The BCCI award for the best Indian International cricketer of the year is named after Polly Umrigar, primarily a batsman he could also turn his arm over for a bit of off spin.

Fazal Mahmood fights back, the first in an illustrious line of fast bowlers from Pakistan, and the first to win Wisden Cricketer of the year, his father advised him to walk 5 miles and run 5 miles everyday to build up his stamina. (We also recommend that he stops smoking.)

Tragedy at Tangiwai provided the backdrop for acts of great courage in the second test at Christmas in Johannesburg 1953, Bob Blair and Bert Sutcliffe, pictured, take a world record 25 runs off one 8 ball over bowled by South African off spinner Hugh Tayfield.

Trevor Bailey by turns useful, tidy, pugnacious and bloody minded. This was a year English cricket fans had waited for

Its a low key end to an exciting winter, when South Africa conclude their antipodean adventure by visiting New Zealand; meanwhile the most famous New Zealander of all time climbs THAT mountain.

I am using a non-cricket image this week because its such an iconic image and something beautiful to carry around in your pocket.

Its India's first trip to the Caribbean to play the West Indies, for Subhash Gupte it was love at first sight.

We also find out why Clyde Walcott was upset by his Uncle Harold.

Jack Cheetham's South Africa sprung not one but two of the biggest shocks in Test cricket history; they used sports science, hard work and fielding drill to drag themselves into a contest everyone said was unwinnable

Abdul Kardar had once played cricket for India, now he was Captain of Pakistan, tall, elegant, tough.

Pakistan play their first test match.

As a new international cricket side playing their first test matches away from home could they measure up to an experienced Indian side? It was cricket but it was so much more than just a game.

Fiery Fred Trueman, pictured, made an instant impact on his test debut against India aged only 21; in other news the MCC broke with tradition to choose a professional England Captain for the first time in their history.

After the pressure cooker of an Australian tour New Zealand was a welcome haven for crickets, Sammy Guillen liked it so much he stayed.

We dedicate this podcast to victims, survivors and relatives of scientists, servicemen and civilians, victims of the nuclear ambitions and power politic of Britain and other powers during the cold war, and in sincere hope that these weapons are part of history not part of the future.