Odd Men In
Paul Edwards writes about the cricketing characters he has come across over the years
ESPNcricinfo staff
03-May-2020
In Odd Men In, a series inspired by AA Thomson's book and Gideon Haigh's column by the same name, Paul Edwards writes about the cricketing characters that have caught his imagination over the years.
July 28
Dar Lyon, who viewed normality much as the bull regards the matador
Dar and Bev Lyon evoke characters in an Evelyn Waugh novel
Dar Lyon, who viewed normality much as the bull regards the matador
Dar and Bev Lyon evoke characters in an Evelyn Waugh novel
July 21
'Undaunted and unflinching, John Edrich was one of England's bravest cricketers'
Surrey opener never backed down from a fight during career that yielded 39,790 first-class runs
'Undaunted and unflinching, John Edrich was one of England's bravest cricketers'
Surrey opener never backed down from a fight during career that yielded 39,790 first-class runs
July 14
'Greatness and destiny' - Imran Khan, a man born to win
From Eastbourne to the MCG to the polling booth, Pakistan's prime minister has always relished a challenge
'Greatness and destiny' - Imran Khan, a man born to win
From Eastbourne to the MCG to the polling booth, Pakistan's prime minister has always relished a challenge
June 30
Frank Worrell: The captain who helped West Indies make their own West Indian way
While some cricketers change the games in which they play, in the early 1960s, Frank Worrell changed the game everybody played
Frank Worrell: The captain who helped West Indies make their own West Indian way
While some cricketers change the games in which they play, in the early 1960s, Frank Worrell changed the game everybody played
June 23
Young George Cox, who made Hove his garden
Cox was a Sussex stalwart, whose best innings came against the toughest opposition
Young George Cox, who made Hove his garden
Cox was a Sussex stalwart, whose best innings came against the toughest opposition
June 16
The forgotten 'Australian-Lancastrian' who ranks among the greats
Ted McDonald gave up his Test career to cut a swathe through county cricket in the '20s
The forgotten 'Australian-Lancastrian' who ranks among the greats
Ted McDonald gave up his Test career to cut a swathe through county cricket in the '20s
June 9
New Zealand's Oxford Don
Martin Donnelly's brief Test career was interrupted by World War I but he shone nevertheless
New Zealand's Oxford Don
Martin Donnelly's brief Test career was interrupted by World War I but he shone nevertheless
June 2
Four golden summers of Richardson's double-whirl
After almost 15 years in the game, Alan Richardson found a late-career peak at Worcestershire
Four golden summers of Richardson's double-whirl
After almost 15 years in the game, Alan Richardson found a late-career peak at Worcestershire
May 26
The Bodyline dissenter and India's Tiger prince
The eighth and ninth Nawabs of Pataudi made significant contributions to the game
The Bodyline dissenter and India's Tiger prince
The eighth and ninth Nawabs of Pataudi made significant contributions to the game
May 19
The umpire who raised standards and changed perceptions
Frank Chester lost an arm and a playing career but found fame as an official
The umpire who raised standards and changed perceptions
Frank Chester lost an arm and a playing career but found fame as an official
May 12
'When it came to sheer beauty, McCabe was on his own'
He played in the shadow of Bradman but Stan McCabe had a sparkle few could match
'When it came to sheer beauty, McCabe was on his own'
He played in the shadow of Bradman but Stan McCabe had a sparkle few could match
May 5
'An outstanding player, and an outstanding person'
VVS Laxman left a mark of class during his two spells at Lancashire, none more so than on a tricky pitch at Blackpool
'An outstanding player, and an outstanding person'
VVS Laxman left a mark of class during his two spells at Lancashire, none more so than on a tricky pitch at Blackpool
April 28
Anti-establishment fighter whose statistics defy belief
Charlie Parker was a giant of county game who took 3278 first-class wickets - but only once played for England
Anti-establishment fighter whose statistics defy belief
Charlie Parker was a giant of county game who took 3278 first-class wickets - but only once played for England
April 21
'He had this knack, you thought you were going to get a wicket every ball'
Profile of Lancashire's Ian Folley, who came agonisingly close to an England cap before the yips overcame him
'He had this knack, you thought you were going to get a wicket every ball'
Profile of Lancashire's Ian Folley, who came agonisingly close to an England cap before the yips overcame him
April 16
'Palairet had style. It stood out a mile'
Edwards takes us back to the Golden Age and an unmistakable Somerset stylist
'Palairet had style. It stood out a mile'
Edwards takes us back to the Golden Age and an unmistakable Somerset stylist