November 1 down the years
Australia's nemesis
The second Indian to make over 2000 Test runs against Australia
VVS Laxman finished with 8781 Test runs • AFP
1974
The events of March 13-14, 2001, forever changed the life of VVS Laxman, who was born today. Up to then an underachiever with a Test average of only 28, Laxman stroked a magnificent, chanceless 281 in Kolkata when India looked set to go 0-2 down to Australia. It was at that time the highest Test score by an Indian, and it went a long way towards ending Australia's 16-match winning streak. Not satisfied with that Aussie-bashing effort, he was at it again in Adelaide in 2003-04, when he scored 148, supporting Rahul Dravid superbly in another magnificent triumph. Laxman repeatedly saved his best for Australia: in the course of the double-hundred against them in Delhi in 2008, he became the second Indian after Sachin Tendulkar to score more than 2000 runs against Australia. And then in 2010, he led India to a one-wicket win against them in Mohali, scoring an unbeaten 73 while struggling with back pain. He lost form through India's tours of England and Australia in 2011 and 2012, and in August 2012 he announced his retirement.
The events of March 13-14, 2001, forever changed the life of VVS Laxman, who was born today. Up to then an underachiever with a Test average of only 28, Laxman stroked a magnificent, chanceless 281 in Kolkata when India looked set to go 0-2 down to Australia. It was at that time the highest Test score by an Indian, and it went a long way towards ending Australia's 16-match winning streak. Not satisfied with that Aussie-bashing effort, he was at it again in Adelaide in 2003-04, when he scored 148, supporting Rahul Dravid superbly in another magnificent triumph. Laxman repeatedly saved his best for Australia: in the course of the double-hundred against them in Delhi in 2008, he became the second Indian after Sachin Tendulkar to score more than 2000 runs against Australia. And then in 2010, he led India to a one-wicket win against them in Mohali, scoring an unbeaten 73 while struggling with back pain. He lost form through India's tours of England and Australia in 2011 and 2012, and in August 2012 he announced his retirement.
1970
It seems strange that West Indies didn't find a regular place for the dashing Sherwin Campbell, who was born today. He was dropped after their disastrous tour of Australia in 2000-01 and that was that. Campbell was a curious case, a swashbuckling chancer of an opener whose flashing blade made him a dangerous customer on any surface (his 82 was comfortably the highest score in the Lord's dogfight of 2000). But he was just as likely to die by that scything blade, and his run of scores in international matches in New Zealand in 1999-00 (170, 0, 0, 3, 51, 0, 0) were symptomatic of the man.
It seems strange that West Indies didn't find a regular place for the dashing Sherwin Campbell, who was born today. He was dropped after their disastrous tour of Australia in 2000-01 and that was that. Campbell was a curious case, a swashbuckling chancer of an opener whose flashing blade made him a dangerous customer on any surface (his 82 was comfortably the highest score in the Lord's dogfight of 2000). But he was just as likely to die by that scything blade, and his run of scores in international matches in New Zealand in 1999-00 (170, 0, 0, 3, 51, 0, 0) were symptomatic of the man.
2020
Will Pucovski and Marcus Harris of Victoria smashed the 30-year-old record for the biggest partnership in a Sheffield Shield game, putting on 486 runs for the first wicket against South Australia. They beat Steve and Mark Waugh's 464-not-out stand against Western Australia in 1990. Pucovski, opening for the first time in first-class cricket, finished unbeaten on 255 when Victoria declared on 569 for 3, and Harris on 239.
Will Pucovski and Marcus Harris of Victoria smashed the 30-year-old record for the biggest partnership in a Sheffield Shield game, putting on 486 runs for the first wicket against South Australia. They beat Steve and Mark Waugh's 464-not-out stand against Western Australia in 1990. Pucovski, opening for the first time in first-class cricket, finished unbeaten on 255 when Victoria declared on 569 for 3, and Harris on 239.
2008
The most underwhelming match ever contested for US$20 million. The Stanford Superstars, made up of West Indies players, thumped England - bowled out for 99 - in Antigua by ten wickets in a T20 that lasted 32.3 overs. The brainchild of Allen Stanford, the Texan billionaire who bankrolled the tournament, and the England board, the Stanford 20/20 for 20 was part of a deal to play five matches for $100 million. But after Stanford was later charged with "a fraud of shocking magnitude" by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the USA, the England and West Indies boards severed ties with him.
The most underwhelming match ever contested for US$20 million. The Stanford Superstars, made up of West Indies players, thumped England - bowled out for 99 - in Antigua by ten wickets in a T20 that lasted 32.3 overs. The brainchild of Allen Stanford, the Texan billionaire who bankrolled the tournament, and the England board, the Stanford 20/20 for 20 was part of a deal to play five matches for $100 million. But after Stanford was later charged with "a fraud of shocking magnitude" by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the USA, the England and West Indies boards severed ties with him.
2020
Umpire Aleem Dar broke the record for officiating in the most ODIs when he stood in his 210th match, the second ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Dar went past Rudi Koertzen to add to the records he already held for officiating in the most Test matches (132) and most internationals overall (387).
Umpire Aleem Dar broke the record for officiating in the most ODIs when he stood in his 210th match, the second ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Dar went past Rudi Koertzen to add to the records he already held for officiating in the most Test matches (132) and most internationals overall (387).
1968
Birth of a former Bangladesh captain who led his team in 15 ODIs in the mid-1990s. Akram Khan's biggest achievement was the ICC Trophy victory in 1997 which earned Bangladesh a place in the 1999 World Cup. As vice-captain during that tournament, Akram played Obelix to Aminul Islam's Asterix, twirling a menhir-sized bat for 42 in the controversial win over Pakistan. His technique was limited but he compensated with a good eye, and was at his most effective when lofting spinners over the top. He retired in 2003 after playing 44 ODIs and eight Tests and went on to become a national selector.
Birth of a former Bangladesh captain who led his team in 15 ODIs in the mid-1990s. Akram Khan's biggest achievement was the ICC Trophy victory in 1997 which earned Bangladesh a place in the 1999 World Cup. As vice-captain during that tournament, Akram played Obelix to Aminul Islam's Asterix, twirling a menhir-sized bat for 42 in the controversial win over Pakistan. His technique was limited but he compensated with a good eye, and was at his most effective when lofting spinners over the top. He retired in 2003 after playing 44 ODIs and eight Tests and went on to become a national selector.
1762
The birth of the man credited with being the first to experiment with roundarm bowling. Tom Walker was fast, so much so that a law was passed against his "jerking" as he bowled. He took 41 wickets and scored 1111 runs in 46 first-class matches between 1801 and 1810.
The birth of the man credited with being the first to experiment with roundarm bowling. Tom Walker was fast, so much so that a law was passed against his "jerking" as he bowled. He took 41 wickets and scored 1111 runs in 46 first-class matches between 1801 and 1810.
1865
Birth of England's youngest captain. Monty Bowden played only two Tests, both in South Africa in 1888-89, but in the second, in Cape Town, he was captain, aged only 23, in the absence of the injured Aubrey Smith. Bowden and Smith stayed behind in South Africa after that to form a stockbroking firm, before Bowden travelled to Rhodesia with Cecil Rhodes' Pioneer Column. He died there in 1892, still only 26, after falling from his cart. He was taken to Umtali Hospital (basically no more than a mud-hut), where he died. Prior to being buried in a coffin made out of whisky cases his body had to be protected from prowling lions.
Birth of England's youngest captain. Monty Bowden played only two Tests, both in South Africa in 1888-89, but in the second, in Cape Town, he was captain, aged only 23, in the absence of the injured Aubrey Smith. Bowden and Smith stayed behind in South Africa after that to form a stockbroking firm, before Bowden travelled to Rhodesia with Cecil Rhodes' Pioneer Column. He died there in 1892, still only 26, after falling from his cart. He was taken to Umtali Hospital (basically no more than a mud-hut), where he died. Prior to being buried in a coffin made out of whisky cases his body had to be protected from prowling lions.
1989
Pakistan won the Nehru Cup after a thrilling victory over West Indies in the final in Calcutta. Chasing 274 after Desmond Haynes had batted through for 107, Pakistan kept up with the rate throughout their reply, with Salim Malik cracking 71 off only 62 balls. It eventually came down to the final over: three were needed off two balls when Wasim Akram swung his first delivery (from Viv Richards, who had bowled his big guns out and had to take the last over himself) high over midwicket for six to finish things off in style.
Pakistan won the Nehru Cup after a thrilling victory over West Indies in the final in Calcutta. Chasing 274 after Desmond Haynes had batted through for 107, Pakistan kept up with the rate throughout their reply, with Salim Malik cracking 71 off only 62 balls. It eventually came down to the final over: three were needed off two balls when Wasim Akram swung his first delivery (from Viv Richards, who had bowled his big guns out and had to take the last over himself) high over midwicket for six to finish things off in style.
1951
Birth of Craig Serjeant, a tall, powerful, leg-side-favouring batter who made his Test debut at Lord's in June 1977. He had already gained a reputation as a hard-hitting middle-order player, and 730 runs at 66.36 in his first season, followed by four fifties in the five matches before the opening Test, won him selection. That form continued at Lord's, where he made 81, but he struggled thereafter and passed fifty only once in his next 17 Test innings. He broke that poor run with 124 against West Indies in the third Test in Georgetown in 1977-78, and solid performances in the next two Tests seemed to have cemented his position. But he started the following summer poorly and never regained his place.
Birth of Craig Serjeant, a tall, powerful, leg-side-favouring batter who made his Test debut at Lord's in June 1977. He had already gained a reputation as a hard-hitting middle-order player, and 730 runs at 66.36 in his first season, followed by four fifties in the five matches before the opening Test, won him selection. That form continued at Lord's, where he made 81, but he struggled thereafter and passed fifty only once in his next 17 Test innings. He broke that poor run with 124 against West Indies in the third Test in Georgetown in 1977-78, and solid performances in the next two Tests seemed to have cemented his position. But he started the following summer poorly and never regained his place.
Other birthdays
1923 Bruce Dooland (Australia)
1925 Mary Allitt (Australia)
1926 Gerald Smithson (England)
1964 Kosala Kuruppuarachchi (Sri Lanka)
1980 Fahim Muntasir (Bangladesh)
1923 Bruce Dooland (Australia)
1925 Mary Allitt (Australia)
1926 Gerald Smithson (England)
1964 Kosala Kuruppuarachchi (Sri Lanka)
1980 Fahim Muntasir (Bangladesh)