October 14th

On this day in 1882, the third greatest wicket-taker of all time was born in Gloucester.

Remarkably, Charlie Parker only played one Test, but he snared 3278 wickets for Gloucestershire -- only Wilfred Rhodes and Tich Freeman have taken more in first-class cricket. He was especially irresistible on sticky wickets, and his career was studded with some remarkable performances: 17 for 56 against Essex in 1925 and nine wickets in an innings on eight occasions. But his only Test appearance came in 1921, against Australia at Old Trafford. It seems his figures - 2 for 32 off 28 overs - were not good enough, though a falling-out with Plum Warner and his notorious outspokenness probably had more to do with it.

By all accounts a pretty good jazz musician as well....