Allan Border, born July 27, 1955, was for years the only link Australia had to greatness. Border plodded along alone amidst men of limited ability and experience. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of the man who moulded a team of stragglers into a world class outfit, and along the way became the first man to score 11,000 runs in Tests.
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 MoreDennis Lillee: Template of fast bowling greatness
Dennis Lillee, born July 18, 1949, was one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time who is considered the patron saint of skilful intimidation by the modern speedsters. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of this immensely colourful man, who battled through pain and debilitating injuries to end his career as a legend.
Read MoreRichard Hadlee: A phenomenon even among cricketing greats
Richard Hadlee, born July 3, 1951, was one of the greatest fast bowlers the world has ever seen, one of the best all-rounders of his era and the cricketer who single-handedly converted New Zealand from a bunch of faceless amateurs to a world class fighting unit. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of this immortal legend who was the first to take 400 wickets in Test cricket.
Read MoreWasim Akram: Sorcery with the ball
Wasim Akram, born June 3, 1966, was — to put it simply — a magician with the ball. Pakistan’s most successful bowler in both Tests and One-Day Internationals, he is perhaps the greatest left-handed paceman of all time, and one of the best among all fast bowlers. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the craft and career of the legend.
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 MoreCollie Smith: Joy, brilliance, tragedy
Collie Smith, born May 5, 1933, was an exciting all-round talent who was killed in a car accident at the tender age of 26. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of the man whose brilliance, according to some, had the glitter and sparkle to match Garfield Sobers.
Read MoreDavid Hookes: Unfulfilled promises, incomplete life
David Hookes, born May 3, 1955, was an explosive batsman whose talent never quite lived up to the expectations. Like his career, the life of the man also ended rather needlessly with plenty of promises unfulfilled. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career and the tragic death of the South Australian cricketer.
Read MoreBrian Lara: Flash of willow, spray of talent, mountains of runs
Brian Lara, born May 2, 1969, was a genius with the willow, a left-handed legend the likes of whom grace the world once in a generation. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of the man who thrilled the spectators around the world while piling runs in amounts seldom seen before.
Read MoreGordon Greenidge: English foundation, Caribbean flair
Gordon Greenidge, born May 1, 1951, was one of the most destructive opening batsmen ever. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of the man who combined English defence with Caribbean flair.
Read MoreDudley and Sydney Rippon: Identical twins who opened batting for Somerset
Dudley Rippon and Sydney Rippon, born April 29, 1892, were identical twins who often opened the batting for Somerset on either side of the First World War. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the lives and careers of the two men who enjoyed reasonably successful First-Class careers and served with distinction in the Great War.
Read MoreMuttiah Muralitharan: One of a kind spin wizard
Muttiah Muralitharan, born April 17, 1972, is without doubt the greatest cricketer produced by Sri Lanka. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of the man who picked up wickets in amounts and rates that were almost preposterous.
Read MoreCraig McDermott: Exhilarating highs, sudden plunges
Craig McDermott, born April 14, 1965, was one of the most successful of Australian fast bowlers whose career was forever plagued by injuries. Arunabha Sengupta looks at the career of the man who ended his playing days as the second highest wicket-taker for Australia after Dennis Lillee.
Read MoreVinoo Mankad: In the pantheon of great all-rounders
Vinoo Mankad, born April 12, 1917, was one of the greatest all-rounders ever produced by India. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of the man who could walk into any World XI in his prime.
Read MoreAllan Knott: Sustained brilliance behind the stumps, constantly gutsy in front
Alan Knott, born April 9, 1946, was arguably the greatest wicket-keeper to have played for England, and perhaps the best-ever in the world. Arunabha Senguptaremembers the career of the man who was a permanent fixture behind the stumps for England in the late sixties and most of the seventies.
Read MoreArthur Wellard: Five sixes in an over ... twice
Arthur Wellard, born April 8, 1902, was a useful bowling all-rounder, whose big hitting ability has made him a legend in cricketing chronicles. He scored 12,485 runs in First-Class cricket at a rather modest average of 19.73. With the ball, he was distinctly more successful, 1,614 wickets at 24.35. What remains amazing is that the sixes he hit numbered over 500. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of the man who scored more than a quarter of his runs with sixes.
Read MoreDilip Vengsarkar: The best Indian batsman of the 1980s
Dilip Vengsarkar, born April 6, 1956, remains one of the best Indian batsmen of all time. Arunabha Sengupta recalls the career of the man who, during a phenomenal purple patch between 1983 and 1987, was one of the very best in the world.
Read MoreColin 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 MoreBapu Nadkarni: Cricket's Scrooge
Bapu Nadkarni, born April 4, 1933, remains the most parsimonious Indian bowler ever. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of the left-handed all-rounder.
Read MoreDavid Gower: The cadence of poetry in the art of run-making
April 1, 1957. The birth of David Gower, a batsman of surreal beauty at the crease. Arunabha Sengupta relives the ups and downs, sublime joys and sudden dismays of his sparkling career.
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