoreHanson ‘Sammy’ Carter, born March 15, 1878, was a long-serving wicketkeeper of Australia who is credited with being the first stumper to sit on his haunches.Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who often arrived at the cricket grounds riding a hearse.
Read MoreSam Loxton, born on March 29, 1921, was a belligerent batsman and a big-hearted bowler who served as an important member of Don Bradman’s Invincibles of 1948. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who once snapped back at the Prime Minister for criticising his way of getting out.
Read MoreChuck Fleetwood-Smith, born March 30, 1908, was the first left-arm wrist spinner of Australia who made it to the Test side. A maverick genius if there ever was one, he did not do justice to even a fraction of his talent. Arunabha Sengupta recalls the career and the troubled life of this Test star who later became a vagrant.
Read MoreBert Ironmonger, born April 7, 1882, as gone down as the best left-arm spinner produced by Australia. Strangely, he had lost half of his spinning finger in a childhood accident. Arunabha Sengupta remembers the modest, frugal, hardworking man who made his Test debut at the age of 46, and was perhaps the worst batsman of his day.
Read MoreJack Fingleton, born April 28, 1908, was an opening batsman who played 18 Tests for Australia. He was also a journalist of repute and a prolific writer about the game, whose often splendid commentaries were blackened by his extreme antagonism for Don Bradman. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of man who was at home while reporting about Len Hutton and John F Kennedy.
Read MoreJack Blackham, born May 11, 1854, was the first ever Test wicketkeeper of Australia and one of the best the great cricketing country has ever produced. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was a permanent fixture behind the wickets for the first 17 years of Test cricket and led the country in eight matches.
Read MoreIan 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 MoreIan 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.
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 MoreHerbie 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 MoreNip 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, 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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