Ranjitsinhji was acclaimed during his lifetime as the greatest cricketer of all time. But his ultimate aim was not cricketing greatness — which he unquestionably achieved — but a throne to which he never had any real claim. open.substack.com/pub/oldebor7...

In 1904, in a boarding house at the heart of Liverpool’s Chinese community, a man called Pong Lun shot dead his friend John Go Hing. But no-one in the story proved quite as straightforward as the press claimed, not least the widow of John Go Hing. open.substack.com/pub/lostlive...

In 1904, in a boarding house at the heart of Liverpool’s Chinese community, a man called Pong Lun shot dead his friend John Go Hing. But no-one in the story proved quite as straightforward as the press claimed, not least the widow of John Go Hing. open.substack.com/pub/lostlive...

Wilfred Rhodes was a cricketing legend, taking more first-class wickets than anyone ever will, opening the batting for England and playing Test cricket in his 50s. But he constantly worked hard to remain at the cutting edge throughout a 32-year career. open.substack.com/pub/oldebor7...

Wilfred Rhodes was a cricketing legend, taking more first-class wickets than anyone ever will, opening the batting for England and playing Test cricket in his 50s. But he constantly worked hard to remain at the cutting edge throughout a 32-year career. open.substack.com/pub/oldebor7...

Samuel Richardson was one of the most influential figures in the early years of Derbyshire cricket. Until one day he disappeared, leaving behind a trail of fraud. open.substack.com/pub/oldebor7...

Samuel Richardson was one of the most influential figures in the early years of Derbyshire cricket. Until one day he disappeared, leaving behind a trail of fraud. open.substack.com/pub/oldebor7...

On Wednesday 3 September 1879, a young woman alighted from an omnibus in the centre of Liverpool. Several people noticed her but lost sight of her as she turned down a side street. It took 47 days to find out what had happened to Elizabeth Mary Edwards. open.substack.com/pub/lostlive...

On Wednesday 3 September 1879, a young woman alighted from an omnibus in the centre of Liverpool. Several people noticed her but lost sight of her as she turned down a side street. It took 47 days to find out what had happened to Elizabeth Mary Edwards. open.substack.com/pub/lostlive...

When WW2 broke out, the best batters in the world were Don Bradman and George Headley. After Headley became the first man to score twin centuries at Lord’s in the same Test, C. B. Fry dubbed him “Atlas”. It was more apposite than Fry could have realised open.substack.com/pub/oldebor7...

When WW2 broke out, the best batters in the world were Don Bradman and George Headley. After Headley became the first man to score twin centuries at Lord’s in the same Test, C. B. Fry dubbed him “Atlas”. It was more apposite than Fry could have realised open.substack.com/pub/oldebor7...

The long and messy cricketing relationship between amateur and professional was about far more than who was paid and who played out of “love”. open.substack.com/pub/oldebor7...

In 1898, the six-year-old Richard Henry Abbott ran away from home in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, and spent months in a Newcastle workhouse without revealing who he was. Instead he proved a talented teller of "untruths", a skill he carried forward into adulthood open.substack.com/pub/lostlive...

In 1898, the six-year-old Richard Henry Abbott ran away from home in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, and spent months in a Newcastle workhouse without revealing who he was. Instead he proved a talented teller of "untruths", a skill he carried forward into adulthood open.substack.com/pub/lostlive...

William Cropper had the potential to reach the highest level, excelling for Derbyshire from a young age. But his career stalled amid the pressure of playing for a struggling team, and a tragic football accident meant that his promise would never be fulfilled. open.substack.com/pub/oldebor7...

William Cropper had the potential to reach the highest level, excelling for Derbyshire from a young age. But his career stalled amid the pressure of playing for a struggling team, and a tragic football accident meant that his promise would never be fulfilled. open.substack.com/pub/oldebor7...

For any regular readers, oldebor.wordpress.com will no longer be updated, although it won't be deleted. But my regular in-depth cricket history pieces (and some revised older ones) will instead appear at oldebor77.substack.com. If you don't already subscribe, I hope you will!

When an actress, Ellen Augusta Rogers, died suddenly in Bradford in 1890 after a miscarriage, many would have passed judgement on the immorality of life on stage. But the real story was far more complicated both for Rogers and many like her. open.substack.com/pub/lostlive...

For any regular readers, oldebor.wordpress.com will no longer be updated, although it won't be deleted. But my regular in-depth cricket history pieces (and some revised older ones) will instead appear at oldebor77.substack.com. If you don't already subscribe, I hope you will!

When an actress, Ellen Augusta Rogers, died suddenly in Bradford in 1890 after a miscarriage, many would have passed judgement on the immorality of life on stage. But the real story was far more complicated both for Rogers and many like her. open.substack.com/pub/lostlive...

From Cambridge University to a strange death in Trinidad, via Washington state: the strange and inexplicable life of the English Test batter Charles Absolom. open.substack.com/pub/oldebor7...

Fred Tate reached his peak as a cricketer in 1902. As recognition for his form, he was selected for England for the Old Trafford Test against Australia. His life would never be the same.

Fred Tate reached his peak as a cricketer in 1902. As recognition for his form, he was selected for England for the Old Trafford Test against Australia. His life would never be the same.

Fred Tate remains notorious for his role in England's three-run defeat by Australia at Old Trafford in 1902. But before that, he had established himself as a good journeyman cricketer. Given his difficult background, that was quite an achievement in itself.

Fred Tate remains notorious for his role in England's three-run defeat by Australia at Old Trafford in 1902. But before that, he had established himself as a good journeyman cricketer. Given his difficult background, that was quite an achievement in itself.

One of cricket's most notorious "chuckers" was Arthur Mold. But there was far more to him than the straightness (or otherwise) of his elbow. open.substack.com/pub/oldebor7...

In January 1899, £60,000 disappeared from a drawer in Parr's Bank, London. It was a huge sum and, apparently, a brilliantly audacious crime. But something was not quite right, not least when much of the money was returned a few days later… open.substack.com/pub/lostlive...

In January 1899, £60,000 disappeared from a drawer in Parr's Bank, London. It was a huge sum and, apparently, a brilliantly audacious crime. But something was not quite right, not least when much of the money was returned a few days later… open.substack.com/pub/lostlive...

One of cricket's most notorious "chuckers" was Arthur Mold. But there was far more to him than the straightness (or otherwise) of his elbow. open.substack.com/pub/oldebor7...

I’ve got something in this issue about Charlie Buller, whose life reads like something from a novel. On sale now!

In 1952, Miles Giffard murdered his parents and was hanged under the strict M’Naghten Rules despite clear suggestions that he was mentally ill. The story has fascinated the public for more than seventy years but the suggestion that Giffard was a cricketer is something of a stretch

In 1952, Miles Giffard murdered his parents and was hanged under the strict M’Naghten Rules despite clear suggestions that he was mentally ill. The story has fascinated the public for more than seventy years but the suggestion that Giffard was a cricketer is something of a stretch

Bev Lyon was an inspirational captain of Gloucestershire, turning an inconsistent team into Championship contenders. And yet he came so close to achieving even more. oldebor77.substack.com/p/bev-lyon?r...

A unexplained double death in Fulham in 1892: a young actress and a man calling himself her husband. A tragic accident? Or a murder-suicide? open.substack.com/pub/lostlive...

A unexplained double death in Fulham in 1892: a young actress and a man calling himself her husband. A tragic accident? Or a murder-suicide? open.substack.com/pub/lostlive...

Bev Lyon was an inspirational captain of Gloucestershire, turning an inconsistent team into Championship contenders. And yet he came so close to achieving even more. oldebor77.substack.com/p/bev-lyon?r...

In 1881, Nottinghamshire’s "schism" moved from private correspondence to open conflict. Seven professionals challenged the authority of the County Committee, demanding guaranteed selection and benefits. The confrontation ended in decisive defeat for the rebels oldebor.wordpress.com/2026/02/16/a...

In 1881, Nottinghamshire’s "schism" moved from private correspondence to open conflict. Seven professionals challenged the authority of the County Committee, demanding guaranteed selection and benefits. The confrontation ended in decisive defeat for the rebels oldebor.wordpress.com/2026/02/16/a...

During the later 19th century, when amateurs took control of English cricket from professionals, there was surprisingly little resistance to the new status quo. Except in Nottinghamshire, where an 1881 dispute became the last serious attempt to resist amateur domination.

During the later 19th century, when amateurs took control of English cricket from professionals, there was surprisingly little resistance to the new status quo. Except in Nottinghamshire, where an 1881 dispute became the last serious attempt to resist amateur domination.

In 1892, an independently wealthy man called William Stiles died in faintly murky circumstances. There were questions whether he had been held against his wishes, and whether he had been forced to change his will in favour of his possible captors. open.substack.com/pub/lostlive...

In 1892, an independently wealthy man called William Stiles died in faintly murky circumstances. There were questions whether he had been held against his wishes, and whether he had been forced to change his will in favour of his possible captors. open.substack.com/pub/lostlive...

Aubrey Faulkner was one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of Test cricket but has received little attention from historians. He was a complex man about whom little is known, yet whose success on the cricket field possibly disguised several demons.

Aubrey Faulkner was one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of Test cricket but has received little attention from historians. He was a complex man about whom little is known, yet whose success on the cricket field possibly disguised several demons.

The Tragedies of Sam Moss The suspicions over the legitimacy of Sam Moss's bowling action finished his career as a top league cricketer. He continued to play professionally for several years, but he was not destined for a happy ending.

The Tragedies of Sam Moss The suspicions over the legitimacy of Sam Moss's bowling action finished his career as a top league cricketer. He continued to play professionally for several years, but he was not destined for a happy ending.

No-one ever knew who Mabel Grey was nor where she came from. Was she a courtesan or an invention? All attempts to define her failed before she vanished as mysteriously as she arrived. She was notorious and scandalous. And the press couldn't get enough open.substack.com/pub/lostlive...

No-one ever knew who Mabel Grey was nor where she came from. Was she a courtesan or an invention? All attempts to define her failed before she vanished as mysteriously as she arrived. She was notorious and scandalous. And the press couldn't get enough open.substack.com/pub/lostlive...

Samuel Moss, perhaps the fastest bowler in the world in the late 1890s, proved extremely successful playing for Bacup in the Lancashire League. But questions over the legality of his bowling action continued to grow as throwing became a controversial topic in English cricket

The inventor (or discoverer) of the googly did not quite meet the ideal of a cricketing pioneer. Instead he was a mediocre player who had one blinding insight that changed the sport forever open.substack.com/pub/oldebor7...