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. Though he struggled overseas in 2014, Pujara regained form in Sri Lanka in 2015, carrying his bat with 145 in Colombo. His prolific 2016–17 included three centuries in consecutive Tests. In March 2017, he scored a double-hundred against Australia in Ranchi, facing 525 balls—the most by an Indian in a Test innings. Pujara also starred in India’s historic series wins in Australia in 2018–19 and 2020–21.

Mark Waugh made his Test debut for Australia in the fourth Test against England at Adelaide, replacing his twin brother Steve, who had been dropped. Waugh marked the occasion with a sublime century. Wisden described it as “so sublime that sages battled to recall a better start to a Test career.” England made a valiant chase of 472, with Graham Gooch and Michael Atherton putting on 203 for the first wicket, but the match ended in a draw.

In the third Test at Kingsmead, Hugh Tayfield bowled an incredible 137 consecutive dot balls during England’s first innings against South Africa, a record that still stands for the most consecutive deliveries without conceding a run.

Another member of a cricketing dynasty, Surinder Amarnath, made a splash on debut with 124 against New Zealand in Auckland. Son of Lala Amarnath and brother of Mohinder, he helped India dominate the match, with spin duo Bhagwath Chandrasekhar and Erapalli Prasanna sharing 19 wickets on a pitch supposedly favoring seamers. India won by eight wickets.

Richie Benaud debuted for Australia in Sydney against the West Indies. He scored 3 and 19 and took 1 for 14, dismissing Alf Valentine. Australia won comfortably by 202 runs, sealing a 4–1 series victory. Despite the modest debut, Benaud would go on to become one of cricket’s greatest leg-spinners and a legendary captain.

England stretched their overseas winning streak to five Tests with a 2–0 series win over Sri Lanka in Galle. Trailing by 42 at 339 for 9 in the first innings, England rallied with their last-wicket pair and then bowled Sri Lanka out for 126. Spinners Dom Bess and Jack Leach dominated, finishing the series with 22 wickets in the two Tests, leaving Lasith Embuldeniya helpless despite his ten-wicket effort.

Dave Nourse, the Grand Old Man of South African cricket, was born in Croydon, England. Migrating to South Africa at 17, he played 45 consecutive Tests, scoring one century (111 vs Australia in Johannesburg in 1921–22) and 15 fifties. A dogged left-handed batsman and swing bowler, he played first-class cricket until 57, earning his nickname. His son, Dudley Nourse, also played 34 Tests for South Africa.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape won their third SA20 title in four seasons, defeating Pretoria Capitals by six wickets. Dewald Brevis scored a blazing 101 off 56 balls, but Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs guided the chase with 60s. Quinton de Kock, the tournament’s top performer, finished with 390 runs, including four fifties.

Eighteen-year-old Wasim Akram made his Test debut for Pakistan in the second Test against New Zealand in Auckland. Despite taking 2 for 105 and scoring no runs, Akram quickly established himself, taking ten wickets in the next Test in Dunedin, beginning a career that would see him become one of the game’s greatest fast bowlers.

India’s lower order rescued a thrilling ODI tie in Auckland. Chasing 131 with four wickets in hand and nine down, Ravindra Jadeja held his nerve. With 18 needed off the last over, he hit two fours, a six, and ran two from wides but managed only a single off the final ball, narrowly missing a remarkable win.

Perth Scorchers secured their sixth BBL title in 15 years, defeating Sydney Sixers in a low-scoring final. Put in to bat, Sixers’ top order managed just 24 each. Scorchers’ openers blasted 80 in nine overs, while David Payne (3 for 18) and Jhye Richardson (3 wickets) kept Sixers to 132, securing an easy win.

Adam Gilchrist surpassed Mark Boucher’s world record of 413 Test dismissals in the Adelaide Test. Gilchrist retired the next day with 416 dismissals, though Boucher reclaimed the record a month later.

South African allrounder Denys Morkel was born today. A fast-medium bowler and elegant driver, he excelled on South Africa’s 1929 England tour with 321 runs and 14 wickets in five Tests. Morkel later moved to England and had a successful career in the motor trade.

West Indies opener Lendl Simmons, nephew of Phil Simmons, was born today. He debuted internationally in 2006, later starred in the 2009 World T20, and hit a memorable 82* in the 2016 semi-final. He focused on shorter formats after quitting Tests in 2014.

On this day in 1929, Don Bradman scored 340* for New South Wales against Victoria, hitting 38 fours, though NSW failed to win. In 1932, Bradman struck again, scoring 167 in the second innings to secure victory over Victoria, also taking the last wicket to finish the match.