Graeme Smith, the first player to captain in 100 Test matches, was born. After South Africa’s disastrous 2003 World Cup, selectors handed the reins to the inexperienced 22-year-old, making him the youngest Test captain in history. Smith quickly announced himself with back-to-back double centuries in England.
While defeats were inevitable during a rebuilding phase, Smith kept piling on runs at the top.
New Zealand’s greatest-ever cricketer took his first steps in Test cricket. Sir Richard Hadlee’s debut against Pakistan in Wellington was far from glamorous—he returned figures of 2 for 112, and after 17 Tests his average sat at an unremarkable 35.
Bangladesh allrounder Mahmudullah was born on this day. He played a key role in Bangladesh’s first overseas victory when he took eight wickets against a strike-hit West Indies cricket team side in Kingstown in 2009.
The International Cricket Council handed heavy bans to three Pakistan cricketers — Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir, and Mohammad Asif — after they were found guilty of spot-fixing during the 2010 Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Legendary fast bowler Fred Trueman was born on this day. Widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers England has ever produced, Trueman was known for his pace, rhythm, and fiery personality.
This was a day that Anil Kumble will never forget. Playing against Pakistan national cricket team in Delhi, he produced one of the greatest bowling performances in Test history by taking all ten wickets in an innings.
One of cricket’s most elegant batters, Mohammad Azharuddin, was born on this day. At his best, Azharuddin was a joy to watch, especially with his trademark wristy flicks through midwicket and stylish drives through the off side.
One of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, Glenn McGrath, was born on this day. Known for his incredible accuracy, McGrath mastered the famous “corridor of uncertainty,” consistently troubling batters with relentless line and length.
The 2003 World Cup gave cricket one of its most powerful political statements. Henry Olonga and Andy Flower took the field wearing black armbands to mourn what they called the “death of democracy” under Robert Mugabe’s regime.
One of Australia’s finest openers, Bill Lawry, was born on this day. Calm and immovable at the crease, he was the complete opposite of the loud, animated commentator he later became. As a batter, Lawry relied on immense patience and concentration — he even carried his bat twice in Test cricket.
Gundappa Viswanath was born on this day — a cricketer admired as much for his grace as for his runs. Known for his lightning wrists and elegant strokeplay, Viswanath scored more than 6000 runs in 91 Tests at an average of 41.
Pure Boy’s Own drama at Brisbane during the Bodyline series. Eddie Paynter was laid up in hospital with acute tonsillitis when he heard on the radio that England were in deep trouble in the fourth Test. With the Ashes on the line, he jumped into a taxi — still in his pyjamas — and rushed to the ground.
There was little romance for South Africa in Port Elizabeth. Bowled out for just 30 by England, they recorded their lowest-ever Test total — and the third-lowest in the game’s history. The chief architect of the destruction was George Lohmann. After taking 7 for 38 in the first innings, he produced an astonishing 8 for 7 in the second.
The fifth Test at the MCG brought the curtain down on what many still regard as the greatest Test series ever played. Australia needed 258 to beat West Indies and clinch the series 2-1. At 154 for 2, the chase seemed straightforward, but Frank Worrell and Alf Valentine inspired a fightback that left the game hanging in the balance at 236 for 6.
Kingsmead witnessed one of the greatest Test finishes of all time as Sri Lanka stunned South Africa by one wicket. Chasing 304, Sri Lanka were staring at defeat when Kusal Perera and Vishwa Fernando came together with 78 still required and only one wicket in hand.
Born today, AB de Villiers was a natural sportsman whose talents could have spanned tennis, golf, rugby, or cricket. Cricket won, and by 21 he was already hailed as “the future” of South African cricket. His career highlights included a double-century against India in 2008, match-winning knocks of 174 at Headingley and 106* in Perth, and a record-breaking 278* against Pakistan in 2010.
In the first ODI at Sabina Park, England’s Mike Gatting, wearing a helmet with no visor, was struck on the bridge of his nose by a short ball from Malcolm Marshall. The ball trickled onto the stumps, bowling him. Marshall later found a piece of bone embedded in the ball. England never recovered, with Tim Robinson and David Gower failing to score, as West Indies eased to a six-wicket win with 13 balls to spare.
England allrounder Ian Botham became the first player in Test history to score a century and take ten wickets in the same match during the Golden Jubilee Test against India in Bombay. Botham scored 114 (the only fifty in the match) and added 171 for the sixth wicket with Bob Taylor, while taking 6 for 58 and 7 for 48. Taylor also set a record with ten catches (later surpassed by Jack Russell, AB de Villiers, and Rishabh Pant).
Brendon McCullum ended his international career in Christchurch with a record-breaking fastest Test hundred, reaching 100 in 54 balls—two quicker than the previous holders, Viv Richards and Misbah-ul-Haq. Coming in at 32 for 3, he hit his second ball for four and smashed 21 runs off Mitchell Marsh in an over before lunch. Despite McCullum’s 370, centuries from Joe Burns and Steven Smith gave Australia the series-winning lead.
A heavyweight clash at Sabina Park saw West Indies’ Courtney Walsh target England captain Mike Atherton early in the series. Atherton resisted a fearsome spell before being caught at short leg for 28, drawing comparisons to Allan Donald’s relentless assault at Trent Bridge in 1998. Walsh then unleashed another brutal spell the next day, this time on Devon Malcolm.
The 1992 World Cup opened in Auckland with a classic upset. Co-hosts New Zealand, led by a brilliant century from eventual Man-of-the-Tournament Martin Crowe (100+), set 248/6. Offspinner Dipak Patel stunned Australia by opening the bowling and completing ten economical overs for 36.
At the Wanderers, Adam Gilchrist smashed the fastest Test double-century at the time, reaching 200 off just 212 balls against South Africa. He peppered 19 fours en route and even cheekily aimed a scoop at an advertising hoarding promising a bar of gold when on 169.
In Gwalior, Tendulkar became the first man to score a double-century in ODIs, reaching 200* off just 147 balls against South Africa. He cruised from 191 in the 45th over to the milestone with minimal strike late on. India posted another 400+ total and won by 153 runs.
Sir Donald Bradman passed away at 92, taking with him an aura unmatched in sport. His Test average of 99.94 is the headline, but the numbers beneath it are just as staggering: a Sheffield Shield average of 110, a Test average of 201 against South Africa, six first-class triple-centuries (plus a 299* in Tests), and a double-century every 6.66 innings.
Australia clinched their sixth Women’s T20 World Cup — and third in a row — with a 19-run win over South Africa in Cape Town. Beth Mooney starred with an unbeaten 74, guiding Australia to 156. The bowlers then strangled the chase, conceding just 22 runs in the powerplay. Laura Wolvaardt fought with 61, sharing a half-century stand with Chloe Tryon, but Australia’s control never loosened.
One of the greatest batters to play fewer than 25 Tests, Pollock’s career was curtailed by South Africa’s isolation. In 23 Tests he averaged over 60, dazzling with his flowing left-handed strokeplay and immense power. His 125 at Trent Bridge in 1965 — scoring 125 of the 160 runs made while he was at the crease — remains iconic.
New Zealand national cricket team became only the fourth side in Test history to win after following on — and just the second to win by a single run — when they stunned England cricket team in Wellington to level the series 1-1.
Playing their first-ever World Cup, Kenya national cricket team produced one of the tournament’s greatest shocks by bowling West Indies cricket team out for just 93 in Pune.