December 30 down the years
Root for me
Geoff Miller pouches what Chris Tavaré spills
Joe Root: an all-time England great • Getty Images
1990
The birth of Joe Root, whose Test debut for England in Nagpur in 2012 was a 229-ball 73 that exemplified the qualities that had impressed coaches. His rise continued with a maiden Test hundred at his home ground, Headingley, against New Zealand, then an Ashes century at Lord's, having been promoted to open at the beginning of the 2013 series. He went without a Test hundred for more than a year but was back to his best in the 2014 summer, with a double-hundred at Lord's against Sri Lanka. His 134 in the first Test of the 2015 Ashes in Cardiff set the tone for England's domination in the series. The following year, he made 254 and 71 not out in England's win against Pakistan at Old Trafford, and four fifties and a hundred in the 4-0 series loss against India away. Root took over the England captaincy from Alastair Cook in 2017, and reeled off two hundreds and five half-centuries in his first two series in charge - both of which were won by England. A year later he led England to a historic 3-0 whitewash in Sri Lanka. In 2021, Root had his most prolific year with the bat, scoring 1708 Test runs - third best in a calendar year behind Mohammad Yousuf and Viv Richards - including double-hundreds in Sri Lanka and India - and a year later, he became one of the youngest batters to reach 10,000 Test runs. But his purple patch came during a demoralising run for England, and he stepped down from Test captaincy early in 2022 after a string of defeats.
The birth of Joe Root, whose Test debut for England in Nagpur in 2012 was a 229-ball 73 that exemplified the qualities that had impressed coaches. His rise continued with a maiden Test hundred at his home ground, Headingley, against New Zealand, then an Ashes century at Lord's, having been promoted to open at the beginning of the 2013 series. He went without a Test hundred for more than a year but was back to his best in the 2014 summer, with a double-hundred at Lord's against Sri Lanka. His 134 in the first Test of the 2015 Ashes in Cardiff set the tone for England's domination in the series. The following year, he made 254 and 71 not out in England's win against Pakistan at Old Trafford, and four fifties and a hundred in the 4-0 series loss against India away. Root took over the England captaincy from Alastair Cook in 2017, and reeled off two hundreds and five half-centuries in his first two series in charge - both of which were won by England. A year later he led England to a historic 3-0 whitewash in Sri Lanka. In 2021, Root had his most prolific year with the bat, scoring 1708 Test runs - third best in a calendar year behind Mohammad Yousuf and Viv Richards - including double-hundreds in Sri Lanka and India - and a year later, he became one of the youngest batters to reach 10,000 Test runs. But his purple patch came during a demoralising run for England, and he stepped down from Test captaincy early in 2022 after a string of defeats.
1982
A dramatic finish in Melbourne kept England's hopes alive in the series. By the time Australia's last pair of Allan Border and Jeff Thomson had put on 70, the Ashes seemed to be on their way back down under. But eventually Ian Botham found the edge of Thommo's bat, and though Chris Tavaré spilled the catch at slip, Geoff Miller pouched the rebound. A real Boy's Own ending had won the match by just three runs, equalling the smallest margin of victory in any Test at the time. Ultimately it didn't affect the destination of the urn: England had pulled back to 2-1 but couldn't square the series in the final Test.
A dramatic finish in Melbourne kept England's hopes alive in the series. By the time Australia's last pair of Allan Border and Jeff Thomson had put on 70, the Ashes seemed to be on their way back down under. But eventually Ian Botham found the edge of Thommo's bat, and though Chris Tavaré spilled the catch at slip, Geoff Miller pouched the rebound. A real Boy's Own ending had won the match by just three runs, equalling the smallest margin of victory in any Test at the time. Ultimately it didn't affect the destination of the urn: England had pulled back to 2-1 but couldn't square the series in the final Test.
2011
Sri Lanka's first Test win in South Africa ended a spell of a year and a half without a victory in the format - since Muthiah Muralidaran retired. After losing by an innings in Centurion, Sri Lanka arrived in Durban, where they put up 338 in the first innings, in the face of an inspired performance by debutant fast bowler Marchant de Lange, who took seven wickets. South Africa collapsed in their reply, to the unlikely left-arm pace-and-spin pair of Chanaka Welegedara and Rangana Herath, Kumar Sangakkara scored his first hundred in the country, and South Africa then fell in a heap again (Jacques Kallis got his first pair in Tests), losing by 208 runs.
Sri Lanka's first Test win in South Africa ended a spell of a year and a half without a victory in the format - since Muthiah Muralidaran retired. After losing by an innings in Centurion, Sri Lanka arrived in Durban, where they put up 338 in the first innings, in the face of an inspired performance by debutant fast bowler Marchant de Lange, who took seven wickets. South Africa collapsed in their reply, to the unlikely left-arm pace-and-spin pair of Chanaka Welegedara and Rangana Herath, Kumar Sangakkara scored his first hundred in the country, and South Africa then fell in a heap again (Jacques Kallis got his first pair in Tests), losing by 208 runs.
2018
A famous victory for India at the MCG, which gave them an unassailable series lead and helped them retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a Test remaining. Jasprit Bumrah's match figures of 9 for 86 (which included a career-best 6 for 33) were the best by an Indian fast bowler in Australia. Cheteshwar Pujara made his second hundred of the series and debutant opener Mayank Agarwal impressed with 76, but Bumrah, who teased out life from a seemingly dead pitch and varied his pace and lengths to expose Australia's brittle batting order, was the pivot.
A famous victory for India at the MCG, which gave them an unassailable series lead and helped them retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a Test remaining. Jasprit Bumrah's match figures of 9 for 86 (which included a career-best 6 for 33) were the best by an Indian fast bowler in Australia. Cheteshwar Pujara made his second hundred of the series and debutant opener Mayank Agarwal impressed with 76, but Bumrah, who teased out life from a seemingly dead pitch and varied his pace and lengths to expose Australia's brittle batting order, was the pivot.
2021
Another famous Indian victory. Their first Test win in Centurion - a first there for any Asian team - was a commanding one, with seamer Mohammed Shami taking eight wickets and KL Rahul making 123, the highest score by an Indian opener in South Africa. Shami and Jasprit Bumrah provided a masterclass in seam and swing bowling, dismissing South Africa for 197 and 191 inside four days. South Africa captain Dean Elgar frustrated India in the second innings, batting for over four hours for 77, but there was little resistance from the lower order after Bumrah trapped him leg-before early on day five.
Another famous Indian victory. Their first Test win in Centurion - a first there for any Asian team - was a commanding one, with seamer Mohammed Shami taking eight wickets and KL Rahul making 123, the highest score by an Indian opener in South Africa. Shami and Jasprit Bumrah provided a masterclass in seam and swing bowling, dismissing South Africa for 197 and 191 inside four days. South Africa captain Dean Elgar frustrated India in the second innings, batting for over four hours for 77, but there was little resistance from the lower order after Bumrah trapped him leg-before early on day five.
2014
A draw at the MCG helped Australia regain the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Having taken a 2-0 lead going into the Test, the hosts pretty much sealed the deal when they posted 530, aided by new captain Steven Smith's 192. They were stretched, though, by India's middle order: Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane hit centuries in a stand of 262. In spite of that resistance, India were left to chase 384 on the last day, but after some nervy moments they saved the game. Seeing them through was captain MS Dhoni, but when the players shook hands, few knew he was playing his last Test innings. He dropped the bombshell later, citing the strain of playing all formats as the reason, choosing to continue as a limited-overs player, with the World Cup less than two months away.
A draw at the MCG helped Australia regain the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Having taken a 2-0 lead going into the Test, the hosts pretty much sealed the deal when they posted 530, aided by new captain Steven Smith's 192. They were stretched, though, by India's middle order: Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane hit centuries in a stand of 262. In spite of that resistance, India were left to chase 384 on the last day, but after some nervy moments they saved the game. Seeing them through was captain MS Dhoni, but when the players shook hands, few knew he was playing his last Test innings. He dropped the bombshell later, citing the strain of playing all formats as the reason, choosing to continue as a limited-overs player, with the World Cup less than two months away.
2016
Pakistan became only the second team to lose by an innings after declaring, when Australia beat them in Melbourne. It was also the first instance of a double-century by a Pakistan batter (Azhar Ali here) ending in defeat for the team. And this despite 141 overs in the match being lost to rain: Australia galloped to 624 for 8 - the highest innings total by any team at the MCG - on the back of big hundreds from Steven Smith and David Warner after Pakistan declared on 443, and then Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon put the boot into Pakistan, who folded obligingly in a little over two sessions on day five.
Pakistan became only the second team to lose by an innings after declaring, when Australia beat them in Melbourne. It was also the first instance of a double-century by a Pakistan batter (Azhar Ali here) ending in defeat for the team. And this despite 141 overs in the match being lost to rain: Australia galloped to 624 for 8 - the highest innings total by any team at the MCG - on the back of big hundreds from Steven Smith and David Warner after Pakistan declared on 443, and then Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon put the boot into Pakistan, who folded obligingly in a little over two sessions on day five.
2020
After narrowly avoiding the follow-on, Pakistan nearly forced a draw with New Zealand in the Mount Maunganui Test, their Nos. 10 and 11 taking the game into the last five overs. Day five began with Pakistan needing 302 runs with seven wickets in hand. They lost a wicket in the first two overs but then Mohammad Rizwan joined Fawad Alam for 380 balls . When they were separated at 240 for 5 after tea, a draw looked a plausible outcome. Four wickets then fell in the space of 13 overs, after which the No. 10, Shaheen Afridi, held on for over an hour before Mitchell Santner prised him out. Tim Southee reached 300 career wickets in this Test, but the bowler who won hearts was fellow quick Neil Wagner, who insisted on bowling despite two broken toes.
After narrowly avoiding the follow-on, Pakistan nearly forced a draw with New Zealand in the Mount Maunganui Test, their Nos. 10 and 11 taking the game into the last five overs. Day five began with Pakistan needing 302 runs with seven wickets in hand. They lost a wicket in the first two overs but then Mohammad Rizwan joined Fawad Alam for 380 balls . When they were separated at 240 for 5 after tea, a draw looked a plausible outcome. Four wickets then fell in the space of 13 overs, after which the No. 10, Shaheen Afridi, held on for over an hour before Mitchell Santner prised him out. Tim Southee reached 300 career wickets in this Test, but the bowler who won hearts was fellow quick Neil Wagner, who insisted on bowling despite two broken toes.
1987
The last-wicket pair of Craig McDermott and Mike Whitney survived the last 29 balls to draw the final Test match against New Zealand and give Allan Border his first series win as captain at the eighth attempt.
The last-wicket pair of Craig McDermott and Mike Whitney survived the last 29 balls to draw the final Test match against New Zealand and give Allan Border his first series win as captain at the eighth attempt.
1913
Sydney Barnes completed figures of 8 for 56 and 9 for 103 in Johannesburg, the best Test return in a match until Jim Laker took 19 against Australia at Old Trafford in 1956, and still the second-best ever. Two years ago, on the same day, Barnes had the match in the bag on the first day at the MCG, when he took four wickets for one run in his first five overs. A devastating bowler even at 40, Barnes finished with 49 wickets in only four Tests in this his last series. Typically, he refused to play in the fifth Test because accommodation hadn't been provided for his wife. Arguably the greatest bowler of all time, and very much his own man.
Sydney Barnes completed figures of 8 for 56 and 9 for 103 in Johannesburg, the best Test return in a match until Jim Laker took 19 against Australia at Old Trafford in 1956, and still the second-best ever. Two years ago, on the same day, Barnes had the match in the bag on the first day at the MCG, when he took four wickets for one run in his first five overs. A devastating bowler even at 40, Barnes finished with 49 wickets in only four Tests in this his last series. Typically, he refused to play in the fifth Test because accommodation hadn't been provided for his wife. Arguably the greatest bowler of all time, and very much his own man.
2018
Trent Boult took six wickets for four runs in 15 balls, leading New Zealand to a 423-run victory - their biggest win margin (by runs) - over Sri Lanka in Christchurch. It was New Zealand's fourth consecutive Test series win, and it moved then up to No. 3 in the rankings. Sri Lanka might have fancied their chances when they dismissed New Zealand for 178 on the first morning, but Boult wiped them out for 104, after which Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls made big hundreds to set Sri Lanka a mammoth target of 660. They managed only 236.
Trent Boult took six wickets for four runs in 15 balls, leading New Zealand to a 423-run victory - their biggest win margin (by runs) - over Sri Lanka in Christchurch. It was New Zealand's fourth consecutive Test series win, and it moved then up to No. 3 in the rankings. Sri Lanka might have fancied their chances when they dismissed New Zealand for 178 on the first morning, but Boult wiped them out for 104, after which Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls made big hundreds to set Sri Lanka a mammoth target of 660. They managed only 236.
1932
That great Test rarity: a Donald duck. In Melbourne, facing his first ball of the infamous Bodyline series (he missed the opening Test because of a contractual row), Don Bradman dragged it onto his stumps. A stunned silence accompanied him back to the pavilion. It was the only Test wicket Bill Bowes ever took in Australia, but the one he and England wanted. Bradman hit a hundred in the second innings, as Australia achieved their only win of a traumatic series.
That great Test rarity: a Donald duck. In Melbourne, facing his first ball of the infamous Bodyline series (he missed the opening Test because of a contractual row), Don Bradman dragged it onto his stumps. A stunned silence accompanied him back to the pavilion. It was the only Test wicket Bill Bowes ever took in Australia, but the one he and England wanted. Bradman hit a hundred in the second innings, as Australia achieved their only win of a traumatic series.
2017
The first time in nine Tests down under that England emerged without being defeated. Too bad it came in a dead rubber. Alastair Cook, who had averaged under 15 in ten innings going into the match, finally came to the party with 244 not out - the highest score by an opener carrying his bat in a Test innings. Australia looked in trouble briefly before rain washed out most of the fourth day. Batting monster Steven Smith then put the seal on proceedings with his third hundred of the series (and sixth of the year), steering Australia to safety.
The first time in nine Tests down under that England emerged without being defeated. Too bad it came in a dead rubber. Alastair Cook, who had averaged under 15 in ten innings going into the match, finally came to the party with 244 not out - the highest score by an opener carrying his bat in a Test innings. Australia looked in trouble briefly before rain washed out most of the fourth day. Batting monster Steven Smith then put the seal on proceedings with his third hundred of the series (and sixth of the year), steering Australia to safety.
1992
Melbourne again, this time for a match-winning spell of legspin. Shane Warne's spell of 7 for 21 in less than 15 overs gave Australia a 1-0 lead over West Indies.
Melbourne again, this time for a match-winning spell of legspin. Shane Warne's spell of 7 for 21 in less than 15 overs gave Australia a 1-0 lead over West Indies.
1981
Faisal Iqbal, born today, made his Test debut amid murmurings of nepotism (he is Javed Miandad's nephew). But two half-centuries in his first two Tests demonstrated he was worth the Test cap. He scored an attacking 83 against Australia in Colombo in 2002-03, but a string of low scores followed and he only managed to return to the side in 2006 when he scored 139 in the 341-run win over India in Karachi. In one-dayers, he scored his maiden hundred against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2002.
Faisal Iqbal, born today, made his Test debut amid murmurings of nepotism (he is Javed Miandad's nephew). But two half-centuries in his first two Tests demonstrated he was worth the Test cap. He scored an attacking 83 against Australia in Colombo in 2002-03, but a string of low scores followed and he only managed to return to the side in 2006 when he scored 139 in the 341-run win over India in Karachi. In one-dayers, he scored his maiden hundred against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2002.
1981
Fast bowler Nicky Shaw, born today, burst into the England women's squad for their winter tour to Australia and New Zealand in 1999-2000 as a 17-year-old bustling with promise. But in her first nine years, only twice did she take more than one wicket in an ODI. It was in the 2009 World Cup final that she came into her own, taking a match-winning 4 for 34 to keep New Zealand to 166; and she was at the crease when the winning runs were hit.
Fast bowler Nicky Shaw, born today, burst into the England women's squad for their winter tour to Australia and New Zealand in 1999-2000 as a 17-year-old bustling with promise. But in her first nine years, only twice did she take more than one wicket in an ODI. It was in the 2009 World Cup final that she came into her own, taking a match-winning 4 for 34 to keep New Zealand to 166; and she was at the crease when the winning runs were hit.
1948
Indian left-hand batter Surinder Amarnath was born into a cricketing family - to say the least. His brother Mohinder also played for India, as did their famous father Lala. Surinder was the least successful of the three: although he emulated his dad by scoring a hundred on his international debut, in Auckland in 1975-76. It was the only one of his Test career.
Indian left-hand batter Surinder Amarnath was born into a cricketing family - to say the least. His brother Mohinder also played for India, as did their famous father Lala. Surinder was the least successful of the three: although he emulated his dad by scoring a hundred on his international debut, in Auckland in 1975-76. It was the only one of his Test career.
1919
Warwickshire wicketkeeper Dick Spooner was born. He would have played in more than seven Tests for England if Godfrey Evans hadn't been around, but nevertheless had his moments, such as scoring 71 and 92 as an opener in Calcutta in 1951-52.
Warwickshire wicketkeeper Dick Spooner was born. He would have played in more than seven Tests for England if Godfrey Evans hadn't been around, but nevertheless had his moments, such as scoring 71 and 92 as an opener in Calcutta in 1951-52.
Other birthdays
1884 Gerald Hartigan (South Africa)
1959 Rod McCurdy (Australia)
1965 Brad McNamara (Australia)
1968 Adam Dale (Australia)
1975 T Kumaran (India)
1982 Charith Sylvester (Sri Lanka)
1884 Gerald Hartigan (South Africa)
1959 Rod McCurdy (Australia)
1965 Brad McNamara (Australia)
1968 Adam Dale (Australia)
1975 T Kumaran (India)
1982 Charith Sylvester (Sri Lanka)