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Johnny Douglas was a dour batsman and a medium-pace bowler who captained England to the Ashes in 1911-12. Three years earlier, he had won Olympic gold—though cover drives and yorkers had played no part in the accomplishment of that particular feat. Douglas ascended the podium for using his fists—a practice frowned upon in cricket, unless you’re a turbaned spinner riled by a mouthy Kerala fast bowler—as a middleweight. World Cup fever: Will this kind of audience frenzy ever be an Olympics spectacle? (Photo by: Rajesh Jantilal/AFP)By then, cricket had already ceased to be a part of the Olympic movement, following an ill-conceived attempt in Paris in 1900. When Holland and Belgium pulled out, it left only England and France in the fray. Even then, it’s doubtful if those that played knew what was at stake. In those days, the... [read full story]
