Corey’s Fireworks Start the Year with a Bang

New Year’s Day turned into a nightmare for West Indies bowlers in Queenstown, as New Zealand’s Corey Anderson rewrote history with a jaw-dropping century off just 36 balls — smashing a 17-year-old record once held by Shahid Afridi.

New Year’s Day turned into a nightmare for West Indies bowlers in Queenstown, as New Zealand’s Corey Anderson rewrote history with a jaw-dropping century off just 36 balls — smashing a 17-year-old record once held by Shahid Afridi.

New Year’s Day turned into a nightmare for West Indies bowlers in Queenstown, as New Zealand’s Corey Anderson rewrote history with a jaw-dropping century off just 36 balls — smashing a 17-year-old record once held by Shahid Afridi.

Paul Adams, South Africa’s unorthodox left-arm spinner, was born. Known for an action famously described as “a frog in a blender”, Adams bamboozled England in a 1995–96 tour match and soon became South Africa’s youngest Test cricketer.

During England’s tour match against Queensland, David Gower and John Morris hired a Tiger Moth and buzzed the Carrara Oval, where Robin Smith had just scored a hundred. The England management didn’t appreciate the stunt, and the duo were fined.

South African batting prodigy Barry Richards made his Test debut against Australia in Cape Town. He scored 29 and 32, helping an impressive South African side secure a 170-run win. Despite a stellar start, Richards’ Test career lasted just seven weeks, finishing with an average of 72.57 from four matches.

Hanif Mohammad batted for an astonishing 970 minutes—over 16 hours—to save Pakistan’s first Test against the West Indies in Barbados. His 337 was the second-highest score in Test history at the time (now eighth).

A remarkable Test ended in Durban with scores of 311, 75, 99, and finally 336 for 5. Australia won after South Africa declined to enforce the follow-on, only to be bowled out for 99. Neil Harvey’s patient 151 not out on a turning pitch proved decisive in a match where only three players surpassed 50.

Cheteshwar Pujara was born today, destined to succeed Rahul Dravid as India’s No. 3 stalwart in Tests. After debuting against Australia in 2010, a knee injury sidelined him for much of 2011. He returned with centuries against New Zealand, England, and Australia, becoming the joint-fastest Indian to 1,000 Test runs.

On Australia Day in Adelaide, West Indies eked out a one-run victory over Australia, keeping alive their 13-year unbeaten streak in Test series. Chasing 186, Australia looked dead at 74 for 7, then 144 for 9, with debutant Justin Langer’s 54 the main resistance.

Eddie Barlow (201) and Graeme Pollock (175) put on a partnership of 341 for South Africa in Adelaide, a record for any wicket that stood for nearly 40 years. Barlow also chipped in with 3 for 6 in the second innings as South Africa won the fourth Test by ten wickets to square and ultimately draw the series.

Monty Noble, one of Australia’s greatest allrounders, was born today. A classical right-hand batter and offspinner, he captained Australia to successive Ashes wins in 1907-08 and 1909. He produced match-winning figures like 7-17 & 6-60 vs England at the MCG (1901-02) and 11-103 in the only Sheffield Test (1902).

Raman Subba Row, who played 13 Tests for England (1958–1961), was born today. He averaged 46.85, scored three centuries—including in his first and last Tests against Australia in 1961—and twice fell in the 90s. He also notched a triple century for Northants before retiring suddenly for business reasons.

Called up by Lord Harris to keep wickets for MCC on a tour to Australia, Hone became the first man to play for England without having represented a county. His first-class experience was limited to two prior matches for MCC before returning to Ireland.

After a nine-year gap, Pakistan and India met in a Test at Chennai. The match swung like a pendulum. Teenager Shahid Afridi smashed 141 to take Pakistan to 275 for 4, a lead of 263. But Venkatesh Prasad’s 5 wickets in 18 balls left India reeling at 81 for 5.