5 successful cricketers who braved illnesses and disabilities

#4 Bob Appleyard

Bob Appleyard (extreme left) was a renowned county Cricketer

Tuberculosis – An infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body.

Bob Appleyard was a Yorkshire-man who braved many perils of life and stood out as an established bowler in English county Cricket who also played 9 Tests for England. Bob was separated from his mother at the age of seven and lost his younger sister who was suffering from diphtheria six years later, followed by the death of his father, step-mother, and two sisters.

Sent to live with his stepmother's parents he never gave up hope on himself and made his career in cricket. But fate had other plans, soon after his successful season in 1951, he fell ill and was hospitalised for 11 months. He was struck with tuberculosis, and everyone thought that curtains were drawn to his promising career.

But as the phoenix rises from the ashes, Bob made a courageous comeback to Cricket in 1954 claiming 154 wickets and even made his Test debut against Pakistan where he took 5 wickets for 51 runs in the first innings.