They broke the mould after Sir Garry

Feb 27, 2014: Even today - and not just to those of a certain vintage - Garry Sobers remains above every other claimant to the title of cricket's greatest allrounder

The responsible Mr Wog

Jun 13, 2013: Steve Waugh always fulfilled his duties, and managed to never be crushed by them: he was the kind of man any bookish 11-year-old would aspire to be

The idol who went too soon

Apr 10, 2013: Raman Lamba was a feisty strokeplayer, a stern mentor who brooked no passengers, and a hero to a generation of Indian cricketers

Bryce McGain

The leggie who was one of us

Jan 16, 2013: It's hard not to admire the story and spirit of a club spinner who believed he would one day make it to the big leagues - and briefly did

The bowler who wiped the smile off batsmen's faces

Nov 19, 2012: Waqar Younis made a young English fan believe that the opposition could be dismissed in the space of balls, not days

That languid, Gower summer

Oct 4, 2012: In 1985, at the height of his powers, David Gower was flawless, influential, and a lesson to eight-year-olds on what style meant

Les Favell

Attack and revel

Sep 6, 2012: Les Favell didn't play for numbers or records but to entertain; and he lived his life that way as well

Younis Khan

Howard Roark via Atticus Finch

Aug 3, 2012: Not lovable on first sight, Younis Khan grows on you with his determination and commitment

Peter Willey

Saved for the best

Oct 15, 2011: Few have been bred tougher than Peter Willey, who specialised in fronting up to West Indies head-on

Douglas Jardine

An irresistible force

May 12, 2011: Douglas Jardine's desire to win back the Ashes at all costs brought him the urn, and vilification in England and Australia

The most underestimated batsman of his era

Apr 24, 2011: Derek Randall played the game as we thought we would if we were in his shoes, only with 2000 times more natural ability

Lala Amarnath

The commoner's colossus

Mar 28, 2011: A Lahore urchin, Lala Amarnath grew to walk with princes, but never lost sight of his roots

Allan Lamb

Lambie and I

Dec 16, 2010: 'Twas a bond that brooked neither stats nor sense

Zaheer Abbas

The art of Z

Nov 29, 2010: Watching Zaheer Abbas bat from the other end was a study in the art of elegant batsmanship. And a lesson in running yourself out

Mark Taylor

The stolid buccaneer

Oct 17, 2010: As batsman, Taylor was safe as houses; as captain, he was an adventurer

Bishan Bedi

Graceful and gracious

Sep 23, 2010: Bishan Bedi's talent was vast and he had the heart to match. The beauty of his action was bewitching and he had the cruelty to go with it

Imran Khan

The flawed, the fabulous

Sep 20, 2010: Imran was a true hero and he had the cracks in his armour to prove it

Les Favell

A boy's own idol

Sep 4, 2010: Les Favell was an inspiration to many - one lad in particular

MAK Pataudi

A princely state

Aug 21, 2010: Pataudi brought to Indian cricket a dash of hauteur and a touch of heroism

Barry Richards

Past perfect

Jul 21, 2010: Talent, skill, cricketing smarts and a ferocious will to achieve: the world's most romanticised player had it all