Tuesday 2nd November, 2010 15 BY MAHINDA WIJESINGHE dusty, turning wickets in the sub-conti- nent, he was to India what Godfrey ith the current trend of select- Evans was to England a couple of ing World XIs based on various decades earlier. No wonder he was the Whuman qualities such as ‘gentle- first choice wicket-keeper for the Rest of manliness’, ‘elegance’, ‘flamboyance’, the World XI in the 1970’s, and was an ‘stodginess’, and so forth, what about a attacking batsman of high quality as team of ‘professionals’? well. For instance, as an opener, his blis- Or, to put it more succinctly, here’s a A contractor to an ironmonger tering century (109) against the West team whose names denoted a profession. Indies attack comprising Hall, Griffith, Of course, one has to delve into history, Sobers and Gibbs at Chepauk in 1967 and by attempting to ‘balance’ the team, will be also remembered for having it may not be the strongest to meet the unfortunately missed reaching the cen- other so-called World XIs. However, tury by a mere six runs before lunch on since these matches are in one’s imagi- the first day of the Test which would nation only, who cares? with a packer in support have enabled him get membership of Let us begin at the beginning. the exclusive company of Trumper, The left-handed Indian opener Nari Macartney, Bradman and Majid Khan. Contractor, who played 31 Tests, takes West Indians were well-known for first strike. Just as the Australian left- producing a string of high quality fast handed opener Arthur Morris who bowlers, especially during the decades began his first-class career with twin of the 1970’s and 1980’s. centuries, Contractor emulated this feat Malcolm Marshall did not possess for Gujarat against Baroda in 1952. the most classical of actions. Nor was The youngest (at that time) at 26 Or, to put it more suc- he blessed with the necessary height years, to captain his country (against cinctly, here’s a team and build for the trade. Yet he proved as Pakistan in 1960-61) he led India to a his- “ one of the most fearsome paceman of toric 2-0 win over England led by Ted whose names denoted the lot. A cunning cricket brain, loads of Dexter in 1961-62. It was the first occa- stamina and a bagful of courage helped sion when India won a rubber against a profession. Of him capture 376 wickets at a mean cost England. In 2007 he was awarded the C. of 20.95/wicket in the 81 Tests he played K. Nayudu lifetime achievement award, course, one has to with an impressive strike-rate of 46.7. the highest honour the Indian board can delve into history, and He displayed superlative skill and bestow on a former player. On this occa- courage, when he demolished England sion, the Nawab of Pataudi - currently by attempting to ‘bal- by capturing 7/53 in 1984 at Leeds with the youngest at 21 years 77 days to cap- his fractured left-arm in plaster tain any country - most graciously com- ance’ the team, it may enabling West Indies to an easy win. He mented as follows: “He was a great cap- was no mug with the bat either having tain and a great role model. I played not be the strongest to hit 10 half centuries in Tests. Tragically, under him for the first time when we meet the other so- aged 41. he was cruelly felled by the beat Ted Dexter’s side 2-0 in 1961-62.” scourge of cancer. Sadly, when at the threshold of a called World XIs. Of course, there could have been a promising career, tragedy struck. A better choice from the West Indian sta- short delivery from West Indian pace- However, since these bles itself to fill the fourth paceman’s slot - after Miller, Marshall and Procter. “ man, Charlie Griffith, felled him at “ Barbados in 1962 with almost fatal con- matches are in one’s But then, one needs a professional han- sequences. Two years later he bravely imagination only, who dle to be picked to represent the profes- attempted to stage a comeback but was sionals. So the vote goes to, though not successful. cares? injury-prone, Ian Bishop hailing from Contractor’s opening partner, and to Trinidad. Capturing 161 wickets at ensure a left-right opening pair, New 24.27/wicket in 43 Tests are not figures Zealand’s right-handed Glen Turner fills to scoff at especially with a strike-rate the bill. After all, a contractor does need of 52.2 but recurring stress fractures of a man who can operate a lathe! his back put paid to greater deeds. Sometimes considered the Kiwi version Australian, Herbert (‘Bert’) of England’s Geoff Boycott, Turner was Ironmonger is the selectors’ pick as the epitome of a professional cricketer this solid right-hander’s prodigious bat- No.11, and there weren’t any worse bats- and captained his country in 10 Tests ting skills with a first-class average of man for this position! As A.G. but later fell foul with administrators. 71.6, being only second to that of (“Johnny”) Moyes once observed: “He Bradman, and a Test average of 47.7, is He twice carried out bat in Tests while How if Vijay Merchant is to lead a cricket team comprising top international play- went to the wickets mostly as a gesture averaging a healthy 44-plus and possess the choice at No.4, and picked to lead the to convention.” The heavily-built, slow- ers whose names denote professions? Here is Merchant displaying one of his the proud record of having amassed 103 professional team as well. In 47 Ranji moving fastish left-arm spinner was first-class hundreds. Trophy innings he sported a batting classic off-drives in a Test against England at the Oval in 1946. (Files) ironically nicknamed “Dainty”. Despite West Indian Seymour Nurse was a average of a stunning 98.75! Perhaps pol- 1967-68 series. Bradman’s ‘Invincibles’ of 1948 and having lost the top of his middle finger solid right-hand batsman and a superb itics eluded him the Indian captaincy, Now comes the star-turn, Australian helped enhance his reputation but not in his bowling hand, he was more than a close-in fielder and will be the choice at after all, wasn’t he made (or rail-road- all-rounder, Keith Ross Miller at No.6. his chance of captaining Australia. handful during his brief 14-Test career the all-important No.3 slot. ed?) to play under the ostentatious cap- Some even consider him the greatest all- Now comes another all-rounder, a during which he captured 74 wickets at Sporting a respectable batting aver- taincy of Maharajkumar of rounder of all time. tragic one at that, and the only South 17.9. Just as Underwood, decades later, age of 47.6 in the 29 Tests, he played in Vizianagram during the Indian tour of However, statistics did not - and can- African contribution to the professional he was unplayable on soft pitches. He an era when the West Indies batsmen England in 1936? not - do justice to the former dare-devil XI - Mike Procter. Sadly he played in made his Test debut at the veteran age were better known for their flamboy- Basil Butcher of the West Indies fighter-pilot’s career with a batting aver- only 7 Tests and, like his contempo- of 45 years and 237 days, along with the ance and panache. The big-built made his presence felt during the 1958- age of 36.9 and 170 wickets captured at raries, could not display his vast talent exalted company of Don Bradman, Barbadian, on the other hand, gave 59 series in India, against the bowlers of 22.9 in 55 Tests. He was also known for internationally due to his country’s against England in the 1928-29 series. He solidity to their batting. In the 1966 tour the calibre of Gupte, Nadkarni, his good looks, flamboyant feats on the abhorrent political policies. 41 Test did not make much of an early impres- of England he began the series with an Mankad, Phadkar and Ghulam Ahmed. field but more importantly the generous wickets at 15.02, all against Australia, is sion being used mainly as a stock innings of 49 runs and then passed the The Guyanese right-hander aggregated attitude towards the game. Once during sufficient proof of his prowess as a bowler in the first two Tests after which half-century mark five times in as many 486 runs (average 69.4) including two a Test match, after England had lost a right-arm paceman who bowled off the he lost his place. However, he came into Tests including a magnificent 137 at hundreds. In the 1960’s, Australian skip- couple of wickets in quick succession wrong foot. As a batsman he equaled his own against the touring West Indies Leeds that helped West Indies retain the per Richie Benaud considered Butcher and runs were at a premium, Miller the records of C. B. Fry and Don in the 1930-31 series at Melbourne, cap- Wisden Trophy. Making his final appear- the “most difficult” thought he could liven up the game and Bradman of scoring six successive first- turing 11/79 including the great George ance in Tests, against New Zealand in West Indian batsmen to dismiss - the whispered to the incoming batsman: class hundreds. His feats for Headley in both innings as the tourists the 1968-69 series at Christchurch, West Indian version of Ken Barrington! “I’ll bowl you two half-volleys to start Gloucestershire, whom most referred as crashed headlong to an innings defeat.