Hansie Cronje, born September 25, 1969, will be forever linked to bookmakers and match-fixing and the murkier side of cricket. However, he was also one of the greatest captains the world has seen who lives on in many minds as a splendid leader who somehow lost his way.
Read MoreMike Procter: Greatness in obscurity
Mike Procter, born 15 September 1946, was a devastating fast bowler and a destructive batsman who had enough polish to become a pillar of the top order. Unfortunately, what promised to be a glittering career for one of the best all-rounders of all time was restricted to a mere seven Tests due to South Africa’s isolation. Arunabha Sengupta recalls the playing days of this extraordinary cricketer.
Read MoreGarth le Roux: The unknown fast bowling great
Garth le Roux was born September 4, 1955 — too late to play Test cricket before South Africa’s isolation and too early to represent his country after their return to the fold. But, as he demonstrated in World Series Cricket, during his stint for Sussex and in the ‘Tests’ played against the rebel sides, he was one of the foremost fast bowlers of his generation. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the playing days of the man who finished as the highest wicket taker for South Africa in the rebel ‘Tests’.
Read MoreClive Rice: In the league of the greatest of them
Clive Rice, born 23 July 1949, was one of the greatest all-rounders of his day, on par with the likes of Garry Sobers, Imran Khan and Ian Botham — a huge force with bat and ball. Cruelly, his career coincided with the years of isolation faced by South Africa. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of the man who remains a legendary name around the world, especially for his exploits for Transvaal and Nottinghamshire.
Read MoreAubrey Faulkner: The greatest all-rounder before the Great War
The legendary Aubrey Faulkner was born December 17, 1881. Abhishek Mukherjee looks at the greatest Test all-rounder before The Wars.
Read MoreEddie Barlow: A South African great of the lost generation
South Africa is famous for producing one world-class all-rounder after another, but Eddie Barlow, born August 12, 1940, was great even by South African standards — which is saying something. Abhishek Mukherjee looks at the bespectacled champion whose Test career came to a standstill at the peak of his form because of South Africa’s then apartheid policies.
Read MoreBarry Richards: A sublime career that bloomed unseen
Barry Richards, born July 21, 1945, was perhaps the best batsman of the world during his playing days who could showcase his brilliance in just four Tests. Arunabha Sengupta takes a detailed look at the career of this superb cricketer that bloomed mostly in the remote grounds of First-Class cricket because of the isolation faced by South Africa.
Read MoreEric Rowan: The Toughest Springbok
Eric Rowan was born on July 20, 1909
Read MoreAlan Melville: The most graceful batsman of his generation
Alan Melville, born May 19, 1910, had one of the most curious careers. He led in all but one of the Tests he played in, overcame incredible injuries, and scored four Test hundreds in consecutive innings with an eight-year interlude in between. Arunabha Sengupta recalls the most graceful batsman of his generation.
Read MoreHerbie Taylor: An early South African great
Herbie Taylor, the first great South African cricketer since Aubrey Faulkner, was born May 5, 1889. Abhishek Mukherjee looks back at a champion of his era who could be compared with any of his contemporaries in terms of stature, led South Africa on either side of World War I, and mastered turf on England and Australia as well as matting wickets in South Africa.
Read MoreMurray Bisset: Youngest Test captain for half a century, lawyer to boot
Murray Bisset, born April 14, 1876, led South Africa at 22, fought the Boer War, led the first post-War South African team to England, had an outstanding legal career that culminated as the Chief Justice of Southern Rhodesia, acted as interim Governor of Southern Rhodesia twice, and was knighted. Abhishek Mukherjee looks back at a man who donned many a hat, cricket being just one of them.
Read MoreThe Battery of Googly Bowlers of South Africa: Part 4
During the first decade of the 1900s, Bert Vogler, Aubrey Faulkner, Reggie Schwarz and, to a lesser extent, Gordon White, stunned the world by forming a lethal battery of googly bowlers. Their deeds were instrumental in making the world sit up and take notice of South Africa as a third dimension of world cricket. In this four-part series, Pradip Dhole tells us about the googly quartet who came to the fore even as the wrong ’un was still in the formative stages as a bowling weapon.
Colin Bland: Perhaps the greatest fielder of all time and a superb batsman to boot
Colin Bland, born April 5, 1938, is arguably the greatest fielder of all time. For good measure, he also averaged 49.08 with the bat. Arunabha Sengupta remembers the great fieldsman on his 75th birthday.
Read MoreThe Battery of Googly Bowlers of South Africa: Part 3
During the first decade of the 1900s, Bert Vogler, Aubrey Faulkner, Reggie Schwarz and, to a lesser extent, Gordon White, stunned the world by forming a lethal battery of googly bowlers. Their deeds were instrumental in making the world sit up and take notice of South Africa as a third dimension of world cricket. In this four-part series, Pradip Dhole tells us about the googly quartet who came to the fore even as the wrong ’un was still in the formative stages as a bowling weapon.
The Battery of Googly Bowlers of South Africa: Part 2
During the first decade of the 1900s, Bert Vogler, Aubrey Faulkner, Reggie Schwarz and, to a lesser extent, Gordon White, stunned the world by forming a lethal battery of googly bowlers. Their deeds were instrumental in making the world sit up and take notice of South Africa as a third dimension of world cricket. In this four-part series, Pradip Dhole tells us about the googly quartet who came to the fore even as the wrong ’un was still in the formative stages as a bowling weapon.
The Battery of Googly Bowlers of South Africa: Part 1
During the first decade of the 1900s, Bert Vogler, Aubrey Faulkner, Reggie Schwarz and, to a lesser extent, Gordon White, stunned the world by forming a lethal battery of googly bowlers. Their deeds were instrumental in making the world sit up and take notice of South Africa as a third dimension of world cricket. In this four-part series, Pradip Dhole tells us about the googly quartet who came to the fore even as the wrong ’un was still in the formative stages as a bowling weapon.
Read MoreVincent van der Bijl: Cricket in the Shadows
Vintcent van der Bijl, born March 19, 1948, was one of the greatest fast-medium bowlers of all time. Abhishek Mukherjee looks back at yet another talented cricketer who did not make it to the top level because of South Africa’s isolation from international cricket because of their Apartheid policy.
Read MoreLee Irvine: Swashbuckling gloveman of South Africa's lost generation
Lee Irvine, the swashbuckling batsman-wicket-keeper, was born March 9, 1944. Abhishek Mukherjee looks back at yet another talented cricketer whose international career ended prematurely due to South Africa’s discriminating policies.
Read MoreNeil Adcock - the first South African to capture 100 wickets in Tests
Neil Adcock, born March 8, 1931, was a fast bowler of pace, skill and hostility who formed a lethal combination with the terrifying Peter Heine. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man who became the first South African bowler to claim 100 Test wickets.
Read MoreGraeme Pollock: Genius shrouded by isolation
Graeme Pollock, born February 27, 1944, was one of the greatest batsmen to play the game and one of the many South Africans of his day whose careers were brutally cut short by international isolation to his country’s then apartheid policies. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of the man who is second only to Don Bradman in batting average.
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