During the later nineteenth century, there was a quiet revolution in cricket. As amateurs took control of the county game, professionals lost security and autonomy. There was surprisingly little resistance to the new status quo. Except in Nottinghamshire, where an 1881 dispute over "naming rights", selection and benefits exposed the fault lines, and became the last serious attempt by players to resist amateur domination.

During the later nineteenth century, there was a quiet revolution in cricket. As amateurs took control of the county game, professionals lost security and autonomy. There was surprisingly little resistance to the new status quo. Except in Nottinghamshire, where an 1881 dispute over "naming rights", selection and benefits exposed the fault lines, and became the last serious attempt by players to resist amateur domination.

Unanswered — and Unasked — Questions at an Inquest

Unanswered — and Unasked — Questions at an Inquest

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 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 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.

Queen of the Demimonde

Queen of the Demimonde

At a time when his career should have been going from strength to strength, Sam Moss — according to some, the fastest bowler in the world — found himself at the centre of a furore over his bowling action. After years of questioning glances, he was no-balled multiple times for throwing and his future was cast into uncertainty

The Father of the Googly

The Murder of Martha Charles

For a time in the 1890s, the fastest bowler in the world was possibly a professional playing in league cricket. Sam Moss was from Lancashire but his career took him around the country, where he was usually too fast for the opposition batters. But whispers about his bowling action — at a time when English cricket was very sensitive about such matters — followed him too.

The New South Wales cricketer Andy Newell disappeared in 1907 and was assumed to have killed himself after suffering from depression. His obituary was even printed in Wisden. But he was not dead. Instead, he had left his home to begin a new life.

The New South Wales cricketer Andy Newell disappeared in 1907 and was assumed to have killed himself after suffering from depression. His obituary was even printed in Wisden. But he was not dead. Instead, he had left his home to begin a new life.

The Matter of Mr Lidderdale — Part Three

Joe Root in Context

The Matter of Mr Lidderdale — Part Two

Joe Root in Context

Part One: The Missing Bank Manager

Phil Mead scored 55,061 first-class runs and 153 centuries in a career lasting from 1905 until 1936. Yet he only played 17 times for England, despite a Test average of 49.37. The reasons are simple: he played for an unfashionable county and was easy neither on the eye nor on his team-mates.

Part One: The Missing Bank Manager

Phil Mead scored 55,061 first-class runs and 153 centuries in a career lasting from 1905 until 1936. Yet he only played 17 times for England, despite a Test average of 49.37. The reasons are simple: he played for an unfashionable county and was easy neither on the eye nor on his team-mates.