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Gone....NOT Forgotten!
- Thread starter JBMAC
- Start date
fredfertang
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
I think I should join in here so I'll contribute the South African googly quartet from the first decade of the last century - first up the best of them, Aubrey Faulkner:-
Aubrey Faulkner was one of a small number of all round cricketers who could have played test cricket purely as a batsman or purely as a bowler. In 25 test matches he scored over 1700 runs at just under 41 per innings and took 82 wickets at 26 runs each.
In his prime Faulkner cut an impressive figure. He stood well over 6 feet tall and had a fine physique and would not have looked out of place as a matinee idol in Hollywood. His batting, particularly his cutting and pulling, was entirely in keeping with the age in which he played. In addition Faulkner was one of a great quartet of South African googly bowlers his high action giving a steep bounce to add to the vicious spin that his exceptionally strong wrists allowed him to produce.
Faulkner played his first tests in South Africa’s 4-1 victory over Warner’s MCC team in 1905/06. Faulkner's contribution to that series was steady rather than spectacular his batting, while useful, not contributing a half century and only 14 wickets falling to his bowling albeit at the acceptable cost of less than 20 apiece. This sort of form continued in England in 1907 with a slight improvement in batting and his bowling figures also improved with his taking 6 for 17 in the first innings of the second test. England won the match by 53 runs but had it not been for a spectacular batting collapse in their second innings South Africa had had every prospect of recording another victory.
In terms of his own career Faulkner came of age when MCC next visited South Africa in 1909/10 when he scored more than 500 runs at an average of more than 60 and took 29 wickets at 21 apiece. The most impressive of many highlights in that series came in the first test when South African were narrow victors by 19 runs and were heavily indebted to Faulkner who scored 78 and 123 and, in the match, took 8 for 160.
In the following southern hemisphere summer, 1910/11, the first South African side visited Australia. The hard fast turf wickets were quite unlike anything any of the South Africans had experienced before and they lost the series comfortably by 4 tests to 1. Faulkner found the wickets not particularly suited to his bowling and took only 10 wickets in the test at more than 50 runs each however his batting was quite magnificent as he scored 732 runs at 73.2 per innings which was, at the time, a record series aggregate for all test cricket. In the course of the second test match at Melbourne Faulkner scored 204 to record South Africa’s first test double century and a score which was not to be bettered by a South African in a test for another 30 years.
After the Australian tour Faulkner emigrated to the UK and did not play first class cricket in South Africa again. His test career did, however, continue and he made himself available for the Triangular Tournament in 1912 and in what was a very disappointing tournament for the South Africans Faulkner emerged with as much credit as anybody enjoying some success with both bat and ball albeit not to the extent that he had previously.
Faulkner enlisted quickly after the outbreak of the Great War and saw action on the western front, in Macedonia and in Palestine, and his courage was recognised by the award of the DSO and the Order of the Nile.
Faulkner played only 7 first class matches after the Great War but one of them was the memorable game in 1921 when an all amateur side selected by Archie MacLaren finally defeated Warwick Armstrong’s all conquering Australian tourists. Faulkner produced the innings of his life in the second innings in making 153 against an attack that included Gregory, McDonald, Mailey and Armstrong himself. That game was the penultimate appearance in first class cricket for Faulkner and, his taking 6 wickets in the match as well, would have been an entirely appropriate ending to his career but, perhaps sadly, he was tempted out of retirement in 1924 to play in the second test match at Lords. Faulkner was in his 43rd year, out of practice and unfit and while he did not disgrace himself it was a disappointing end to a majestic career.
By the end of his career Faulkner was a highly respected coach who was instrumental in the development of the last quality English leg spinner, Doug Wright, as well as others and for a number of years he ran his own cricket school in London. It was there that in 1930, during a bout of depression, Faulkner tragically took his own life by gassing himself in a store room. The loss of Faulkner at the age of 48 took away from English cricket one of its shrewdest coaches had he had his three score years and ten there can be little doubt but that Doug Wright would not have been the last of the line and the game’s history rather different as a result.
Aubrey Faulkner was one of a small number of all round cricketers who could have played test cricket purely as a batsman or purely as a bowler. In 25 test matches he scored over 1700 runs at just under 41 per innings and took 82 wickets at 26 runs each.
In his prime Faulkner cut an impressive figure. He stood well over 6 feet tall and had a fine physique and would not have looked out of place as a matinee idol in Hollywood. His batting, particularly his cutting and pulling, was entirely in keeping with the age in which he played. In addition Faulkner was one of a great quartet of South African googly bowlers his high action giving a steep bounce to add to the vicious spin that his exceptionally strong wrists allowed him to produce.
Faulkner played his first tests in South Africa’s 4-1 victory over Warner’s MCC team in 1905/06. Faulkner's contribution to that series was steady rather than spectacular his batting, while useful, not contributing a half century and only 14 wickets falling to his bowling albeit at the acceptable cost of less than 20 apiece. This sort of form continued in England in 1907 with a slight improvement in batting and his bowling figures also improved with his taking 6 for 17 in the first innings of the second test. England won the match by 53 runs but had it not been for a spectacular batting collapse in their second innings South Africa had had every prospect of recording another victory.
In terms of his own career Faulkner came of age when MCC next visited South Africa in 1909/10 when he scored more than 500 runs at an average of more than 60 and took 29 wickets at 21 apiece. The most impressive of many highlights in that series came in the first test when South African were narrow victors by 19 runs and were heavily indebted to Faulkner who scored 78 and 123 and, in the match, took 8 for 160.
In the following southern hemisphere summer, 1910/11, the first South African side visited Australia. The hard fast turf wickets were quite unlike anything any of the South Africans had experienced before and they lost the series comfortably by 4 tests to 1. Faulkner found the wickets not particularly suited to his bowling and took only 10 wickets in the test at more than 50 runs each however his batting was quite magnificent as he scored 732 runs at 73.2 per innings which was, at the time, a record series aggregate for all test cricket. In the course of the second test match at Melbourne Faulkner scored 204 to record South Africa’s first test double century and a score which was not to be bettered by a South African in a test for another 30 years.
After the Australian tour Faulkner emigrated to the UK and did not play first class cricket in South Africa again. His test career did, however, continue and he made himself available for the Triangular Tournament in 1912 and in what was a very disappointing tournament for the South Africans Faulkner emerged with as much credit as anybody enjoying some success with both bat and ball albeit not to the extent that he had previously.
Faulkner enlisted quickly after the outbreak of the Great War and saw action on the western front, in Macedonia and in Palestine, and his courage was recognised by the award of the DSO and the Order of the Nile.
Faulkner played only 7 first class matches after the Great War but one of them was the memorable game in 1921 when an all amateur side selected by Archie MacLaren finally defeated Warwick Armstrong’s all conquering Australian tourists. Faulkner produced the innings of his life in the second innings in making 153 against an attack that included Gregory, McDonald, Mailey and Armstrong himself. That game was the penultimate appearance in first class cricket for Faulkner and, his taking 6 wickets in the match as well, would have been an entirely appropriate ending to his career but, perhaps sadly, he was tempted out of retirement in 1924 to play in the second test match at Lords. Faulkner was in his 43rd year, out of practice and unfit and while he did not disgrace himself it was a disappointing end to a majestic career.
By the end of his career Faulkner was a highly respected coach who was instrumental in the development of the last quality English leg spinner, Doug Wright, as well as others and for a number of years he ran his own cricket school in London. It was there that in 1930, during a bout of depression, Faulkner tragically took his own life by gassing himself in a store room. The loss of Faulkner at the age of 48 took away from English cricket one of its shrewdest coaches had he had his three score years and ten there can be little doubt but that Doug Wright would not have been the last of the line and the game’s history rather different as a result.
fredfertang
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Followed by Reggie Schwartz
Reggie Schwarz was born in London in 1875 and he learned his cricket in England where, in 1901 and 1902, he turned out on 11 occasions for Middlesex. Schwarz also toured North America in the autumn of 1901 with a team captained by Bernard Bosanquet. Schwarz studied Bosanquet’s bowling, most particularly his googly, and took the secrets with him to South Africa when he emigrated after the 1902 season. Schwarz in turn demonstrated the techniques to Albert Vogler, Aubrey Faulkner and Gordon White with whom he was to form one of a famous quartet of googly bowlers over the next few years.
Schwarz bowled with great success on the 1904 tour of England in which no tests were played, taking 65 wickets at 18 apiece. He reappeared for Middlesex for one game in 1905 in which he took 6 for 67 but by the following winter he was back in South Africa and played a leading role in South Africa’s crushing series victory over Warner’s MCC side. Schwarz’s own contribution was 18 wickets at 17 apiece and he went on to take a further 9 wickets against England in 1907 at 21 apiece. Schwarz played in four matches in the 1909/10 series which was won 3-2 by the South Africans but, rather perversely, did not take a wicket and bowled only 8 overs altogether. Schwarz was not as great a bowler as Vogler or Faulkner, if for no other reason than all his deliveries were googlies and he did not have a leg break, however he was accurate and did spin the googly a long way and was back to his best with the ball against Australia in 1910/11 when he took 25 wickets in the series at 26 apiece including his only two five wicket hauls in test cricket.
Schwarz returned to England in 1912 for the Triangular Series but, like for so many of the South Africans, it was a hugely disappointing summer for him and his three wickets cost over 75 runs each.
As a batsman Schwarz’s record is a modest one but he did manage one test match half century against Australia and did record other useful scores on occasion. His overall first class batting record was considerably better than his test record and outside the test arena he could realistically claim to have been an all rounder.
Schwarz took a commission in the Great War and as Major Schwarz served with distinction in the campaign in German South West Africa before serving in France towards the end of the hostilities. Despite being wounded on 2 separate occasions Reggie Schwarz did manage to survive the hostilities but, sadly, could not survive the influenza which killed him only seven days after the armistice. Schwarz was 43 years of age at the time of his death.
Reggie Schwarz was born in London in 1875 and he learned his cricket in England where, in 1901 and 1902, he turned out on 11 occasions for Middlesex. Schwarz also toured North America in the autumn of 1901 with a team captained by Bernard Bosanquet. Schwarz studied Bosanquet’s bowling, most particularly his googly, and took the secrets with him to South Africa when he emigrated after the 1902 season. Schwarz in turn demonstrated the techniques to Albert Vogler, Aubrey Faulkner and Gordon White with whom he was to form one of a famous quartet of googly bowlers over the next few years.
Schwarz bowled with great success on the 1904 tour of England in which no tests were played, taking 65 wickets at 18 apiece. He reappeared for Middlesex for one game in 1905 in which he took 6 for 67 but by the following winter he was back in South Africa and played a leading role in South Africa’s crushing series victory over Warner’s MCC side. Schwarz’s own contribution was 18 wickets at 17 apiece and he went on to take a further 9 wickets against England in 1907 at 21 apiece. Schwarz played in four matches in the 1909/10 series which was won 3-2 by the South Africans but, rather perversely, did not take a wicket and bowled only 8 overs altogether. Schwarz was not as great a bowler as Vogler or Faulkner, if for no other reason than all his deliveries were googlies and he did not have a leg break, however he was accurate and did spin the googly a long way and was back to his best with the ball against Australia in 1910/11 when he took 25 wickets in the series at 26 apiece including his only two five wicket hauls in test cricket.
Schwarz returned to England in 1912 for the Triangular Series but, like for so many of the South Africans, it was a hugely disappointing summer for him and his three wickets cost over 75 runs each.
As a batsman Schwarz’s record is a modest one but he did manage one test match half century against Australia and did record other useful scores on occasion. His overall first class batting record was considerably better than his test record and outside the test arena he could realistically claim to have been an all rounder.
Schwarz took a commission in the Great War and as Major Schwarz served with distinction in the campaign in German South West Africa before serving in France towards the end of the hostilities. Despite being wounded on 2 separate occasions Reggie Schwarz did manage to survive the hostilities but, sadly, could not survive the influenza which killed him only seven days after the armistice. Schwarz was 43 years of age at the time of his death.
fredfertang
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
..... and Bert Vogler
Albert Vogler is remembered as one of the four South African googly bowlers who carried all before them in the three series against England that were played between 1905/06 and 1909/10. Vogler was, in the judgment of most contemporaries, the best of the four his googly being all but indistinguishable from his leg break and in addition he mastered the top spinner and was adept at changing his pace.
Vogler’s record in the 1905/06 series was relatively unspectacular as he took only 9 wickets in the 5 tests at 22.33. He enjoyed a much more productive time in England in 1907 taking 15 wickets at 19 each before he enjoyed his greatest success in 1909/10 taking as many as 36 wickets at 21 apiece. Following 2 test matches in Australia in 1910/11 when he enjoyed but modest success Vogler’s test career was over and indeed he played only 2 more first class matches before his career ended in 1912.
It is not clear exactly what happened to Vogler at this point in his life. Certainly he was invited to tour England for the Triangular Tournament in 1912 and, ironically, his last first class match took place during that tour when he played against his countrymen for an Irish XI. He was employed at this time by the South African entrepreneur and sometime first class cricketer, Sir Abe Bailey, and was at the time the touring party left for England locked in litigation with Bailey over Bailey’s refusal to pay him. The reason for the non payment would appear to have been belief on Bailey’s part that Vogler had an alcohol problem. Whether or not there ever was such a problem it did not prevent Vogler being comfortably the longest lived of the famous quartet and he died at the age of 70 in 1946.
Albert Vogler is remembered as one of the four South African googly bowlers who carried all before them in the three series against England that were played between 1905/06 and 1909/10. Vogler was, in the judgment of most contemporaries, the best of the four his googly being all but indistinguishable from his leg break and in addition he mastered the top spinner and was adept at changing his pace.
Vogler’s record in the 1905/06 series was relatively unspectacular as he took only 9 wickets in the 5 tests at 22.33. He enjoyed a much more productive time in England in 1907 taking 15 wickets at 19 each before he enjoyed his greatest success in 1909/10 taking as many as 36 wickets at 21 apiece. Following 2 test matches in Australia in 1910/11 when he enjoyed but modest success Vogler’s test career was over and indeed he played only 2 more first class matches before his career ended in 1912.
It is not clear exactly what happened to Vogler at this point in his life. Certainly he was invited to tour England for the Triangular Tournament in 1912 and, ironically, his last first class match took place during that tour when he played against his countrymen for an Irish XI. He was employed at this time by the South African entrepreneur and sometime first class cricketer, Sir Abe Bailey, and was at the time the touring party left for England locked in litigation with Bailey over Bailey’s refusal to pay him. The reason for the non payment would appear to have been belief on Bailey’s part that Vogler had an alcohol problem. Whether or not there ever was such a problem it did not prevent Vogler being comfortably the longest lived of the famous quartet and he died at the age of 70 in 1946.
fredfertang
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
.... and last and, to be fair, probably least, Gordon White
Gordon White is best known as one of a quartet of leg break and googly bowlers who helped South Africa to a convincing series victory over Pelham Warner’s MCC side in 1905/06 and who proceeded to give a spirited account of themselves in the return series in 1907. In truth however White’s leg breaks were very much the second string to his bow and his main mark on cricketing history was made as a batsman.
In 17 test matches White scored 872 runs at fractionally over 30 apiece. Had it not been for a disappointing performance in the Triangular Series of 1912 his average would have been considerably better and he twice reached his century against England as well as recording four half centuries.
Those 17 test matches brought White only nine wickets although he did take 4 for 47 in the England second innings in the second test match of the 1907 series. That effort meant that South Africa required only 128 in the last innings in order to take the lead in the series but sadly White’s efforts with the ball were in vain as their batsman collapsed, mainly to the slow left arm bowling of Kent’s Colin Blithe, for only 75.
Gordon White was to carry out one more great service to South African cricket after his test career finished that being in the 1913/14 series which was dominated by the efforts of England’s Sydney Barnes who took 49 wickets in that series at less than 11 each. The South Africans were, not surprisingly, heavily beaten but it would have been very much worse had it not been for their leading batsman, Herby Taylor, scoring more than 500 runs in the series at an average of more than 50. Taylor had prepared himself to face Barnes by enlisting the help of Gordon White over a period of many hours in the nets to help him to prepare for what was to come from Barnes.
Gordon White saw active service in the Great War but sadly could not survive it dying in action as late as October 1918 at the age of 37.
Gordon White is best known as one of a quartet of leg break and googly bowlers who helped South Africa to a convincing series victory over Pelham Warner’s MCC side in 1905/06 and who proceeded to give a spirited account of themselves in the return series in 1907. In truth however White’s leg breaks were very much the second string to his bow and his main mark on cricketing history was made as a batsman.
In 17 test matches White scored 872 runs at fractionally over 30 apiece. Had it not been for a disappointing performance in the Triangular Series of 1912 his average would have been considerably better and he twice reached his century against England as well as recording four half centuries.
Those 17 test matches brought White only nine wickets although he did take 4 for 47 in the England second innings in the second test match of the 1907 series. That effort meant that South Africa required only 128 in the last innings in order to take the lead in the series but sadly White’s efforts with the ball were in vain as their batsman collapsed, mainly to the slow left arm bowling of Kent’s Colin Blithe, for only 75.
Gordon White was to carry out one more great service to South African cricket after his test career finished that being in the 1913/14 series which was dominated by the efforts of England’s Sydney Barnes who took 49 wickets in that series at less than 11 each. The South Africans were, not surprisingly, heavily beaten but it would have been very much worse had it not been for their leading batsman, Herby Taylor, scoring more than 500 runs in the series at an average of more than 50. Taylor had prepared himself to face Barnes by enlisting the help of Gordon White over a period of many hours in the nets to help him to prepare for what was to come from Barnes.
Gordon White saw active service in the Great War but sadly could not survive it dying in action as late as October 1918 at the age of 37.
JBMAC
State Captain
Reggie Duff
A sturdy right-hand bat who watched the ball closely and was at the turn of the century one of Australia's best batsmen, Reggie Duff made a sensational Test debut against England at Melbourne in 1901-02 when he became the second No.10 to score a Test hundred, and only the third Australian to score a century on debut. The circumstances were unusual in that Duff was a frontline batsman who had been held back because of a sticky wicket. With Warwick Armstrong he added 120 for the last wicket as Australia won by 299 runs. He toured England in 1902 and 1905 with great success, scoring more than 1000 runs on both visits but Wisden noted that "he was never the same again after the second trip" and within two seasons he had left the first-class game even though he was still not 30. The truth was that Duff was an alcoholic whose cricket was greatly affected by his drinking. Following his retirement his condition rapidly deteriorated and he died broke and broken in 1911 aged 33. His former NSW colleagues paid for his funeral.
A sturdy right-hand bat who watched the ball closely and was at the turn of the century one of Australia's best batsmen, Reggie Duff made a sensational Test debut against England at Melbourne in 1901-02 when he became the second No.10 to score a Test hundred, and only the third Australian to score a century on debut. The circumstances were unusual in that Duff was a frontline batsman who had been held back because of a sticky wicket. With Warwick Armstrong he added 120 for the last wicket as Australia won by 299 runs. He toured England in 1902 and 1905 with great success, scoring more than 1000 runs on both visits but Wisden noted that "he was never the same again after the second trip" and within two seasons he had left the first-class game even though he was still not 30. The truth was that Duff was an alcoholic whose cricket was greatly affected by his drinking. Following his retirement his condition rapidly deteriorated and he died broke and broken in 1911 aged 33. His former NSW colleagues paid for his funeral.
JBMAC
State Captain
Jack Hill
Jack Hill, 51, who died in Melbourne on August 11, was a topspin bowler who took seven wickets in two Tests at Trent Bridge and Old Trafford in 1953. They included leading batsmen in May, Graveney, W. J. Edrich and Kenyon and he twice dislodged Bailey. Hill took 63 wickets on the tour and in a third Test in 1955 dismissed Holt at Bridgetown. Lifting his front foot high, almost a goose- step, Hill delivered with a leg-break roll, but needed responsive turf for the ball to turn at his pace. Often around the leg stump, he was a difficult bowler for wicketkeepers and one sharp blow on an ankle knocked Len Maddocks' legs from under him.
From Ballarat he moved to Melbourne CC, then transferred to St. Kilda. After three years in the RAAF he first played for Victoria in 1946 but was not chosen regularly until Jack Iverson retired. After having his skull fractured twice as a St. Kilda footballer, Hill gave up football in 1949 and often took powders to relieve headaches while playing cricket. He had 15 games for Victoria before selection to tour England soon after taking 7 for 51 against South Australia. Hill took 121 wickets for Victoria. He was a civil servant.
Jack Hill, 51, who died in Melbourne on August 11, was a topspin bowler who took seven wickets in two Tests at Trent Bridge and Old Trafford in 1953. They included leading batsmen in May, Graveney, W. J. Edrich and Kenyon and he twice dislodged Bailey. Hill took 63 wickets on the tour and in a third Test in 1955 dismissed Holt at Bridgetown. Lifting his front foot high, almost a goose- step, Hill delivered with a leg-break roll, but needed responsive turf for the ball to turn at his pace. Often around the leg stump, he was a difficult bowler for wicketkeepers and one sharp blow on an ankle knocked Len Maddocks' legs from under him.
From Ballarat he moved to Melbourne CC, then transferred to St. Kilda. After three years in the RAAF he first played for Victoria in 1946 but was not chosen regularly until Jack Iverson retired. After having his skull fractured twice as a St. Kilda footballer, Hill gave up football in 1949 and often took powders to relieve headaches while playing cricket. He had 15 games for Victoria before selection to tour England soon after taking 7 for 51 against South Australia. Hill took 121 wickets for Victoria. He was a civil servant.
JBMAC
State Captain
Tom Hayward 1871-1939
Many students of cricket history know that WG Grace was the first batsman to make 100 first-class centuries. Not so many know that Tom Hayward was the second. Like Jack Hobbs, with whom he opened the Surrey batting many times, he was from Cambridge, and appeared for them briefly in minor cricket before qualifying for Surrey. He was an almost immediate success, gaining his county cap after one season and being named one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year a year later, when still aged 24. The following winter he made his Test debut on a tour of South Africa. Hayward was a solid right-hand batsman with a sound defence; he was particularly strong on the off side. He could also bowl effective medium pace - in 1897 he took 114 wickets. He did the 'double' that year.
But batting was his main strength and this was recognised by England's selectors who picked him for 35 Tests between 1895-96 and 1909. He scarcely ever endured a bad season, making over 1000 runs in 20 consecutive seasons. His 100th century came in 1913, and the war brought his career to an end the following year. He later spent a few seasons as an umpire. When he died at Cambridge in July 1939 cricket lovers forgot the approaching storm clouds for a moment to mourn the passing of a great player
Many students of cricket history know that WG Grace was the first batsman to make 100 first-class centuries. Not so many know that Tom Hayward was the second. Like Jack Hobbs, with whom he opened the Surrey batting many times, he was from Cambridge, and appeared for them briefly in minor cricket before qualifying for Surrey. He was an almost immediate success, gaining his county cap after one season and being named one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year a year later, when still aged 24. The following winter he made his Test debut on a tour of South Africa. Hayward was a solid right-hand batsman with a sound defence; he was particularly strong on the off side. He could also bowl effective medium pace - in 1897 he took 114 wickets. He did the 'double' that year.
But batting was his main strength and this was recognised by England's selectors who picked him for 35 Tests between 1895-96 and 1909. He scarcely ever endured a bad season, making over 1000 runs in 20 consecutive seasons. His 100th century came in 1913, and the war brought his career to an end the following year. He later spent a few seasons as an umpire. When he died at Cambridge in July 1939 cricket lovers forgot the approaching storm clouds for a moment to mourn the passing of a great player
JBMAC
State Captain
The Pataudis
The Pataudis: Iftikhar and Mansur Ali Khan
THE FATHER and son, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi and Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, have left their indelible mark on cricket.
Pataudi Sr represented England and like Ranji and Duleep, hit a century on debut against Australia in the Ashes. He captained India as well.
His illustrious son, Mansur Ali Khan, lost his eye when he was blossoming as a fine cricketer but learnt to play with this impediment and went on to lead India in a record 40 tests.
He gave team the 'killer instinct' and gave India its first series wins abroad. Mansur Ali Khan was a great fielder who was known as Tiger for his agility.
The youngest man to captain a team, Jr Pataudi was made captain of India when he was just 21. With just a single eye, his batting was nothing but divine inspiration indeed.
He was at times unorthodox and loved to hit the ball. Of the 46 tests he played, Pataudi captained India in 40. His influence on Indian cricket was amazing.
Prasanna turned into a great match-winner under him. He amassed over 15,000 runs in first class cricket with over 33 centuries. He hit six centuries in 2,700-odd runs with a highest of 203 not out against England.
Mansur Ali Khan was adventurous and a great leader. He inspired respect from team mates and opposition ranks alike. From his teenage, India was sure that he would come and take over the mantle of captaincy.
He married glamorous actress Sharmila Tagore and their son is now a movie star. He has been a successful model and tried his hands in politics with less success.
Nawab of Pataudi Senior
The only cricketer to play for both India and England, Nawab of Patauri Sr (Iftikhar Ali Khan) made his debut in the Body Line series and hit a century on debut.
He was dropped in the next test because he apparently disapproved of Jardine's ways of targeting the Aussie batsmen. After the second World War, he played three tests for India as captain. He died while playing polo when he was just 42.
In 1936, he was chosen to lead India against Jack Ryder's English team but at the last moment declared himself unfit. Ten years elapsed and after World War, he led another team but he was past his prime by then.
Still, he managed to score over a 1,000 runs in the entire tour including centuries against Notts and Sussex but did not do well in the tests. Due to ill health he retired soon.
Pataudi was a dashing strokeplayer. In his youth, he had hit 231 not out for Oxford against Cambridge, a record. In first class cricket, he scored 8,750 runs in 127 matches at a handsome average of 48.61 with 29 centuries
The Pataudis: Iftikhar and Mansur Ali Khan
THE FATHER and son, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi and Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, have left their indelible mark on cricket.
Pataudi Sr represented England and like Ranji and Duleep, hit a century on debut against Australia in the Ashes. He captained India as well.
His illustrious son, Mansur Ali Khan, lost his eye when he was blossoming as a fine cricketer but learnt to play with this impediment and went on to lead India in a record 40 tests.
He gave team the 'killer instinct' and gave India its first series wins abroad. Mansur Ali Khan was a great fielder who was known as Tiger for his agility.
The youngest man to captain a team, Jr Pataudi was made captain of India when he was just 21. With just a single eye, his batting was nothing but divine inspiration indeed.
He was at times unorthodox and loved to hit the ball. Of the 46 tests he played, Pataudi captained India in 40. His influence on Indian cricket was amazing.
Prasanna turned into a great match-winner under him. He amassed over 15,000 runs in first class cricket with over 33 centuries. He hit six centuries in 2,700-odd runs with a highest of 203 not out against England.
Mansur Ali Khan was adventurous and a great leader. He inspired respect from team mates and opposition ranks alike. From his teenage, India was sure that he would come and take over the mantle of captaincy.
He married glamorous actress Sharmila Tagore and their son is now a movie star. He has been a successful model and tried his hands in politics with less success.
Nawab of Pataudi Senior
The only cricketer to play for both India and England, Nawab of Patauri Sr (Iftikhar Ali Khan) made his debut in the Body Line series and hit a century on debut.
He was dropped in the next test because he apparently disapproved of Jardine's ways of targeting the Aussie batsmen. After the second World War, he played three tests for India as captain. He died while playing polo when he was just 42.
In 1936, he was chosen to lead India against Jack Ryder's English team but at the last moment declared himself unfit. Ten years elapsed and after World War, he led another team but he was past his prime by then.
Still, he managed to score over a 1,000 runs in the entire tour including centuries against Notts and Sussex but did not do well in the tests. Due to ill health he retired soon.
Pataudi was a dashing strokeplayer. In his youth, he had hit 231 not out for Oxford against Cambridge, a record. In first class cricket, he scored 8,750 runs in 127 matches at a handsome average of 48.61 with 29 centuries
JBMAC
State Captain
Arthur Wellard
ONE OF the most famous of big hitters in the history of the game, Arthur Wellard scored 12,000 runs in his first class cricket of which 3,000 were hit in form of sixes.
In a career that spanned from 1927 to 1950, Wellard hit over 500 sixes--a world record. Wellard hit so many sixes that he baffled the cricket pundits.
In 1933, he hit 51 sixes. He broke his own recod in 1935 when he hit 66 sixes. In 1936 and 1938 he hit 57 sixes each. The record of 66 sixes in an English season stood for fifty years.
It was not until 1985 that Ian Botham hit 85 sixes in a season and Wellard's records were broken. Botham's feat was undoubtedly astonishing as the number of matches in county season had gone out and it was the year of Botham.
But for Arthur Wellard hitting sixes is something he did normally. In his carreer Arthur William Wellard scored 12,575 runs at an average of 19.73 and took 1614 wickets at 24.35.
He was not a slogger and had a strong batting technique. He hit only two centuries and it was not his habit to go for longer innings. But he turned the fate of many matches with his bravado.
As a bowler, Wellard was successful but he his more remembered for his penchant for hitting sixes. In 1929 he took 139 wickets at an average of just 21.
He did the 'double' of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in 1933, 1935 and 1937. Once in a match, he came at six down and scored 77 out of the team's score of 94 runs, then took 7 for 43 and followed it with an innings of 60 in the other innings and when came to bowl again took 3 wickets for 66.
In 1936 he hit a bowler for five sixes on consecutive balls in a county match. (He had already taken 9 wickets in the match and his quickfire 86 in 62 minutes brought the team to victory).
Once agin he hit the great Frank Woolley for five consecutive sixes. His batting at Old Trafford in 1937 against New Zealand in a test took England to victory.
Had the World War not started, he would have tourned India. Wellard was a fine medium fast bowler and a quick fielder as well. But it was his outstanding ability to hit sixes that has given him a firm place in the history of cricket. He passed away in 1980 at the age of 78
ONE OF the most famous of big hitters in the history of the game, Arthur Wellard scored 12,000 runs in his first class cricket of which 3,000 were hit in form of sixes.
In a career that spanned from 1927 to 1950, Wellard hit over 500 sixes--a world record. Wellard hit so many sixes that he baffled the cricket pundits.
In 1933, he hit 51 sixes. He broke his own recod in 1935 when he hit 66 sixes. In 1936 and 1938 he hit 57 sixes each. The record of 66 sixes in an English season stood for fifty years.
It was not until 1985 that Ian Botham hit 85 sixes in a season and Wellard's records were broken. Botham's feat was undoubtedly astonishing as the number of matches in county season had gone out and it was the year of Botham.
But for Arthur Wellard hitting sixes is something he did normally. In his carreer Arthur William Wellard scored 12,575 runs at an average of 19.73 and took 1614 wickets at 24.35.
He was not a slogger and had a strong batting technique. He hit only two centuries and it was not his habit to go for longer innings. But he turned the fate of many matches with his bravado.
As a bowler, Wellard was successful but he his more remembered for his penchant for hitting sixes. In 1929 he took 139 wickets at an average of just 21.
He did the 'double' of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in 1933, 1935 and 1937. Once in a match, he came at six down and scored 77 out of the team's score of 94 runs, then took 7 for 43 and followed it with an innings of 60 in the other innings and when came to bowl again took 3 wickets for 66.
In 1936 he hit a bowler for five sixes on consecutive balls in a county match. (He had already taken 9 wickets in the match and his quickfire 86 in 62 minutes brought the team to victory).
Once agin he hit the great Frank Woolley for five consecutive sixes. His batting at Old Trafford in 1937 against New Zealand in a test took England to victory.
Had the World War not started, he would have tourned India. Wellard was a fine medium fast bowler and a quick fielder as well. But it was his outstanding ability to hit sixes that has given him a firm place in the history of cricket. He passed away in 1980 at the age of 78
JBMAC
State Captain
Biggest Hitter-Charles Thornton
CHARLES THORNTON is remembered in cricketlore is one of the greatest hitters. In 1868 at a Eton Vs Harrow match, Thornton had hit the ball over the old Lord's pavilion.
Seven hits in his career were as long as 130-150 yards. He once crossed 160 yards as well. In WG Grace's book Cricket, Thornton's hit is mentioned as 168 yards long.
An entertainer, Thornton has a reasonably good record of over 6,000 runs with five centuries in 200-odd matches, He died in 1929. He had a batting average of 19.35.
CHARLES THORNTON is remembered in cricketlore is one of the greatest hitters. In 1868 at a Eton Vs Harrow match, Thornton had hit the ball over the old Lord's pavilion.
Seven hits in his career were as long as 130-150 yards. He once crossed 160 yards as well. In WG Grace's book Cricket, Thornton's hit is mentioned as 168 yards long.
An entertainer, Thornton has a reasonably good record of over 6,000 runs with five centuries in 200-odd matches, He died in 1929. He had a batting average of 19.35.
vic_orthdox
Global Moderator
Any information on Karl Schneider?
JBMAC
State Captain
Kevin Wright - A Packer Victim
Wicketkeeper Kevin Wright came from the same club as Rodney Marsh, and his Test debut came because of Marsh's defection to World Series Cricket. Tidy and agile, Wright replaced John Maclean for the last two Tests of the disastrous 1978-79 Ashes series, retaining his place for two Tests against Pakistan which followed. He was in the Australian side for the 1979 World Cup, and in India that winter he enhanced his reputation with both gloves and the bat - he made a batting fifty at Delhi. But he returned home to find Marsh restored, not only in the Australian side but also the Western Australian one. He still made fairly regular appearances when Marsh was on international duty - in 1979-80 Wright scored 321 runs at 35.66 - but he slipped further out of the reckoning when Steve Rixon was picked as Australia's No. 2 for their 1981 England tour. He moved to South Australia in 1981-82, but again was supplanted, this time by Wayne Phillips, and retired shortly after his 30th birthday.
Wicketkeeper Kevin Wright came from the same club as Rodney Marsh, and his Test debut came because of Marsh's defection to World Series Cricket. Tidy and agile, Wright replaced John Maclean for the last two Tests of the disastrous 1978-79 Ashes series, retaining his place for two Tests against Pakistan which followed. He was in the Australian side for the 1979 World Cup, and in India that winter he enhanced his reputation with both gloves and the bat - he made a batting fifty at Delhi. But he returned home to find Marsh restored, not only in the Australian side but also the Western Australian one. He still made fairly regular appearances when Marsh was on international duty - in 1979-80 Wright scored 321 runs at 35.66 - but he slipped further out of the reckoning when Steve Rixon was picked as Australia's No. 2 for their 1981 England tour. He moved to South Australia in 1981-82, but again was supplanted, this time by Wayne Phillips, and retired shortly after his 30th birthday.
JBMAC
State Captain
Graham Fowler
Graham Fowler
"Foxy" Fowler was a left-handed opener who apparently played and missed so often that soon even he hardly seemed to know whether he had an elaborate and irritating way of leaving the ball or whether he was phenomenally lucky. When he did make contact, Fowler was impressive, especially off the back foot. But he was certainly lucky that so many potential openers went on the rebel 1981-82 tour of South Africa: all his 21 Tests came while they were banned. His career reached its apogee with his marvellous 201 in the 1984-85 Madras Test (in conditions very foreign to an Accrington lad), but after one more game Graham Gooch came back and Fowler was history. He remained a solid force for Lancashire, and then turned his cheeky-chappie image to good effect as a radio summariser.
Graham Fowler
"Foxy" Fowler was a left-handed opener who apparently played and missed so often that soon even he hardly seemed to know whether he had an elaborate and irritating way of leaving the ball or whether he was phenomenally lucky. When he did make contact, Fowler was impressive, especially off the back foot. But he was certainly lucky that so many potential openers went on the rebel 1981-82 tour of South Africa: all his 21 Tests came while they were banned. His career reached its apogee with his marvellous 201 in the 1984-85 Madras Test (in conditions very foreign to an Accrington lad), but after one more game Graham Gooch came back and Fowler was history. He remained a solid force for Lancashire, and then turned his cheeky-chappie image to good effect as a radio summariser.
fredfertang
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
I can offer this
Karl Schneider Australia
In the 1920s three superb young Australian batsmen came to the fore. One of them, Donald Bradman, went on to enjoy a modicum of success in the game whereas, tragically, neither of the others lived to see his 24th birthday. At least Archie Jackson, who played eight times for his country, did enough before tuberculosis claimed him to secure the place in the hearts and minds of the nation's cricket followers that enures to this day. By sad contrast Karl Schneider's name is rarely uttered. A diminutive left handed opening batsman - he was not even 5 feet 2 inches in height - Schneider made his debut at 17 for Victoria before moving, three years later, to South Australia. Leukaemia claimed his life shortly after his 23rd birthday, and just a few weeks before Percy Chapman's powerful England side arrived to brush his countrymen aside in the 1928/29 Ashes . Schneider played just 20 First Class matches in all, in which he scored six centuries and eight half centuries, and averaged almost 50. His occasional leg breaks and googlies brought him a total of 10 wickets, at a strike rate better than that a certain Shane Keith Warne would achieve over his career 80 years later - who knows what Schneider might have achieved had he lived - what price it might have been he, rather than "The Don", who debuted in the first Test in 1928/29?
JBMAC
State Captain
Stan McCabe: The cavalier batsman
Stan McCabe: The cavalier batsman
STAN McCabe is perhaps the only batsman who played three such legendary innings in his life that any of them can qualify as the greatest innings ever in the history of test cricket.
This is no mean achievement considering that McCabe is never remembered along with batsmen like Bradman, Hobbs, Hammond, Chappel, Sobers and Hutton.
But he was the man who had almost finished Douglas Jardine's plan to win Ashes through Body Line. His masterful 232 at Trent Bridge in 1938 when Bradman asked his fellow teammates to come to the balcony and watch the innings is a part of cricket folklore.
Bradman had said, 'Come and watch him bat, you will never see such a batting ever". Once again, McCabe's 187 (not out) against England in the Body Line series in 1932-33 when the entire Australian team including the great Sir Don had been contained by Larwood and Voce, stood him apart from other cricketers. Four times McCabe was hit on the body during the innings.
His third most famous innings was his 189 (not out) against South Africa at Joohannesburg in 1935. His hook shots played against bowlers like Larwood at Sydney and Kenneth Farnes at Trend Bridge remain one of the most thrilling strokes.
One of the greatest Australian batsmen ever, McCabe had a short career of eight years. He scored 2,748 runs at an average of over 48 in 61 innings with six centuries. But half of these six centuries came when the team needed them most and were superlative knocks.
Born in 1910, McCabe had his debut in 1932. He died at an age of 58 when he fell off from a cliff. His most memorable innings remains his 232 about which Bradman had said that he would have been proud to play such a knock.
It was scored at a run a minute. He needed challenging circumstances to make his mark and once he got such a situation he would play an innings of exceptional character.
Stan McCabe: The cavalier batsman
STAN McCabe is perhaps the only batsman who played three such legendary innings in his life that any of them can qualify as the greatest innings ever in the history of test cricket.
This is no mean achievement considering that McCabe is never remembered along with batsmen like Bradman, Hobbs, Hammond, Chappel, Sobers and Hutton.
But he was the man who had almost finished Douglas Jardine's plan to win Ashes through Body Line. His masterful 232 at Trent Bridge in 1938 when Bradman asked his fellow teammates to come to the balcony and watch the innings is a part of cricket folklore.
Bradman had said, 'Come and watch him bat, you will never see such a batting ever". Once again, McCabe's 187 (not out) against England in the Body Line series in 1932-33 when the entire Australian team including the great Sir Don had been contained by Larwood and Voce, stood him apart from other cricketers. Four times McCabe was hit on the body during the innings.
His third most famous innings was his 189 (not out) against South Africa at Joohannesburg in 1935. His hook shots played against bowlers like Larwood at Sydney and Kenneth Farnes at Trend Bridge remain one of the most thrilling strokes.
One of the greatest Australian batsmen ever, McCabe had a short career of eight years. He scored 2,748 runs at an average of over 48 in 61 innings with six centuries. But half of these six centuries came when the team needed them most and were superlative knocks.
Born in 1910, McCabe had his debut in 1932. He died at an age of 58 when he fell off from a cliff. His most memorable innings remains his 232 about which Bradman had said that he would have been proud to play such a knock.
It was scored at a run a minute. He needed challenging circumstances to make his mark and once he got such a situation he would play an innings of exceptional character.
JBMAC
State Captain
Frank Hearne
A famous cricketing family, Frank Hearne was a solid batsman with a strong defence and a range of attacking shots, favouring the off-side. He also occasionally bowled fast round-arm. A Kent regular, in 1888-89 he toured South Africa with Major Warton's side and stayed on at the end of the trip on health grounds, setting up a sports outfitters in Cape Town. He was soon invited to play for Western Province, and in an era when qualification for a new territory such as South Africa was extremely relaxed, within two years he was making his debut against his two brothers, who were both making their own debuts for England. He toured England in 1894, and to add to the mixed family loyalties, his son, George Hearne, played for South Africa as well.
A famous cricketing family, Frank Hearne was a solid batsman with a strong defence and a range of attacking shots, favouring the off-side. He also occasionally bowled fast round-arm. A Kent regular, in 1888-89 he toured South Africa with Major Warton's side and stayed on at the end of the trip on health grounds, setting up a sports outfitters in Cape Town. He was soon invited to play for Western Province, and in an era when qualification for a new territory such as South Africa was extremely relaxed, within two years he was making his debut against his two brothers, who were both making their own debuts for England. He toured England in 1894, and to add to the mixed family loyalties, his son, George Hearne, played for South Africa as well.
JBMAC
State Captain
Walter Read
Walter William Read (born 23 November 1855 in Reigate, Surrey, died 6 January 1907 in Addiscombe Park, Surrey) was an English cricketer, who was a right hand bat, right hand slow underarm bowler, but right hand fast roundarm bowler. He also captained England in two Test matches, winning them both. Read was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1893.
Read took part in the original Ashes match and is commemorated by the poem inscribed on the side of the urn:
When Ivo goes back with the urn, the urn;
Studds, Steel, Read and Tylecote return, return;
The welkin will ring loud,
The great crowd will feel proud,
Seeing Barlow and Bates with the urn, the urn;
And the rest coming home with the urn.
He played for Surrey from 1873 to 1897, scoring 338 for them against Oxford University in 1888. At the time, it was the second highest first-class score ever made. He was a member of the side that won the County Championship in 1890-2, 1894 and 1895.
He became the first number 10 to score a hundred in test cricket when he made 117 against Australia at The Oval in 1884. His match-saving innings remains the highest score by a No. 10 in Tests. He reached his century in 113 minutes with 36 scoring strokes. His partnership of 151 with William Scotton remains England's highest for the ninth wicket against Australia.
Walter William Read (born 23 November 1855 in Reigate, Surrey, died 6 January 1907 in Addiscombe Park, Surrey) was an English cricketer, who was a right hand bat, right hand slow underarm bowler, but right hand fast roundarm bowler. He also captained England in two Test matches, winning them both. Read was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1893.
Read took part in the original Ashes match and is commemorated by the poem inscribed on the side of the urn:
When Ivo goes back with the urn, the urn;
Studds, Steel, Read and Tylecote return, return;
The welkin will ring loud,
The great crowd will feel proud,
Seeing Barlow and Bates with the urn, the urn;
And the rest coming home with the urn.
He played for Surrey from 1873 to 1897, scoring 338 for them against Oxford University in 1888. At the time, it was the second highest first-class score ever made. He was a member of the side that won the County Championship in 1890-2, 1894 and 1895.
He became the first number 10 to score a hundred in test cricket when he made 117 against Australia at The Oval in 1884. His match-saving innings remains the highest score by a No. 10 in Tests. He reached his century in 113 minutes with 36 scoring strokes. His partnership of 151 with William Scotton remains England's highest for the ninth wicket against Australia.
JBMAC
State Captain
Leonard John Junor
JUNOR, LEONARD JOHN, who died on April 6, 2005, aged 90, was (and remains) Australia's youngest first-class cricketer. Len Junor played for Victoria against Western Australia in January 1930, at 15 years and 265 days old. A thrilling and impetuous young batsman, he failed to mature, and played just eight matches in all, none of them in the Sheffield Shield, and averaged 22. In 1996, making his first visit to the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 40 years, Junor admitted: "I didn't have enough brains to realise that the bowler up the other end was a pretty smart fellow."
JUNOR, LEONARD JOHN, who died on April 6, 2005, aged 90, was (and remains) Australia's youngest first-class cricketer. Len Junor played for Victoria against Western Australia in January 1930, at 15 years and 265 days old. A thrilling and impetuous young batsman, he failed to mature, and played just eight matches in all, none of them in the Sheffield Shield, and averaged 22. In 1996, making his first visit to the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 40 years, Junor admitted: "I didn't have enough brains to realise that the bowler up the other end was a pretty smart fellow."