December 29 down the years
Well bowled, Saqi
Births of Saqlain Mushtaq, David Boon and Travis Head
Saqlain Mushtaq took 208 wickets at 29.83 in 49 Tests • AFP
1976
Birth of one of the few offspinners to make it go both ways. By the end of 2002, Saqlain Mushtaq had taken over 200 wickets in both Tests and ODIs for Pakistan, two one-day hat-tricks against Zimbabwe (one in the 1999 World Cup), and helped Surrey to win the County Championship in 1999 and 2000. Saqlain often did end-over duties with aplomb for Pakistan, and still maintained an ODI bowling average of 21.78, a figure unmatched by the likes of Murali, Warne and Kumble. However, his appearances for his country became sporadic after those early-2000s highs, and his last international match was in April 2004. He continued playing county cricket and after retirement worked as a spin-bowling consultant with the ECB.
Birth of one of the few offspinners to make it go both ways. By the end of 2002, Saqlain Mushtaq had taken over 200 wickets in both Tests and ODIs for Pakistan, two one-day hat-tricks against Zimbabwe (one in the 1999 World Cup), and helped Surrey to win the County Championship in 1999 and 2000. Saqlain often did end-over duties with aplomb for Pakistan, and still maintained an ODI bowling average of 21.78, a figure unmatched by the likes of Murali, Warne and Kumble. However, his appearances for his country became sporadic after those early-2000s highs, and his last international match was in April 2004. He continued playing county cricket and after retirement worked as a spin-bowling consultant with the ECB.
2010
England retained the Ashes in Australia. Since it had last happened 24 years before then, it might have been a bit hard to comprehend at the time. After being walloped in Perth, England bounced back magnificently in Melbourne, bowling Australia out for 98 in the first innings (James Anderson and Chris Tremlett took four each). Then they piled on 513 - Jonathan Trott was unbeaten on 168 - and dismissed Australia to win with a day to spare. The innings-and-157-run margin was one of the heaviest inflicted on Australia.
England retained the Ashes in Australia. Since it had last happened 24 years before then, it might have been a bit hard to comprehend at the time. After being walloped in Perth, England bounced back magnificently in Melbourne, bowling Australia out for 98 in the first innings (James Anderson and Chris Tremlett took four each). Then they piled on 513 - Jonathan Trott was unbeaten on 168 - and dismissed Australia to win with a day to spare. The innings-and-157-run margin was one of the heaviest inflicted on Australia.
1993
Birth of the first man to score hundreds in two ICC tournament finals - in the same year. In 2023, Travis Head led Australia to title wins, both against India: first in the World Test Championship final, at The Oval in June, and five months later, having just recovered from a broken hand, he took them to a record-extending sixth ODI World Cup victory with a magnificent 137 in Ahmedabad. An aggressive left-hand batter, Head first established himself in Australia's white-ball sides before making his Test debut in 2018, scoring a half-century against Pakistan in Dubai. A few months later he got his maiden Test hundred, a big one, at home against Sri Lanka. Head imposed himself on England in the 2021-22 Ashes down under, scoring a career-changing 152 off 148 balls in the opening Test in Brisbane, and hitting another hundred in Hobart to finish as the Player of the Series in the 4-0 whitewash. His next home summer was outstanding too - he filled his boots against West Indies before making a brilliant, counterattacking 92 on a spiteful Gabba pitch against South Africa's strong pace attack, although he struggled on the subcontinent earlier in 2022.
Birth of the first man to score hundreds in two ICC tournament finals - in the same year. In 2023, Travis Head led Australia to title wins, both against India: first in the World Test Championship final, at The Oval in June, and five months later, having just recovered from a broken hand, he took them to a record-extending sixth ODI World Cup victory with a magnificent 137 in Ahmedabad. An aggressive left-hand batter, Head first established himself in Australia's white-ball sides before making his Test debut in 2018, scoring a half-century against Pakistan in Dubai. A few months later he got his maiden Test hundred, a big one, at home against Sri Lanka. Head imposed himself on England in the 2021-22 Ashes down under, scoring a career-changing 152 off 148 balls in the opening Test in Brisbane, and hitting another hundred in Hobart to finish as the Player of the Series in the 4-0 whitewash. His next home summer was outstanding too - he filled his boots against West Indies before making a brilliant, counterattacking 92 on a spiteful Gabba pitch against South Africa's strong pace attack, although he struggled on the subcontinent earlier in 2022.
2010
If it's an India win in the early 2010s, VVS Laxman must have had something to do with it. After losing by an innings in Centurion, India levelled the series in Durban, mostly owing to a fighting 96 from him. Dale Steyn took six in India's first-innings 205 but Zaheer Khan, returning from injury, and Harbhajan Singh gave their side a 74-run advantage going into the second. When Harbhajan got Dale Steyn to edge one behind and Dhoni missed it, Rahul Dravid took his 200th catch in Tests. A collapse looked imminent when India ended day two on 92 for 4. But Laxman added 48 with MS Dhoni and another 70 with Zaheer to set South Africa a target of 303. Sreesanth and Zaheer took three each to wrap up the match with a day to spare.
If it's an India win in the early 2010s, VVS Laxman must have had something to do with it. After losing by an innings in Centurion, India levelled the series in Durban, mostly owing to a fighting 96 from him. Dale Steyn took six in India's first-innings 205 but Zaheer Khan, returning from injury, and Harbhajan Singh gave their side a 74-run advantage going into the second. When Harbhajan got Dale Steyn to edge one behind and Dhoni missed it, Rahul Dravid took his 200th catch in Tests. A collapse looked imminent when India ended day two on 92 for 4. But Laxman added 48 with MS Dhoni and another 70 with Zaheer to set South Africa a target of 303. Sreesanth and Zaheer took three each to wrap up the match with a day to spare.
2020
India bounced back from being bowled out for 36 in Adelaide to winning by eight wickets in Melbourne. And they did it without Virat Kohli (away on paternity leave), Mohammed Shami (broken hand) and, for the most part, Umesh Yadav, who was off the field on days three and four with a calf strain. Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane, opener Shubman Gill and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, the last two on debut, all came good. Siraj supported Jasprit Bumrah ably to dismiss Australia for 195 and 200, Gill chipped in with 45 and also steered the fourth-innings chase, and Rahane himself made a standout hundred. It was India's fourth Test win at the MCG, making it their most successful venue overseas.
India bounced back from being bowled out for 36 in Adelaide to winning by eight wickets in Melbourne. And they did it without Virat Kohli (away on paternity leave), Mohammed Shami (broken hand) and, for the most part, Umesh Yadav, who was off the field on days three and four with a calf strain. Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane, opener Shubman Gill and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, the last two on debut, all came good. Siraj supported Jasprit Bumrah ably to dismiss Australia for 195 and 200, Gill chipped in with 45 and also steered the fourth-innings chase, and Rahane himself made a standout hundred. It was India's fourth Test win at the MCG, making it their most successful venue overseas.
1978
After defeats in the first two Tests against England, Australia gave a first Test cap to Allan Robert Border - and never regretted it. He made a second-innings duck in Melbourne, but Australia, shorn of their Packer players, won the match, their only success in a difficult series. If Border's early Tests as captain were tough, so was he: he eventually made them into a force, laying the foundations for the successes of Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh. He also set Test records for most runs, catches and appearances, and for most consecutive Tests played.
After defeats in the first two Tests against England, Australia gave a first Test cap to Allan Robert Border - and never regretted it. He made a second-innings duck in Melbourne, but Australia, shorn of their Packer players, won the match, their only success in a difficult series. If Border's early Tests as captain were tough, so was he: he eventually made them into a force, laying the foundations for the successes of Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh. He also set Test records for most runs, catches and appearances, and for most consecutive Tests played.
2019
New Zealand's first Test in Melbourne in 32 years was an altogether forgettable one. Unlike the draw in 1987-88, which they nearly won, this one ended in a 247-run defeat. For Australia, Travis Head made a hundred and they piled up 467 in the first innings. New Zealand couldn't even manage a third of it. In the second innings, they resisted a bit more, with opener Tom Blundell making a fine hundred, but the match still finished with a day to spare. Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, the leading wicket-takers of 2019, shared nine wickets between them. Third on that list was New Zealand's Neil Wagner, who took seven in this Test.
New Zealand's first Test in Melbourne in 32 years was an altogether forgettable one. Unlike the draw in 1987-88, which they nearly won, this one ended in a 247-run defeat. For Australia, Travis Head made a hundred and they piled up 467 in the first innings. New Zealand couldn't even manage a third of it. In the second innings, they resisted a bit more, with opener Tom Blundell making a fine hundred, but the match still finished with a day to spare. Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, the leading wicket-takers of 2019, shared nine wickets between them. Third on that list was New Zealand's Neil Wagner, who took seven in this Test.
1960
An Australian cult figure is born. David Boon's Test runs and hundreds speak for themselves. Among many highlights were his roles in four Ashes series wins, particularly the 1989 triumph and his honour in hitting the series-winning runs; his flawless unbeaten 184 in the Bicentenary Test of 1988; and his Man-of-the-Match-winning effort in the 1987 World Cup final. More importantly, he broke Rod Marsh's record by downing 53 cans of lager on the flight to England in 1989. Allegedly.
An Australian cult figure is born. David Boon's Test runs and hundreds speak for themselves. Among many highlights were his roles in four Ashes series wins, particularly the 1989 triumph and his honour in hitting the series-winning runs; his flawless unbeaten 184 in the Bicentenary Test of 1988; and his Man-of-the-Match-winning effort in the 1987 World Cup final. More importantly, he broke Rod Marsh's record by downing 53 cans of lager on the flight to England in 1989. Allegedly.
2022
Australia beat South Africa in a Test series at home for the first time since 2005. And it was a pummelling - they won the Melbourne Test by an innings on this day. They wrapped up the first Test, in Brisbane, inside two days, making it the second-shortest Test played in Australia. In Melbourne, David Warner became only the second man to score a double-century in his 100th Test; keeper-batter Alex Carey got his maiden Test hundred; and allrounder Cameron Green took his first Test five-for. The final Test, ;in Sydney, was a rain-affected draw, but even there the Australians were unstoppable. Usman Khawaja, Warner's opening partner, made 195 not out, Steven Smith scored 104, and Travis Head made his third half-century of the series.
Australia beat South Africa in a Test series at home for the first time since 2005. And it was a pummelling - they won the Melbourne Test by an innings on this day. They wrapped up the first Test, in Brisbane, inside two days, making it the second-shortest Test played in Australia. In Melbourne, David Warner became only the second man to score a double-century in his 100th Test; keeper-batter Alex Carey got his maiden Test hundred; and allrounder Cameron Green took his first Test five-for. The final Test, ;in Sydney, was a rain-affected draw, but even there the Australians were unstoppable. Usman Khawaja, Warner's opening partner, made 195 not out, Steven Smith scored 104, and Travis Head made his third half-century of the series.
2019
When South Africa took on England in the first match of their four-game home series, on Boxing Day, they hadn't won a Test in nearly a year, had made a sorry exit from the World Cup, and were reeling from various administrative sagas behind the scenes. Mark Boucher had just been appointed head coach, but the team's inexperience was still a worry. So a big win in Centurion was just what they needed. Quinton de Kock's 95 prevented an ignominious first-innings total and then Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada combined to get South Africa a significant lead. In the fourth innings, Rabada and rookie quick Anrich Nortje teamed up to dismiss England for 268. But sadly, South Africa's fortunes in this match didn't carry over into the new year and they lost the series 3-1.
When South Africa took on England in the first match of their four-game home series, on Boxing Day, they hadn't won a Test in nearly a year, had made a sorry exit from the World Cup, and were reeling from various administrative sagas behind the scenes. Mark Boucher had just been appointed head coach, but the team's inexperience was still a worry. So a big win in Centurion was just what they needed. Quinton de Kock's 95 prevented an ignominious first-innings total and then Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada combined to get South Africa a significant lead. In the fourth innings, Rabada and rookie quick Anrich Nortje teamed up to dismiss England for 268. But sadly, South Africa's fortunes in this match didn't carry over into the new year and they lost the series 3-1.
1983
Australia's maligned captain in the 1978-79 Ashes series, Graham Yallop, did better today, making his highest Test score, a formidable 268 against Pakistan in Melbourne. His 203-run stand with Kim Hughes set up Australia's 555 - in response to Pakistan's 470 - and gave Australia a chance to push for a win. But half-centuries from Imran Khan and Zaheer Abbas steered Pakistan to a draw.
Australia's maligned captain in the 1978-79 Ashes series, Graham Yallop, did better today, making his highest Test score, a formidable 268 against Pakistan in Melbourne. His 203-run stand with Kim Hughes set up Australia's 555 - in response to Pakistan's 470 - and gave Australia a chance to push for a win. But half-centuries from Imran Khan and Zaheer Abbas steered Pakistan to a draw.
1994
In Melbourne, Australia grabbed a speedy 2-0 lead in the series as Shane Warne took the first hat-trick in an Ashes Test since 1903-04. He took six wickets in the first innings to give Australia a 67-run lead. England were set 388 to level the series, and at 91 for 6 they were nowhere in the picture when Warne came up to speed up the proceedings - Phil DeFreitas, Darren Gough and Devon Malcolm were his victims. Craig McDermott dismissed Phil Tufnell to end England's innings at 92 - which was their fifth-lowest total at the MCG.
In Melbourne, Australia grabbed a speedy 2-0 lead in the series as Shane Warne took the first hat-trick in an Ashes Test since 1903-04. He took six wickets in the first innings to give Australia a 67-run lead. England were set 388 to level the series, and at 91 for 6 they were nowhere in the picture when Warne came up to speed up the proceedings - Phil DeFreitas, Darren Gough and Devon Malcolm were his victims. Craig McDermott dismissed Phil Tufnell to end England's innings at 92 - which was their fifth-lowest total at the MCG.
1997
In the final of the Women's World Cup in Calcutta, tight bowling and a half-century by captain Belinda Clark helped Australia beat New Zealand by five wickets.
In the final of the Women's World Cup in Calcutta, tight bowling and a half-century by captain Belinda Clark helped Australia beat New Zealand by five wickets.
1983
Against a West Indies pace attack of Malcolm Marshall, Andy Roberts, Michael Holding and Winston Davis, Sunil Gavaskar scored an unbeaten 236 in Madras, which was the highest Test score for India until VVS Laxman's 281 against Australia in Calcutta in 2000-01.
Against a West Indies pace attack of Malcolm Marshall, Andy Roberts, Michael Holding and Winston Davis, Sunil Gavaskar scored an unbeaten 236 in Madras, which was the highest Test score for India until VVS Laxman's 281 against Australia in Calcutta in 2000-01.
1972
The Test debut of another Australian legend, a contemporary of Border's - though not an occasion he would want to remember. When he took 0 for 110 against Pakistan in Melbourne, no one (apparently not even the man himself) knew that Jeff Thomson was carrying a broken toe. He wasn't picked again until an unsuspecting England arrived two years later, when his partnership with Dennis Lillee became the stuff of batters' nightmares. Max Walker, who made his debut in the same Pakistan match, gave them wholehearted support.
The Test debut of another Australian legend, a contemporary of Border's - though not an occasion he would want to remember. When he took 0 for 110 against Pakistan in Melbourne, no one (apparently not even the man himself) knew that Jeff Thomson was carrying a broken toe. He wasn't picked again until an unsuspecting England arrived two years later, when his partnership with Dennis Lillee became the stuff of batters' nightmares. Max Walker, who made his debut in the same Pakistan match, gave them wholehearted support.
1949
One of India's best wicketkeepers was born. Sometimes bald, often smiling, Syed Kirmani had a subtle touch with the gloves: 38 of his 198 Test dismissals were stumpings. Good enough with the bat to score Test centuries against Australia and England, he was also the first keeper to make five dismissals in a World Cup match, against Zimbabwe in Leicester in 1983, before helping India to their surprise win over West Indies in the final.
One of India's best wicketkeepers was born. Sometimes bald, often smiling, Syed Kirmani had a subtle touch with the gloves: 38 of his 198 Test dismissals were stumpings. Good enough with the bat to score Test centuries against Australia and England, he was also the first keeper to make five dismissals in a World Cup match, against Zimbabwe in Leicester in 1983, before helping India to their surprise win over West Indies in the final.
1944
In contrast with AB and Thommo above, Rodney Redmond, who was born today, had a distinctly memorable first Test. Unfortunately it was also his last. After making 107 and 56 for New Zealand against Pakistan in Auckland in 1972-73, he couldn't get on with new contact lenses in England the following summer and faded out of contention.
In contrast with AB and Thommo above, Rodney Redmond, who was born today, had a distinctly memorable first Test. Unfortunately it was also his last. After making 107 and 56 for New Zealand against Pakistan in Auckland in 1972-73, he couldn't get on with new contact lenses in England the following summer and faded out of contention.
1974
One of Australia unluckiest batters is born. Brad Hodge made 409 runs in five matches in his first summer as a Test cricketer, in 2005-06, but didn't make it into the squad for the tour of South Africa that followed. He made a place for himself in the one-day side, with two nineties, and scored a hundred against Netherlands in the World Cup, but didn't get a bat in the next three matches and sat out the final. He finished with six Tests and an average of nearly 56, but remained a prolific run scorer in domestic cricket for a time.
One of Australia unluckiest batters is born. Brad Hodge made 409 runs in five matches in his first summer as a Test cricketer, in 2005-06, but didn't make it into the squad for the tour of South Africa that followed. He made a place for himself in the one-day side, with two nineties, and scored a hundred against Netherlands in the World Cup, but didn't get a bat in the next three matches and sat out the final. He finished with six Tests and an average of nearly 56, but remained a prolific run scorer in domestic cricket for a time.
1869
Medium-pacer Bill Howell, born today, made a sensational appearance on his first tour to England in 1899, when in the third match he dismissed the whole Surrey XI, to finish with figures of 23.2-14-28-10. He took only eight wickets in the Tests but finished the season with 117 wickets at 20.35. Howell was deadly against batters unaware that his simple-looking delivery imparted unexpected life from the pitch. He was also a handy batter, sometimes startling the bowlers and the crowd with tremendous hitting.
Medium-pacer Bill Howell, born today, made a sensational appearance on his first tour to England in 1899, when in the third match he dismissed the whole Surrey XI, to finish with figures of 23.2-14-28-10. He took only eight wickets in the Tests but finished the season with 117 wickets at 20.35. Howell was deadly against batters unaware that his simple-looking delivery imparted unexpected life from the pitch. He was also a handy batter, sometimes startling the bowlers and the crowd with tremendous hitting.
Other birthdays
1960 Dave Gilbert (Australia)
1964 Sally Moffat (Australia)
1965 Marguerite Burke (Ireland)
1974 Leon Romero (United States)
1974 Richard Johnson (England)
1960 Dave Gilbert (Australia)
1964 Sally Moffat (Australia)
1965 Marguerite Burke (Ireland)
1974 Leon Romero (United States)
1974 Richard Johnson (England)