Who Would Have Thought It – Kallicharran’s all-round stunner

Alvin Kallicharran was one of the pivots of the West Indian batting line-up through the 1970s. In an international career from 1971-72 to 1980-81, the diminutive Guyanese left-hander scored 4399 runs at 44.43 in 66 Tests, besides 826 runs at 34.41 in 31 ODIs. He also enjoyed a distinguished domestic career, with most of his […]

In Focus – Surrey end a 16-year wait in style

With a successful chase of 272 that brought a three-wicket win against hosts Worcestershire, Surrey ended a 16-year wait to claim their 19th County Championship title on September 13. The last time Surrey laid hands on English cricket’s most prestigious trophy was under Adam Hollioake in 2002, which was their third title in four years. […]

Who Would Have Thought It – Married v Single at Lord’s

The olden days of first-class cricket in England were replete with intriguing and bizarre fixtures, such as One-Legged XI v One-Armed XI, Smokers v Non-Smokers and Over 38 v Under 38, to name a few. Among these off-beat encounters were seven matches titled Married v Single, contested between – as the name suggests – […]

Specials – Manek Bajana: The Parsi batsman who played for Somerset

Manek Pallon Bajana was one of the most promising Parsi cricketers of his time. But interestingly, he never played a first-class match for the Parsis nor for any other team on Indian soil. Instead, he devoted almost his entire playing career to Somerset in the County Championship. ‘Prince’ Bajana, a solidly-built right-handed batsman, […]

IN FOCUS – Durham’s third title in six years

The youngest county in the County Championship added a third title to their cabinet this season, sealing the issue last month with a round still remaining. Durham, who were awarded the status of a first-class county only in 1992 (seven decades since the previous newest team) now boast of a rare three Championship victories […]

IN FOCUS – Ten tumultuous years of Twenty20

The commencement of the latest edition of England’s domestic Twenty20 tournament yesterday marked the tenth anniversary of the oldest T20 competition in the world. On 13th June 2003, five games of the Twenty20 Cup were played across England to signal the arrival of cricket’s newest product, which was to become a golden goose in […]

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT – Glenn Turner’s one-man show

Glenn Turner was easily one of New Zealand’s best batsmen. He represented the Kiwis in 41 Tests and an equal number of ODI’s with distinction, averaging 44.64 and 47 respectively. In first class cricket, he has recorded an amazing 103 centuries – with a best of 311*. But undoubtedly the most eye-popping of these […]

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT – Not just an ordinary rearguard effort

This Championship match of 1947 was played between home side Derbyshire and visiting Essex at Chesterfield. Derbyshire won the toss and elected to bat in this three-day affair. Almost immediately, Raymond Smith drew first blood, as he bowled Charles Elliott for only 2 to make it 8/1, upon which Trevor Bailey, later to […]

Who Would Have Thought It – Hampshire’s stunning comeback

The sort of comeback engineered by Hampshire against Warwickshire at Edgbaston in the 1922 County Championship is unlikely to be seen again. This intriguing match took place between 14th and 16th June, 1922. Hampshire captain, the Hon. Lionel Tennyson, decided to put the home team in after winning the toss. The wicket was […]

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT – Vallance Jupp’s bitter-sweet record

Getting ten wickets in an innings is a feat every bowler dreams of – very few get to achieve that in their career. Getting ten in an innings, and top scoring with the bat in both innings – that is the stuff of fantasy. Vallance Jupp of Northamptonshire achieved this remarkable feat for his county in the 1932 Championship. […]