November 20 down the years
The 30,000-run barrier
Tendulkar crosses a milestone no man has crossed before
Sachin Tendulkar also brought up his 43rd Test hundred in the process • AFP
2009
Sachin Tendulkar became the first man to make 30,000 international runs, on the final day of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad. It was the 44th over of the day and Tendulkar clipped an inswinging delivery from Chanaka Welegedara to deep square leg for a single. His 35th run in the innings meant that the 12,777 Test runs, 17,178 ODI runs and ten from the lone T20I previously, added up to the record. He also brought up his 88th international hundred (his 43rd in Tests) and finished the day on an unbeaten 100 as the match fizzled out in a draw.
Sachin Tendulkar became the first man to make 30,000 international runs, on the final day of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad. It was the 44th over of the day and Tendulkar clipped an inswinging delivery from Chanaka Welegedara to deep square leg for a single. His 35th run in the innings meant that the 12,777 Test runs, 17,178 ODI runs and ten from the lone T20I previously, added up to the record. He also brought up his 88th international hundred (his 43rd in Tests) and finished the day on an unbeaten 100 as the match fizzled out in a draw.
1987
Birth of Australian offspinner Nathan Lyon. In 2010, before he played first-class cricket, Lyon was working with the Adelaide Oval groundstaff, and his bowling talent was spotted by coach Darren Berry. He was picked in the Test squad for Sri Lanka in 2011 and he capped his remarkable rise with a wicket off his first ball in Test cricket, in the process taking a five-for. At Adelaide in 2014, he spun Australia to a close victory with a 12-wicket haul against the Indians. By 2015, Lyon had become Australia's most successful Test offspinner of all time, passing Hugh Trumble's tally of 141 wickets. After Australia suffered a series whitewash in 2016 Sri Lanka, where Lyon was unable to match the efforts of Rangana Herath, he worked on his variations and returned to the subcontinent the next year to take 41 wickets at 19.39 in six Tests, in India and Bangladesh. In 2018, he took three consecutive eight-wicket match hauls, first against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and then against India in Adelaide and Perth. Australia kicked off their successful 2019 Ashes campaign with a big win at Edgbaston, where Lyon starred with nine wickets. In 2023, Lyon consigned India to a rare home defeat, taking 8 for 64 in Indore. Later that year, against Pakistan in Perth, he became the third Australian after Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, to enter the 500 Test wickets club.
Birth of Australian offspinner Nathan Lyon. In 2010, before he played first-class cricket, Lyon was working with the Adelaide Oval groundstaff, and his bowling talent was spotted by coach Darren Berry. He was picked in the Test squad for Sri Lanka in 2011 and he capped his remarkable rise with a wicket off his first ball in Test cricket, in the process taking a five-for. At Adelaide in 2014, he spun Australia to a close victory with a 12-wicket haul against the Indians. By 2015, Lyon had become Australia's most successful Test offspinner of all time, passing Hugh Trumble's tally of 141 wickets. After Australia suffered a series whitewash in 2016 Sri Lanka, where Lyon was unable to match the efforts of Rangana Herath, he worked on his variations and returned to the subcontinent the next year to take 41 wickets at 19.39 in six Tests, in India and Bangladesh. In 2018, he took three consecutive eight-wicket match hauls, first against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and then against India in Adelaide and Perth. Australia kicked off their successful 2019 Ashes campaign with a big win at Edgbaston, where Lyon starred with nine wickets. In 2023, Lyon consigned India to a rare home defeat, taking 8 for 64 in Indore. Later that year, against Pakistan in Perth, he became the third Australian after Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, to enter the 500 Test wickets club.
1971
After he made his Test debut in 1992-93, Dion Nash, who was born today, played 32 Tests and missed a further 45, mostly because of a series of back injuries. But for those injuries Nash might have been the second-greatest Kiwi wicket-taker of all time, behind Richard Hadlee. He was a lively right-arm seamer, rugged, and a real fighter who was not afraid to mix it with opposing batters. He could also chip in with the bat, and in 1994 he became the first man to score a half-century and take ten wickets in a Lord's Test. Indeed, Nash tended to save his best for England - he was central to New Zealand's shock triumph in 1999, and in seven Tests against the Poms he took 34 wickets at an average of 21. Injury finally forced him to retire early in 2002 at the age of 31.
After he made his Test debut in 1992-93, Dion Nash, who was born today, played 32 Tests and missed a further 45, mostly because of a series of back injuries. But for those injuries Nash might have been the second-greatest Kiwi wicket-taker of all time, behind Richard Hadlee. He was a lively right-arm seamer, rugged, and a real fighter who was not afraid to mix it with opposing batters. He could also chip in with the bat, and in 1994 he became the first man to score a half-century and take ten wickets in a Lord's Test. Indeed, Nash tended to save his best for England - he was central to New Zealand's shock triumph in 1999, and in seven Tests against the Poms he took 34 wickets at an average of 21. Injury finally forced him to retire early in 2002 at the age of 31.
1996
Birth of fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who first came to notice for his 13 wickets in West Indies' victorious campaign at the 2016 Under-19 World Cup. He made his Test and ODI debuts the same year, but then missed many West Indies matches over the next few years with injuries. In the 2019 IPL, Joseph, on debut, set the record for the tournament's best figures, taking 6 for 12 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. He then missed the World Cup in England a month later with a dislocated shoulder. It was a difficult year for Joseph, who lost his mother that February in the middle of his first home Test in Antigua, against England; he chose to play on, and West Indies eventually won by ten wickets. In 2023, his maiden T20I five-for gave West Indies a series-clinching win against South Africa in Johannesburg. A year later, in West Indies' famous win in the Brisbane Test, Joseph took six wickets and scored a crucial 32 in the first innings.
Birth of fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who first came to notice for his 13 wickets in West Indies' victorious campaign at the 2016 Under-19 World Cup. He made his Test and ODI debuts the same year, but then missed many West Indies matches over the next few years with injuries. In the 2019 IPL, Joseph, on debut, set the record for the tournament's best figures, taking 6 for 12 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. He then missed the World Cup in England a month later with a dislocated shoulder. It was a difficult year for Joseph, who lost his mother that February in the middle of his first home Test in Antigua, against England; he chose to play on, and West Indies eventually won by ten wickets. In 2023, his maiden T20I five-for gave West Indies a series-clinching win against South Africa in Johannesburg. A year later, in West Indies' famous win in the Brisbane Test, Joseph took six wickets and scored a crucial 32 in the first innings.
1991
Another West Indian birthday. The aggressive Jermaine Blackwood, born today, hit Trent Boult for a six in only his second over of Test cricket on his way to 63 in a ten-wicket win for West Indies in Port-of-Spain in 2014. A year later, against England in Antigua, Blackwood got his maiden Test hundred. In West Indies' famous 2017 win at Headingley, where Shai Hope made two hundreds, Blackwood played a crucial supporting hand lower down the order in both innings. He got a more starring role on their next tour of England - making 95 to turn a certain draw into a four-wicket win for West Indies in the biosecure Test in Southampton. Blackwood's first away Test hundred came in a fighting second-innings effort in Hamilton in December 2020, although it didn't prevent West Indies from losing by an innings.
Another West Indian birthday. The aggressive Jermaine Blackwood, born today, hit Trent Boult for a six in only his second over of Test cricket on his way to 63 in a ten-wicket win for West Indies in Port-of-Spain in 2014. A year later, against England in Antigua, Blackwood got his maiden Test hundred. In West Indies' famous 2017 win at Headingley, where Shai Hope made two hundreds, Blackwood played a crucial supporting hand lower down the order in both innings. He got a more starring role on their next tour of England - making 95 to turn a certain draw into a four-wicket win for West Indies in the biosecure Test in Southampton. Blackwood's first away Test hundred came in a fighting second-innings effort in Hamilton in December 2020, although it didn't prevent West Indies from losing by an innings.
1955
Polly Umrigar scored India's first Test double-century in the first Test against New Zealand, in Hyderabad. He scored 223 in all, after finishing the opening day on 112, but the match ended in a draw. AG Kripal Singh also scored his only Test hundred in the innings. Three and a half years later Umrigar scored another double-hundred, this time against Cambridge University, which was for 30 years the highest score by an Indian batter in England.
Polly Umrigar scored India's first Test double-century in the first Test against New Zealand, in Hyderabad. He scored 223 in all, after finishing the opening day on 112, but the match ended in a draw. AG Kripal Singh also scored his only Test hundred in the innings. Three and a half years later Umrigar scored another double-hundred, this time against Cambridge University, which was for 30 years the highest score by an Indian batter in England.
1997
An increasingly ragged West Indies were thrashed out of sight by Pakistan in the first Test in Peshawar. They were simply hopeless against the wiles of Mushtaq Ahmed (10 for 106 in the match), and from the moment they slipped to 58 for 7 on the first morning, there was only going to be one winner. After Inzamam-ul-Haq clubbed 92 to set up a first-innings lead of 230, Pakistan stormed home by an innings and 19 runs with almost five sessions to spare. It was their biggest victory over West Indies - until the next match, which they won by an innings and 29 runs.
An increasingly ragged West Indies were thrashed out of sight by Pakistan in the first Test in Peshawar. They were simply hopeless against the wiles of Mushtaq Ahmed (10 for 106 in the match), and from the moment they slipped to 58 for 7 on the first morning, there was only going to be one winner. After Inzamam-ul-Haq clubbed 92 to set up a first-innings lead of 230, Pakistan stormed home by an innings and 19 runs with almost five sessions to spare. It was their biggest victory over West Indies - until the next match, which they won by an innings and 29 runs.
1969
Birth of Chris Harris, whose cheery disposition and everyman quality made him a favourite in New Zealand. His improvised batting, wibbly-wobbly slow-medium bowling and brilliant fielding made him something of a one-day specialist, and he was New Zealand's highest wicket-taker in ODIs till Daniel Vettori passed him in 2007. The son of a Test player, Harris starred in New Zealand's successful 1992 World Cup campaign, taking 16 wickets at 21; in Tests, though, he averaged over 70 with the ball.
Birth of Chris Harris, whose cheery disposition and everyman quality made him a favourite in New Zealand. His improvised batting, wibbly-wobbly slow-medium bowling and brilliant fielding made him something of a one-day specialist, and he was New Zealand's highest wicket-taker in ODIs till Daniel Vettori passed him in 2007. The son of a Test player, Harris starred in New Zealand's successful 1992 World Cup campaign, taking 16 wickets at 21; in Tests, though, he averaged over 70 with the ball.
1970
A fearsome display from Barry Richards illuminated the Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and South Australia in Perth. Richards hammered 325 on the first day - the best is Brian Lara's 390 to take him from 111 to 501 for Warwickshire v Durham at Edgbaston in 1994. Richards made 356 in all, to help South Australia to an innings victory, the highest score of his brilliant but sadly unfulfilled career - he was only 25 but had already played the last of his four Tests for South Africa.
A fearsome display from Barry Richards illuminated the Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and South Australia in Perth. Richards hammered 325 on the first day - the best is Brian Lara's 390 to take him from 111 to 501 for Warwickshire v Durham at Edgbaston in 1994. Richards made 356 in all, to help South Australia to an innings victory, the highest score of his brilliant but sadly unfulfilled career - he was only 25 but had already played the last of his four Tests for South Africa.
1969
A century on debut for the classy Gundappa Viswanath. Against Australia in Kanpur, Vishy started his Test career with a duck but scored 137 (and added 110 with Eknath Solkar) in the second innings. Australia had a slim first-innings lead, but Viswanath's century ensured they didn't get the upper hand. The match was the only drawn Test of the series, which Australia won 3-1. Vishy went on to play 90 more Tests, in which he scored another 13 hundreds.
A century on debut for the classy Gundappa Viswanath. Against Australia in Kanpur, Vishy started his Test career with a duck but scored 137 (and added 110 with Eknath Solkar) in the second innings. Australia had a slim first-innings lead, but Viswanath's century ensured they didn't get the upper hand. The match was the only drawn Test of the series, which Australia won 3-1. Vishy went on to play 90 more Tests, in which he scored another 13 hundreds.
1990
In a series billed as the unofficial world championship, Pakistan took first blood with a comprehensive eight-wicket win over West Indies in Karachi. If West Indies were led by Desmond Haynes' 117 batting first, Pakistan responded with an 84-run lead, courtesy Saleem Malik's 102. Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis then ran riot in West Indies' second essay to set the 97-run target. West Indies would storm back in the next Test, in Faisalabad, winning by seven wickets. The third and final Test in Lahore petered out to a draw.
In a series billed as the unofficial world championship, Pakistan took first blood with a comprehensive eight-wicket win over West Indies in Karachi. If West Indies were led by Desmond Haynes' 117 batting first, Pakistan responded with an 84-run lead, courtesy Saleem Malik's 102. Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis then ran riot in West Indies' second essay to set the 97-run target. West Indies would storm back in the next Test, in Faisalabad, winning by seven wickets. The third and final Test in Lahore petered out to a draw.
2011
Hyderabad's Ibrahim Khaleel broke the record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in a first-class match when he effected 14 against Assam in Guwahati in the Ranji Trophy Plate League. He took 11 catches and made three stumpings. The 21-year-old Lalith Mohan was the biggest beneficiary, with four catches and two stumpings coming off his left-arm spin. The previous record was 13 by Zimbabwe's Wayne James in 1996.
Hyderabad's Ibrahim Khaleel broke the record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in a first-class match when he effected 14 against Assam in Guwahati in the Ranji Trophy Plate League. He took 11 catches and made three stumpings. The 21-year-old Lalith Mohan was the biggest beneficiary, with four catches and two stumpings coming off his left-arm spin. The previous record was 13 by Zimbabwe's Wayne James in 1996.
1987
England took an unassailable 2-0 lead in their one-day series in Pakistan with a 23-run victory in the second match in Karachi. Graham Gooch clobbered 142 off 134 balls, and David Capel excelled himself with a 40-ball 50 that included three successive sixes off Shoaib Mohammad. As Pakistan fell short of their target, interest centred on whether Ramiz Raja could complete his century. He was on 98 with one ball remaining when, looking for a second run, he deliberately intercepted a throw with his bat. He was given out obstructing the field for 99, the first such dismissal in ODI history.
England took an unassailable 2-0 lead in their one-day series in Pakistan with a 23-run victory in the second match in Karachi. Graham Gooch clobbered 142 off 134 balls, and David Capel excelled himself with a 40-ball 50 that included three successive sixes off Shoaib Mohammad. As Pakistan fell short of their target, interest centred on whether Ramiz Raja could complete his century. He was on 98 with one ball remaining when, looking for a second run, he deliberately intercepted a throw with his bat. He was given out obstructing the field for 99, the first such dismissal in ODI history.
1980
Rajin Saleh, born today, played 24 Tests and 43 ODIs for Bangladesh between 2003 and 2008. A talented middle-order batter, Saleh was 19 when he caught the attention of the national selectors after averaging 56 in the first-class league. Before he had turned 21 he was elevated to the captaincy, for the Champions Trophy in England in 2004, after Habibul Bashar broke his thumb. Saleh cracked 89 in the historic Test victory over Zimbabwe in Chittagong early in 2005, but a series of poor one-day performances spelt the end. He was named in the World Cup 2007 squad but didn't play a game.
Rajin Saleh, born today, played 24 Tests and 43 ODIs for Bangladesh between 2003 and 2008. A talented middle-order batter, Saleh was 19 when he caught the attention of the national selectors after averaging 56 in the first-class league. Before he had turned 21 he was elevated to the captaincy, for the Champions Trophy in England in 2004, after Habibul Bashar broke his thumb. Saleh cracked 89 in the historic Test victory over Zimbabwe in Chittagong early in 2005, but a series of poor one-day performances spelt the end. He was named in the World Cup 2007 squad but didn't play a game.
1912
Wilf Wooller, who was born today, was one of the greatest all-round sportsmen Wales ever produced. More than that, he was one of the nation's richest - and certainly most combative - characters. He was captain of Glamorgan for 14 years, secretary for 30, and club president for the six years before he died. He had 18 rugby caps for Wales, played soccer for Cardiff and was later fearsome at bowls.
Wilf Wooller, who was born today, was one of the greatest all-round sportsmen Wales ever produced. More than that, he was one of the nation's richest - and certainly most combative - characters. He was captain of Glamorgan for 14 years, secretary for 30, and club president for the six years before he died. He had 18 rugby caps for Wales, played soccer for Cardiff and was later fearsome at bowls.
Other birthdays
1938 Tony White (West Indies
1974 Brad Williams (Australia)
1983 Cri-zelda Brits (South Africa)
1938 Tony White (West Indies
1974 Brad Williams (Australia)
1983 Cri-zelda Brits (South Africa)