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.
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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.
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’.
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