With the first final of the World Test Championship just around the corner, let us look at some of the less remembered greats of the game.
George Headley
For a common cricket follower of today – Lara, Viv Richards, Chanderpaul, Haynes – are the poster boys of legendary West Indian batsmanship. To the fan of the game before World War II, however, it’ll always be George Headley. The record holder for the test score by a West Indies batsman was born at Panama on May 30, 1909. With none to coach him during his early days, he taught himself the aspects of the game. Known for his impeccable timing, he made a name for himself during the Australian tour of 1930/31. The experts of the day were astonished at his timing and placement. In addition to his mastery of batsmanship, he was also a part time bowler and a great fielder. It won’t be further from truth to say that he the beginning of what was to come in the history of West Indies cricket.
Wally Hammond
The great legend of English cricket was born at Dover in the year 1903. He began playing cricket at the age of 8. As was not uncommon in those days, he was a yet another example of an autodidact. After witnessing some of his performance for his county team, the watchers were left with no doubt regarding his talent and went back home with their mind filled with expectations. His career did justify the great expectations. Loved for his aggressive and stylish batting, he was a significant contributor to his team’s performances. His numbers at the end of his career were impressive – 50,511 first class runs at an average of 56.10 with 167 centuries. He was overshadowed by the greatness of Sir Don Bradman during his career.
Douglas Jardine
The former captain of England test cricket team is remembered by history for reasons other than his batsmanship. Douglas Jardine was born at Bombay in 1900 and was coached by his father, also a cricketer, during his early days. Though he impressed with fine batting performances in the Australian tour of 1928/29, it is for his role as a captain in the tour four years later that the Australians remember him. Armed with the pace of H Larwood and Voce, he countered the threat of an intimidating Australian batting order by targetting their body with bouncers. This series is known as the bodyline series for this reason. This tactic was not well received by the Australian crowd and the cricket board. He was unperturbed by the angry response of the crowd and the board. He was called as “The Iron Duke” for his rock like character.
Victor Trumper
Regarded as a great batsman by his contemporaries, but now forgotten by many in the cricket world, Victor Trumper was the first of many great cricketing batters from Australia. The early period of cricket history is notorious for its terrible pitches. It was on these tracks Trumper astonished many with his batting performances. He was the first to score a hundred before lunch. His mates, who marvelled at his batting on sticky wickets, opined that he was worth 3 wickets. He was also known for his big hitting. Also an outstanding fielder to boot, he was a significant part of the team. Victor Trumper died at a young age of 37.
Palwankar Baloo
Palwankar Baloo, the first Indian Dalit cricketer, was also a great slow bowler. He is regarded as the first great of Indian cricket. He rose through the ranks from doing ground duties and bowling in the nets at a club to the leader of the attack of whichever team he represented. On his first tour to England, he picked over 200 wickets at an incredible average of 13 apiece. Hailing from a low caste family, his stuggles were more off the field than on the field. He conquered these inequalities through his skill in the game. He later on became a politician to fight for the rights of the depressed. Another interesting highlight of his life was that he contested against Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in an election and lost it by over 2000 votes. He was a role model for the depressed classes during his time. His contributions as a cricketer and a politician will be remembered for a long time to come.
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