September 3 down the years
A World Cup wicket-taking machine
Ace India fast bowler Mohammed Shami has excelled on the biggest stage of them all
Shami during his 7 for 57 against New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup semi-final • AFP/Getty Images
1990
Birth of Mohammed Shami, one of the key prongs in India's formidable pace attack of the late 2010s and early 2020s. Shami had the best match figures on debut for an Indian fast bowler when he took 9 for 118 against West Indies in Kolkata in 2013. In Australia the following year, he bagged 15 wickets in three Tests in Virat Kohli's first series as India captain. ODI World Cups brought the best out of Shami. In 2015 in Australia, he took 17 wickets at 17.29, playing with a knee injury, and in the next edition, he took 14 at under 14 runs apiece, but it was his performance in the 2023 tournament that stood apart: after not playing the first three matches, he topped the wicket-takers' table, with 24 wickets at 10.70. After his 2015 injury, it took Shami a year and a half to return to Test cricket, but when he did, he was back to his reliable quick self, taking 11 wickets in four Tests in the West Indies. He was an important part of the Indian attack - perhaps their best ever - that went to South Africa, England and Australia in 2018 and early 2019; he took six wickets each in the Johannesburg, Southampton and Perth Tests. On his next go around in South Africa, he took eight in the Centurion Test, which India won. In the IPL, Shami excelled after he moved to the newly formed Gujarat Titans franchise in 2022, taking 48 wickets in two seasons during which they made two finals and won one.
Birth of Mohammed Shami, one of the key prongs in India's formidable pace attack of the late 2010s and early 2020s. Shami had the best match figures on debut for an Indian fast bowler when he took 9 for 118 against West Indies in Kolkata in 2013. In Australia the following year, he bagged 15 wickets in three Tests in Virat Kohli's first series as India captain. ODI World Cups brought the best out of Shami. In 2015 in Australia, he took 17 wickets at 17.29, playing with a knee injury, and in the next edition, he took 14 at under 14 runs apiece, but it was his performance in the 2023 tournament that stood apart: after not playing the first three matches, he topped the wicket-takers' table, with 24 wickets at 10.70. After his 2015 injury, it took Shami a year and a half to return to Test cricket, but when he did, he was back to his reliable quick self, taking 11 wickets in four Tests in the West Indies. He was an important part of the Indian attack - perhaps their best ever - that went to South Africa, England and Australia in 2018 and early 2019; he took six wickets each in the Johannesburg, Southampton and Perth Tests. On his next go around in South Africa, he took eight in the Centurion Test, which India won. In the IPL, Shami excelled after he moved to the newly formed Gujarat Titans franchise in 2022, taking 48 wickets in two seasons during which they made two finals and won one.
1900
One of England's most popular and successful Test captains is born. Instantly successful, too. In his first match in charge, Percy Chapman led England to victory by 289 runs over Australia at The Oval in 1926, a win that regained the Ashes. Chapman was captain when they were retained 4-1 in 1928-29, a series that saw him at his peak. Before drink got the better of him, he was one of the all-time great close fielders (32 catches in 26 Tests) and hit a sparkling century in defeat against Australia at Lord's in 1930. His score of 121 would have been even higher if he hadn't choked on a flying insect!
One of England's most popular and successful Test captains is born. Instantly successful, too. In his first match in charge, Percy Chapman led England to victory by 289 runs over Australia at The Oval in 1926, a win that regained the Ashes. Chapman was captain when they were retained 4-1 in 1928-29, a series that saw him at his peak. Before drink got the better of him, he was one of the all-time great close fielders (32 catches in 26 Tests) and hit a sparkling century in defeat against Australia at Lord's in 1930. His score of 121 would have been even higher if he hadn't choked on a flying insect!
2022
Zimbabwe beat a full-strength Australia side in an away ODI, albeit in a dead rubber. David Warner made a run-a-ball 94 in the game, in Townsville, but lost partners at a rate of knots at the other end - just one of his team-mates got into two figures. Part-time legspinner Ryan Burl took five of the Australian wickets; seven if you include his catches. When Zimbabwe's turn came to bat, they made heavy weather of the chase of 142 but got there in the end seven wickets down in the 40th over, thanks to captain Regis Chakabva's unbeaten 37.
Zimbabwe beat a full-strength Australia side in an away ODI, albeit in a dead rubber. David Warner made a run-a-ball 94 in the game, in Townsville, but lost partners at a rate of knots at the other end - just one of his team-mates got into two figures. Part-time legspinner Ryan Burl took five of the Australian wickets; seven if you include his catches. When Zimbabwe's turn came to bat, they made heavy weather of the chase of 142 but got there in the end seven wickets down in the 40th over, thanks to captain Regis Chakabva's unbeaten 37.
1882
Birth of the pugnacious Johnny Douglas, who was England's captain when they lost all five Tests in Australia in 1920-21. But English cricket had been decimated by the First World War - and Douglas had had better days down under. Back in 1911-12, he took over when Plum Warner fell ill, and led England to a 4-1 victory that regained the Ashes. This after Douglas had helped lose the first Test in Sydney by opening the bowling himself instead of using Sydney Barnes. A few well-chosen words by Warner and Barnes and it didn't happen again. It took someone as strong-willed as Barnes to stand up to Douglas, who had won the Olympic middleweight boxing title in 1908 (beating an Australian in the final). His batting was so slow at times that his initials JWHT were translated as "Johnny Won't Hit Today" - but probably not to his face. He drowned in 1930 while trying to save his father from a sinking ship.
Birth of the pugnacious Johnny Douglas, who was England's captain when they lost all five Tests in Australia in 1920-21. But English cricket had been decimated by the First World War - and Douglas had had better days down under. Back in 1911-12, he took over when Plum Warner fell ill, and led England to a 4-1 victory that regained the Ashes. This after Douglas had helped lose the first Test in Sydney by opening the bowling himself instead of using Sydney Barnes. A few well-chosen words by Warner and Barnes and it didn't happen again. It took someone as strong-willed as Barnes to stand up to Douglas, who had won the Olympic middleweight boxing title in 1908 (beating an Australian in the final). His batting was so slow at times that his initials JWHT were translated as "Johnny Won't Hit Today" - but probably not to his face. He drowned in 1930 while trying to save his father from a sinking ship.
1990
One of Ireland's finest batters, Paul Stirling, born on this day, was part of the team that did well at the World T20 in England in 2009. The following year, Stirling, who played alongside fellow Irish-born batter Eoin Morgan for Middlesex, made 177 for Ireland against Canada, which remains the highest ODI score by an Irishman; so much of a pillar of Ireland's batting did Stirling go on to be that eight of the top 15 scores in Ireland's ODI history belonged to him circa the early 2020s. He scored a century in the 2011 World Cup, against Netherlands, and one against Pakistan in a bilateral ODI immediately after the tournament. In Ireland's opening match of the next World Cup, Stirling made a match-winning 92 off 84 balls to chase 305 and beat West Indies by four wickets. His first Test hundred, 103 against Sri Lanka in Galle, came in an Ireland total of 492, but they were well outbatted by the home side. In 2020-21, Stirling made four hundreds in a six-match stretch, against England away in a game Ireland won, and versus UAE and Afghanistan in the UAE. Though Ireland fared poorly in the qualifying tournament for the 2023 ODI World Cup, Stirling starred with a big century in their lone win there, against UAE.
One of Ireland's finest batters, Paul Stirling, born on this day, was part of the team that did well at the World T20 in England in 2009. The following year, Stirling, who played alongside fellow Irish-born batter Eoin Morgan for Middlesex, made 177 for Ireland against Canada, which remains the highest ODI score by an Irishman; so much of a pillar of Ireland's batting did Stirling go on to be that eight of the top 15 scores in Ireland's ODI history belonged to him circa the early 2020s. He scored a century in the 2011 World Cup, against Netherlands, and one against Pakistan in a bilateral ODI immediately after the tournament. In Ireland's opening match of the next World Cup, Stirling made a match-winning 92 off 84 balls to chase 305 and beat West Indies by four wickets. His first Test hundred, 103 against Sri Lanka in Galle, came in an Ireland total of 492, but they were well outbatted by the home side. In 2020-21, Stirling made four hundreds in a six-match stretch, against England away in a game Ireland won, and versus UAE and Afghanistan in the UAE. Though Ireland fared poorly in the qualifying tournament for the 2023 ODI World Cup, Stirling starred with a big century in their lone win there, against UAE.
1933
Birth of that wristy and obdurate batter Basil Butcher, who was an important member of the side that served West Indies so well in the 1960s. He averaged 43.11 and scored seven centuries in Tests, including a superb 209 not out that won the Trent Bridge Test of 1966 after West Indies had trailed by 90 on first innings. He took 5 for 34 with his legspin in Port-of-Spain in 1967-68, but they were his only Test wickets and England won the match.
Birth of that wristy and obdurate batter Basil Butcher, who was an important member of the side that served West Indies so well in the 1960s. He averaged 43.11 and scored seven centuries in Tests, including a superb 209 not out that won the Trent Bridge Test of 1966 after West Indies had trailed by 90 on first innings. He took 5 for 34 with his legspin in Port-of-Spain in 1967-68, but they were his only Test wickets and England won the match.
1975
The end of the longest first-class match played in England (32 hours 17 minutes). Under an agreement between the English and Australian authorities, the final Test of the 1975 series was to be extended to six days if the Ashes were still at stake. They were, but the extra day looked academic when England followed on 341 runs in arrears early on the fourth morning. But anchored by Bob Woolmer's 149, England not only avoided an innings defeat but also managed a draw.
The end of the longest first-class match played in England (32 hours 17 minutes). Under an agreement between the English and Australian authorities, the final Test of the 1975 series was to be extended to six days if the Ashes were still at stake. They were, but the extra day looked academic when England followed on 341 runs in arrears early on the fourth morning. But anchored by Bob Woolmer's 149, England not only avoided an innings defeat but also managed a draw.
2012
India played their first series without Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman since 1996. But their opponents, New Zealand, weren't quite up to the task of using it to their advantage. India's next generation of middle-order batters stepped up - Cheteshwar Pujara, returning from injury, scored 159 in an innings victory in Hyderabad and Virat Kohli made his second Test hundred, in Bangalore. Offspinner R Ashwin took 12 for 85 - his first ten-wicket match haul and the best figures by an Indian against New Zealand at the time, a record he broke in 2016.
India played their first series without Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman since 1996. But their opponents, New Zealand, weren't quite up to the task of using it to their advantage. India's next generation of middle-order batters stepped up - Cheteshwar Pujara, returning from injury, scored 159 in an innings victory in Hyderabad and Virat Kohli made his second Test hundred, in Bangalore. Offspinner R Ashwin took 12 for 85 - his first ten-wicket match haul and the best figures by an Indian against New Zealand at the time, a record he broke in 2016.
2022
Trent Rockets won the second season of the men's Hundred, at Lord's. Their captain, Lewis Gregory, made 11 runs off the last three balls of the chase of 121. Earlier, opening bowler Sam Cook turned in a Player-of-the-Match performance with 4 for 18 off his 20 balls. Rockets did it collective-style - six batters made scores of between 13 and 19 in their innings. In the women's final on the same day at the same venue, Oval Invincibles retained the title after overhauling Southern Brave's under-par 94 with room to spare. Marizanne Kapp shepherded the chase and was not out on 37 at the end, after South Africa team-mate Shabnim Ismail took two wickets in the first innings.
Trent Rockets won the second season of the men's Hundred, at Lord's. Their captain, Lewis Gregory, made 11 runs off the last three balls of the chase of 121. Earlier, opening bowler Sam Cook turned in a Player-of-the-Match performance with 4 for 18 off his 20 balls. Rockets did it collective-style - six batters made scores of between 13 and 19 in their innings. In the women's final on the same day at the same venue, Oval Invincibles retained the title after overhauling Southern Brave's under-par 94 with room to spare. Marizanne Kapp shepherded the chase and was not out on 37 at the end, after South Africa team-mate Shabnim Ismail took two wickets in the first innings.
1985
Unsung Kent swing bowler Richard Ellison completed figures of 5 for 46 at The Oval to help dismiss Australia for 129 and win the match. England's innings victory clinched the series 3-1 and regained the Ashes. Genial Bernard Thomas retired as England physio after 17 years.
Unsung Kent swing bowler Richard Ellison completed figures of 5 for 46 at The Oval to help dismiss Australia for 129 and win the match. England's innings victory clinched the series 3-1 and regained the Ashes. Genial Bernard Thomas retired as England physio after 17 years.
1983
In the NatWest final at Lord's, Somerset avenged their 1967 defeat to Kent by beating the same side to win the trophy for the first time in their history. Although they made only 193 batting first, their bowling was too economical for Kent. Ian Botham took 2 for 29 in his ten overs, and Joel Garner 2 for only 15 in nine. But Vic Marks was made Man of the Match for his 3 for 30 in 10 overs to go with an innings of 29.
In the NatWest final at Lord's, Somerset avenged their 1967 defeat to Kent by beating the same side to win the trophy for the first time in their history. Although they made only 193 batting first, their bowling was too economical for Kent. Ian Botham took 2 for 29 in his ten overs, and Joel Garner 2 for only 15 in nine. But Vic Marks was made Man of the Match for his 3 for 30 in 10 overs to go with an innings of 29.
1841
Birth of fast bowler Tom Emmett, who played for England in the inaugural Test, in Melbourne in 1876-77, when he bowled 12 overs for only 13 runs but didn't take a wicket. That lack of penetration was reflected in his overall Test career (nine wickets in seven matches) - but as captain of Yorkshire he gave as good as he got in verbal exchanges with WG Grace, which was no mean feat. Emmett described one of his standard deliveries as a "sostenuter" on the basis of "What else would you call it?"
Birth of fast bowler Tom Emmett, who played for England in the inaugural Test, in Melbourne in 1876-77, when he bowled 12 overs for only 13 runs but didn't take a wicket. That lack of penetration was reflected in his overall Test career (nine wickets in seven matches) - but as captain of Yorkshire he gave as good as he got in verbal exchanges with WG Grace, which was no mean feat. Emmett described one of his standard deliveries as a "sostenuter" on the basis of "What else would you call it?"
1905
Birth of New Zealand left-hander Jackie Mills, whose only Test century was scored on his debut. Against England in Wellington in 1929-30, he scored 117 and put on 276 for the first wicket with the great Stewie Dempster. It's still New Zealand's highest stand for any wicket against England.
Birth of New Zealand left-hander Jackie Mills, whose only Test century was scored on his debut. Against England in Wellington in 1929-30, he scored 117 and put on 276 for the first wicket with the great Stewie Dempster. It's still New Zealand's highest stand for any wicket against England.
Other birthdays
1856 Robert Stewart (South Africa)
1951 Denys Hobson (South Africa)
1974 Rahul Sanghvi (India)
1984 Raees Ahmadzai (Afghanistan)
1856 Robert Stewart (South Africa)
1951 Denys Hobson (South Africa)
1974 Rahul Sanghvi (India)
1984 Raees Ahmadzai (Afghanistan)