Anthony De Mello

Anthony Stanislaus De Mello played a leading role in the formation of the Cricket Club of India, the BCCI and other local organisations. His enthusiasm was contagious but sometimes it got the better of him, as evidenced when he had to resign as secretary of the CCI after grossly overspending on the construction of the Brabourne Stadium.

As a player he was a medium-pacer, and although he went to Cambridge he did not play for them. His finest moment came on his first class debut when, playing for Rest of India against the Maharaj Kumar of Vizianagram's XI he dismissed Jack Hobbs, Herbert Sutcliffe and CS Nayudu on his way to career-best figures of 6 for 66.

Ever the showman, when he died after a cancer operation in 1961 he asked to be buried in MCC colours.
Martin Williamson