May 16 down the years
The IPL's can of worms
Indian cricketers get arrested
Ajit Chandila, Sreesanth and Ankeet Chavan were arrested by Delhi police • BCCI
2013
The IPL had been hit by controversy before, but just as the sixth season came to a close, it got its biggest jolt when three Rajasthan Royals bowlers - Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila - were arrested by the Delhi police for allegedly fulfilling promises made to bookmakers. A week later, Gurunath Meyiappan, Chennai Super Kings' team principal and the son-in-law of BCCI president N Srinivasan, was arrested on charges of cheating, forgery and fraud. Pressure mounted on Srinivasan to hand in his resignation from the BCCI but he refused, even as the board secretary, treasurer and the IPL chairman handed in theirs. As a compromise, Srinivasan then agreed to step aside temporarily. The board set up an inquiry committee to look into the mess, but even before their investigations began, the Delhi police announced that the owner of the Rajasthan franchise, Raj Kundra, had confessed to betting on IPL matches.
The IPL had been hit by controversy before, but just as the sixth season came to a close, it got its biggest jolt when three Rajasthan Royals bowlers - Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila - were arrested by the Delhi police for allegedly fulfilling promises made to bookmakers. A week later, Gurunath Meyiappan, Chennai Super Kings' team principal and the son-in-law of BCCI president N Srinivasan, was arrested on charges of cheating, forgery and fraud. Pressure mounted on Srinivasan to hand in his resignation from the BCCI but he refused, even as the board secretary, treasurer and the IPL chairman handed in theirs. As a compromise, Srinivasan then agreed to step aside temporarily. The board set up an inquiry committee to look into the mess, but even before their investigations began, the Delhi police announced that the owner of the Rajasthan franchise, Raj Kundra, had confessed to betting on IPL matches.
1956
Jim Laker took all ten wickets for Surrey in a tour match against the Australians, a feat he would famously repeat in the Old Trafford Test later that summer. Here Laker took 10 for 88 and his spin partner Tony Lock 0 for 100 on a turner so raging that Ray Lindwall bowled only two out of 133 overs in Surrey's first innings. Ten weeks later Laker took 10 for 53 in the second innings of the fourth Test, to make it 19 for 90 in that match. Poor Lock was again the bridesmaid, with 1 for 116. Here, though, he at least cleaned up in the second innings, taking seven wickets to Laker's two. Lock himself also took all ten that summer, for Surrey against Kent at Blackheath, and 16 in the match. Laker wasn't playing, mind you.
Jim Laker took all ten wickets for Surrey in a tour match against the Australians, a feat he would famously repeat in the Old Trafford Test later that summer. Here Laker took 10 for 88 and his spin partner Tony Lock 0 for 100 on a turner so raging that Ray Lindwall bowled only two out of 133 overs in Surrey's first innings. Ten weeks later Laker took 10 for 53 in the second innings of the fourth Test, to make it 19 for 90 in that match. Poor Lock was again the bridesmaid, with 1 for 116. Here, though, he at least cleaned up in the second innings, taking seven wickets to Laker's two. Lock himself also took all ten that summer, for Surrey against Kent at Blackheath, and 16 in the match. Laker wasn't playing, mind you.
2010
England men's first global tournament win - and it came against Australia. England began the World T20 with a loss against hosts West Indies and a no-result against Ireland, but won their next four games to enter the final in Barbados, where it took them just 17 overs to chase 148. Ryan Sidebottom took 2 for 26 and Craig Kieswetter hit 63 off 49 balls.
England men's first global tournament win - and it came against Australia. England began the World T20 with a loss against hosts West Indies and a no-result against Ireland, but won their next four games to enter the final in Barbados, where it took them just 17 overs to chase 148. Ryan Sidebottom took 2 for 26 and Craig Kieswetter hit 63 off 49 balls.
1953
More remarkable events at The Oval where Surrey bowled out Warwickshire for 45 and 52 to win by an innings and 49 runs - and all inside a day, and one which started late because of overnight rain. Alec Bedser took 8 for 18 and 4 for 17, Laker a hat-trick, and in all, ten Warwickshire batters recorded ducks. The Warwickshire innings lasted 75 minutes and 70 minutes.
More remarkable events at The Oval where Surrey bowled out Warwickshire for 45 and 52 to win by an innings and 49 runs - and all inside a day, and one which started late because of overnight rain. Alec Bedser took 8 for 18 and 4 for 17, Laker a hat-trick, and in all, ten Warwickshire batters recorded ducks. The Warwickshire innings lasted 75 minutes and 70 minutes.
1906
Birth of the Australian fast bowler Ernie McCormick, who played 12 Tests just before the Second World War. At his best McCormick was genuinely quick, but he was constantly plagued by back trouble. Like Shane Warne, he took a wicket with his first ball in Ashes Tests: Stan Worthington, caught behind off the first delivery of the 1936-37 Brisbane Test, and in the same match he inflicted Wally Hammond's first Ashes duck. In his opening match in England, at Worcester in 1938, McCormick was no-balled for overstepping no fewer than 35 times, 19 of them in his first three overs. He died in Tweed Heads, New South Wales, in 1991.
Birth of the Australian fast bowler Ernie McCormick, who played 12 Tests just before the Second World War. At his best McCormick was genuinely quick, but he was constantly plagued by back trouble. Like Shane Warne, he took a wicket with his first ball in Ashes Tests: Stan Worthington, caught behind off the first delivery of the 1936-37 Brisbane Test, and in the same match he inflicted Wally Hammond's first Ashes duck. In his opening match in England, at Worcester in 1938, McCormick was no-balled for overstepping no fewer than 35 times, 19 of them in his first three overs. He died in Tweed Heads, New South Wales, in 1991.
1938
Don Bradman continued his amazing start to Australia's England tour with a massive 278 against MCC at Lord's. It came in only 349 minutes and included 35 fours and a six. His run of scores prior to the Test series were: 258, 58, 137, 278, 2, 143, 145*, 5, 30*. He didn't do too badly when the real action started either. Bradman cracked 434 runs at an average of 108 in the Tests.
Don Bradman continued his amazing start to Australia's England tour with a massive 278 against MCC at Lord's. It came in only 349 minutes and included 35 fours and a six. His run of scores prior to the Test series were: 258, 58, 137, 278, 2, 143, 145*, 5, 30*. He didn't do too badly when the real action started either. Bradman cracked 434 runs at an average of 108 in the Tests.
1972
When left-arm spinner Matthew Hart, who was born today, made his New Zealand debut as a 21-year-old against Pakistan in Wellington in 1993-94, he was talked up as the next big thing. As it turned out, that was Daniel Vettori, and Hart's 12-Test career was a disappointment. He did play one match-winning hand, however, when he took eight South African wickets in Johannesburg in 1994-95. But too often Hart was anodyne: his strike rate was a wicket every 106 balls.
When left-arm spinner Matthew Hart, who was born today, made his New Zealand debut as a 21-year-old against Pakistan in Wellington in 1993-94, he was talked up as the next big thing. As it turned out, that was Daniel Vettori, and Hart's 12-Test career was a disappointment. He did play one match-winning hand, however, when he took eight South African wickets in Johannesburg in 1994-95. But too often Hart was anodyne: his strike rate was a wicket every 106 balls.
1982
Jamaican left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, born today, made his one-day debut in 2008. He took two wickets in the two games he got against Australia, and was picked for the series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. Miller got his chance in Tests when most of the senior players boycotted the home series against Bangladesh in 2009, but he went wicketless in the one match he played. He went on to play the Champions Trophy, where he scored his maiden half-century, against Pakistan. Miller was picked for the 2011 World Cup but he went wicketless in the three games he played in the tournament.
Jamaican left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, born today, made his one-day debut in 2008. He took two wickets in the two games he got against Australia, and was picked for the series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. Miller got his chance in Tests when most of the senior players boycotted the home series against Bangladesh in 2009, but he went wicketless in the one match he played. He went on to play the Champions Trophy, where he scored his maiden half-century, against Pakistan. Miller was picked for the 2011 World Cup but he went wicketless in the three games he played in the tournament.
Other birthdays
1914 Joy Liebert (England)
1962 Gary Crocker (Zimbabwe)
1975 Niroshan Bandaratilleke (Sri Lanka)
1976 Dirk Nannes (Australia)
1914 Joy Liebert (England)
1962 Gary Crocker (Zimbabwe)
1975 Niroshan Bandaratilleke (Sri Lanka)
1976 Dirk Nannes (Australia)