The ICC Cricket Hall of Fame was launched on January 2, 2009, to celebrate and recognise the fine achievements of legendary cricketers over the years. This year, too, there were some significant additions to the long list of inductees. Here, we will talk about two heroes of the post-World War era, who have had significant contributions to the game for their respective countries – Ted Dexter and Vinoo Mankad
POST-WAR ERA (1946-1970)
Ted Dexter
Ted Dexter of England was an epitome of dexterity. The prolific all-rounder played for England in -between 1958 and 1968. In that decade, he featured 62 Tests, scored 4,502 runs at 47.89, took 66 wickets at 34.93. He was a fierce pacer and was equally skilful with the bat. He has 9 tons and 27 fifties in his international career.
He dominated the county cricket too, playing for Sussex. Ted was one of those batsmen who imbibed the rare talent of sturdy defence and limitless aggression. His First Class career that spanned across 327 matches, saw him scoring 51 hundreds and 108 half-centuries!
With the ball he was lethal as well, picking up 419 wickets at an average of 29.92, with his best figures being 7/24. His most memorable innings was in the 1963 Lord’s Test where he took on the likes of Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith to score 70 off 73 balls. He was the master at breaking partnerships with his medium-fast seam bowling. He also served as England’s Chairman of Selectors and played an influential role in developing what is today’s MRF Tyres ICC Player Rankings.
Watch cricketing journey of Ted Dexter
(Video hosted by Star Sports)
Vinoo Mankad
One of the most deserving candidates of the Hall of Fame, Mulvantrai Himmatlal Mankad, better known as Vinoo Mankad, started his illustrious career right before the dawn of independent India. A career spanning from 1946 to 1959 was studded with brilliant all-round performances which saw his name on the Lord's Honours Board.
The Gujarat-based player featured in 44 Tests for India, scored 2,109 runs at an average of 31.47, and took 162 wickets at 32.32.
He is only one of the three cricketers to have batted at all positions during the Test career, even though he excelled at opening. He made five 100s, and picked up eight wickets in an innings twice with his slow left arm orthodox bowling.
Mankad's debut came against England at Lord's where he impressed with a gritty 63 and even though India lost the match, his knock remained the best in the entire India innings. With the ball too, he was impactful as he went on to pick his first five-wicket haul in his very second Test. His most famous feat was against England at Lord's in 1952 when he scored 72 and 184 and bowled 97 overs in the match. He is also remembered for his world record 413-run opening wicket stand with Pankaj Roy against New Zealand in Chennai (1955-56). Known as one of the greatest all-rounders from India, Mankad has also coached another legendary cricketer and fellow ICC Hall of Fame member from his country, Sunil Gavaskar.
Mankad, whose name has been associated with the controversial ‘mankading’ way of dismissing a batsman, passed away at the age of 61 in Mumbai in 1978.
Watch a special tribute to Mankad
(Video hosted by The EPIC Channel)
Also Read:
- ICC Hall of Fame 2021: Know your heroes (ODI Era)
- ICC Hall of Fame 2021: Know your heroes (Modern Era)
