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.
Read MoreJimmy Sinclair the man who scored South Africa's first three centuries in Test cricket
Jimmy Sinclair, born October 16, 1876, was a massive hitter of the ball and the first great all-rounder of South Africa. Arunabha Sengupta traces the life and career of the man who scored the first three centuries of South Africa in Test cricket.
Read MoreArthur Mailey - Leg Spinner, Painter, Cartoonist, Writer
Arthur Mailey, born January 3, 1886, was a leg spinner of great flight and turn and a fascinatingly interesting character. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was variously a cricketer, labourer, cartoonist, painter and writer.
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 MoreCharles Kelleway - a genuine allrounder
Charles Kelleway, born April 25, 1886, was a dour batsman and a more than useful medium pacer who played 26 Tests for Australia. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was once called ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ by Wisden.
Read MoreStan McCabe - the glorious contemporary of Bradman
Stan McCabe, born July 16, 1910, was one of the most exciting batsmen to watch, and immortalised for three supreme innings played during his career. Arunabha Sengupta remembers the batsman who was among the supreme stroke-players and also one of the best loved cricketers of his day.
Read MoreSydney Barnes - the best bowler ever?
Sydney Barnes born April 19, 1873, was perhaps the best ever bowler in cricket. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of the man who took 189 wickets at 16.43 in 27 Tests
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 MoreViv Richards - the most devastating of batsmen
March 7, 1952.The birth of the most devastating and feared batsman of all time, one who took the meaning of swagger to a different level. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards.
Read MoreBart King - American cricketing great and one of the very best fast bowlers of all time
Bart King, born October 19, 1873, is without doubt the greatest cricketer to be produced by the United States of America. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was one of the first exponents of swing bowling.
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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Hugh Trumble - the first great off-spinner in Test history
Hugh Trumble, born May 12, 1867, was the first great off-spinner in the history of the game. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the Australian bowler who was the first man to achieve two hat-tricks in Test cricket.
Read MoreIvo Bligh - the cricketing hero of an immortal love story
Ivo Bligh, born March 13, 1859, was the captain of England who travelled to Australia in 1882-83, in the first quest for the Ashes, and returned with success on many fronts. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the eighth Earl of Darnley whose tale is one of adventure, passion and romance — the greatest love story in the history of the game.
Read MoreAlec Bannerman - one of the greatest stonewallers of all time
Alec Bannerman, born March 21, 1854, was an Australian opening batsman whom the crowd would often find ‘as wearisome to the flesh as fleas in a warm bed’. Arunabha Sengupta recalls one of the greatest stonewallers the game of cricket has ever seen.
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