The history of Test cricket is often littered with the names of great batsmen and fast bowlers. Legends like Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, Muttiah Muralitharan and Glenn McGrath have defined the game. But in its shadow, there have been many players who have had just as profound an impact on the outcome of matches but have not received the recognition they deserved. Their records, their performances, their talent – they have all been left out of the limelight. This article looks at five Test players who left a lasting impression but never earned much fame.
1. Clarrie Grimmett
Australia's Clarrie Grimmett was one such player. He took 216 wickets in just 37 Tests, including 21 five-wicket hauls. His flipper is still seen as a weapon of many spinners, but he introduced something entirely new back then. The former Australian took 14 wickets against South Africa in 1936, proving that matches can be turned around even on flat pitches. Despite this, his name always remained in the shadow of Don Bradman, and later on, Shane Warne overshadowed his name.
2. Mike Procter
South Africa's Mike Procter's story was completely different and sad. He played only seven Tests and took 41 wickets in them at an average of 15.02. He also has a Test century to his name. There was such a balance between his bowling speed and batting aggression that it could completely change any team. But due to the apartheid policy, his career was halted almost as soon as it started. If he had a long career, he would have been in the league of Imran Khan or Ian Botham.
3. Subhash Gupte
India's Subhash Gupte was also forgotten, although he took 149 wickets in 36 Tests. Even West Indies' Gary Sobers said that he was the most dangerous spinner he faced. His performance of 9/102 is still a legacy of India's bowling. But Gupte's career ended prematurely after an incident related to discipline. Later, when India saw the era of its 'spin quartet', Gupte was even stopped from getting remembered.
4. George Lohmann
What England's George Lohmann did in the 19th century is beyond statistics. 112 wickets in just 18 Tests and an average of just 10.75; these figures seem beyond imagination today. He took five wickets in an innings nine times and gave a best performance of 8/35. But a disease like TB cut his career short, and he died at the age of 36. As time passed, Lohmann's name faded, and the new generation of fans forgot him.
5. Vinoo Mankad
Then comes the name of Vinoo Mankad, whose identity is associated with 'Mankading' today. But he gave much more to cricket than this. He scored 2109 runs and took 162 wickets in 44 Tests. His 184 and 8/55 against England in 1952 is the most vivid example of a single player winning a Test match. Mankad's contribution to India's first Test win was a pillar, but he is lost among names like Vijay Hazare or Sunil Gavaskar.
All these players are tied by a common thread - impressive performances, but little recognition. Their names may not be mentioned often, but their impact is deeply etched in the history of what is called cricket.
