Jack 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 Hearne - a medium-pacer of rare class
Jack Hearne, born May 3, 1867, was a medium pacer with a beautiful action who played 12 Tests for England and turned out in First-Class cricket for almost 35 years. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of man who became the first English bowler to claim a hat-trick in Test cricket, scalping perhaps the most celebrated trio of batsmen to have featured in such a feat.
Read MoreJack Blackham - Australia's wicketkeeping prince
Jack 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 MoreBob Woolmer tactical genius, revolutionary thinker - victim of conspiracy?
Bob Woolmer, born on May 14, 1948, is unfortunately remembered for his mysterious death. However, there are several reasons to cherish the life he led. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who was an elegant batsman, a brilliant coach and a compulsive rebel.
Read MoreDavid Allen - a quality off-spinner
David Allen, who passed away on May 25, 2014, was a Gloucestershire off-spinner who played 39 Tests for England, and would have played far more had his career not overlapped with Fred Titmus and Ray Illingworth. Arunabha Sengupta pays tribute to the man who is remembered for facing the last two Wes Hall deliveries at Lord’s as Colin Cowdrey stood at the non-striker’s end with his left arm in plaster.
Read MoreBernard Tancred - an early South African batting pillar
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.