January 29 down the years
A Sabina Park farce
A 62-ball Test in Jamaica
The pitch from hell • Getty Images
1998
One of the shortest Tests in history. The Jamaica match between England and West Indies lasted just 62 bone-crushing deliveries. England were 17 for 3 at the time - Alec Stewart was still there having made an imperious, unbeaten 9 - and their physio Wayne Morton had run out six times in 66 minutes. When Nasser Hussain came to the crease, Stewart apparently greeted him with the words: "It's Saturday, it's eight o'clock, it's the lottery." Thankfully England's number came up when the umpires, Steve Bucknor and Srinivas Venkataraghavan, courageously called off play because of the unsafe pitch.
One of the shortest Tests in history. The Jamaica match between England and West Indies lasted just 62 bone-crushing deliveries. England were 17 for 3 at the time - Alec Stewart was still there having made an imperious, unbeaten 9 - and their physio Wayne Morton had run out six times in 66 minutes. When Nasser Hussain came to the crease, Stewart apparently greeted him with the words: "It's Saturday, it's eight o'clock, it's the lottery." Thankfully England's number came up when the umpires, Steve Bucknor and Srinivas Venkataraghavan, courageously called off play because of the unsafe pitch.
2006
An extraordinary first day in the decisive third Test between Pakistan and India in Karachi. When Irfan Pathan grabbed a hat-trick in the very first over of the match, a stunned Pakistan slipped to 39 for 6 and there seemed no way back. But from the wreckage rose the wicketkeeper, Kamran Akmal. His brilliant counterattacking 113 was aided by cameos from Abdul Razzaq and Shoaib Akhtar, and four days later Pakistan had won a bizarre contest by a misleadingly vast 341-run margin.
An extraordinary first day in the decisive third Test between Pakistan and India in Karachi. When Irfan Pathan grabbed a hat-trick in the very first over of the match, a stunned Pakistan slipped to 39 for 6 and there seemed no way back. But from the wreckage rose the wicketkeeper, Kamran Akmal. His brilliant counterattacking 113 was aided by cameos from Abdul Razzaq and Shoaib Akhtar, and four days later Pakistan had won a bizarre contest by a misleadingly vast 341-run margin.
1951
The poker-faced, almost docile, demeanour of Andy Roberts, who was born today, hid the merciless soul of a great fast bowler. His stock bouncer, quick and nasty, was simply a softener, a prelude to the real thing, which was close to unplayable. Lithe and effortlessly economical in his run-up, Roberts did not benefit from coming into a great West Indies side (only one of his first seven five-fors came in victory). His start was remarkable - 32 wickets in his second series, in India in 1974-74, including 12 in the Madras Test. And he did nearly as well against England in the summer of 1976, when Viv Richards ran rampant and soaked up the spotlight: Roberts took 28 wickets in the series, including twin five-fors at Lord's. He famously blew India away again in Jamaica in 1982-83 with three wickets in an over to allow Richards to hammer West Indies to a victory target of 173 inside 26 overs.
The poker-faced, almost docile, demeanour of Andy Roberts, who was born today, hid the merciless soul of a great fast bowler. His stock bouncer, quick and nasty, was simply a softener, a prelude to the real thing, which was close to unplayable. Lithe and effortlessly economical in his run-up, Roberts did not benefit from coming into a great West Indies side (only one of his first seven five-fors came in victory). His start was remarkable - 32 wickets in his second series, in India in 1974-74, including 12 in the Madras Test. And he did nearly as well against England in the summer of 1976, when Viv Richards ran rampant and soaked up the spotlight: Roberts took 28 wickets in the series, including twin five-fors at Lord's. He famously blew India away again in Jamaica in 1982-83 with three wickets in an over to allow Richards to hammer West Indies to a victory target of 173 inside 26 overs.
1991
Violence flared during the Duleep Trophy final between North Zone and West Zone when the bowler, Rashid Patel, attacked the batters Raman Lamba and Ajay Jadeja with a stump. Jadeja was struck as he attempted to defend Lamba, and Lamba then had to use his bat as a shield when Patel chased him. The crowd then joined in, pelting stones onto the playing area. The match - a tedious, high-scoring affair - was abandoned and Patel escaped with a lenient 13-month ban. Lamba was banned for ten months.
Violence flared during the Duleep Trophy final between North Zone and West Zone when the bowler, Rashid Patel, attacked the batters Raman Lamba and Ajay Jadeja with a stump. Jadeja was struck as he attempted to defend Lamba, and Lamba then had to use his bat as a shield when Patel chased him. The crowd then joined in, pelting stones onto the playing area. The match - a tedious, high-scoring affair - was abandoned and Patel escaped with a lenient 13-month ban. Lamba was banned for ten months.
1932
Birth of Raman Subba Row, who played 13 Tests for England between 1958 and 1961 and ended with the extremely healthy average of 46.85. He made three hundreds - including in his first and last Tests against Australia - and was out twice in the 90s as well. He also made a triple-century for Northants against Surrey, his old county. But at the end of 1961 he retired suddenly, for business reasons. Subba Row was later chairman of the England cricket board and also went on to become an ICC match referee.
Birth of Raman Subba Row, who played 13 Tests for England between 1958 and 1961 and ended with the extremely healthy average of 46.85. He made three hundreds - including in his first and last Tests against Australia - and was out twice in the 90s as well. He also made a triple-century for Northants against Surrey, his old county. But at the end of 1961 he retired suddenly, for business reasons. Subba Row was later chairman of the England cricket board and also went on to become an ICC match referee.
2023
India won the first Under-19 Women's World Cup - their first World Cup title ever in women's cricket - in one-sided fashion in Potchefstroom. England struggled to a total of 68 in the first innings, at the Test-cricket-like scoring rate of 3.9 per over, and India got to the mark only slightly more briskly, in 14 overs, with Soumya Tiwari and G Trisha making 24 apiece.
India won the first Under-19 Women's World Cup - their first World Cup title ever in women's cricket - in one-sided fashion in Potchefstroom. England struggled to a total of 68 in the first innings, at the Test-cricket-like scoring rate of 3.9 per over, and India got to the mark only slightly more briskly, in 14 overs, with Soumya Tiwari and G Trisha making 24 apiece.
2021
South Africa's eighth successive Test loss in the subcontinent, when they were beaten in Karachi on this day. South Africa conceded a first-innings lead of 158, though when their fast bowlers reduced Pakistan to 27 for 4 on day one, it seemed they'd do a lot better. Then came Fawad Alam, playing his eighth Test in nearly a dozen years, who made a hundred from No. 6, and with the tail, took Pakistan to 378. Still, South Africa were not too badly off at 175 for 1 in their second innings on day three, but then they were wrecked by the spinners, debutant Nauman Ali and Yasir Shah, losing nine wickets for 70 runs. No more collapses: Pakistan got to the target of 88 only three down.
South Africa's eighth successive Test loss in the subcontinent, when they were beaten in Karachi on this day. South Africa conceded a first-innings lead of 158, though when their fast bowlers reduced Pakistan to 27 for 4 on day one, it seemed they'd do a lot better. Then came Fawad Alam, playing his eighth Test in nearly a dozen years, who made a hundred from No. 6, and with the tail, took Pakistan to 378. Still, South Africa were not too badly off at 175 for 1 in their second innings on day three, but then they were wrecked by the spinners, debutant Nauman Ali and Yasir Shah, losing nine wickets for 70 runs. No more collapses: Pakistan got to the target of 88 only three down.
1971
One down with two to play, Australia let Dennis Keith Lillee loose for his Test debut, against England in Adelaide. He struck gold immediately, with a first-innings five-for, but England made 470 and bossed the game from there. Ray Illingworth chose not to enforce the follow-on, but Australia lost only three wickets in 115 (eight-ball) overs to secure a comfortable draw.
One down with two to play, Australia let Dennis Keith Lillee loose for his Test debut, against England in Adelaide. He struck gold immediately, with a first-innings five-for, but England made 470 and bossed the game from there. Ray Illingworth chose not to enforce the follow-on, but Australia lost only three wickets in 115 (eight-ball) overs to secure a comfortable draw.
1931
Another Adelaide Test, and another great makes his Test debut. Australia handed a Test cap to Bill "Tiger" O'Reilly, and though his four wickets played second fiddle to Clarrie Grimmett's 14 in this one, he went on to take 144 wickets in a brilliant 27-Test career. As for the match, Australia were comfortable ten-wicket winners, with Don Bradman left stranded on 299. The great man had nobody to blame, though: he ran out last man Pud Thurlow while looking for run No. 300.
Another Adelaide Test, and another great makes his Test debut. Australia handed a Test cap to Bill "Tiger" O'Reilly, and though his four wickets played second fiddle to Clarrie Grimmett's 14 in this one, he went on to take 144 wickets in a brilliant 27-Test career. As for the match, Australia were comfortable ten-wicket winners, with Don Bradman left stranded on 299. The great man had nobody to blame, though: he ran out last man Pud Thurlow while looking for run No. 300.
2016
India Women created history by winning their first bilateral series against Australia in any format, taking the second T20, at the MCG. High on confidence after winning the first game, in Adelaide, by five wickets, India cleaned up the hosts by ten wickets, chasing 66 inside ten overs after rain intervened. Tight bowling and excellent fielding made the victory all the more comprehensive. They couldn't repeat the feat in the one-day series that followed, though, losing 1-2.
India Women created history by winning their first bilateral series against Australia in any format, taking the second T20, at the MCG. High on confidence after winning the first game, in Adelaide, by five wickets, India cleaned up the hosts by ten wickets, chasing 66 inside ten overs after rain intervened. Tight bowling and excellent fielding made the victory all the more comprehensive. They couldn't repeat the feat in the one-day series that followed, though, losing 1-2.
1995
Greg Blewett kicked off his Test career with a glorious century against England in Adelaide. But it so nearly turned into a farce: with Craig McDermott on his way back to the ground from hospital, Blewett had only fellow debutant and arch rabbit Peter McIntyre for company as he homed in on three figures. McIntyre played a blinder, though: his six-ball duck gave Blewett the chance to cut Angus Fraser for two to become the 16th Australian to make a hundred on debut. For good measure Blewett added another in the next Test, and a third in his third Ashes Test, at Edgbaston in 1997.
Greg Blewett kicked off his Test career with a glorious century against England in Adelaide. But it so nearly turned into a farce: with Craig McDermott on his way back to the ground from hospital, Blewett had only fellow debutant and arch rabbit Peter McIntyre for company as he homed in on three figures. McIntyre played a blinder, though: his six-ball duck gave Blewett the chance to cut Angus Fraser for two to become the 16th Australian to make a hundred on debut. For good measure Blewett added another in the next Test, and a third in his third Ashes Test, at Edgbaston in 1997.
2020
India edged a T20I humdinger in Hamilton, where limited-overs colossus Rohit Sharma hit sixes off the last two balls of the Super Over after the teams finished level at the end of the 40 overs. Though Rohit made 65 in his main innings, the defining performance came from Kane Williamson, who lashed 95 but was out when New Zealand were two runs short of the target. Then Mohammed Shami beat new man Tim Seifert twice with short and wide deliveries and bowled Ross Taylor off the last ball of the match to force the tie. A couple of days later, New Zealand lost again in the Super Over, making it their fourth international loss in that fashion in eight months.
India edged a T20I humdinger in Hamilton, where limited-overs colossus Rohit Sharma hit sixes off the last two balls of the Super Over after the teams finished level at the end of the 40 overs. Though Rohit made 65 in his main innings, the defining performance came from Kane Williamson, who lashed 95 but was out when New Zealand were two runs short of the target. Then Mohammed Shami beat new man Tim Seifert twice with short and wide deliveries and bowled Ross Taylor off the last ball of the match to force the tie. A couple of days later, New Zealand lost again in the Super Over, making it their fourth international loss in that fashion in eight months.
1992
More tasty Adelaide fare. This time Australia pipped India by 38 runs in a terrific fourth Test. India needed an unlikely 372 to win, but with Mohammad Azharuddin's revolving door working overtime, they almost got there. At 283 for 6, with Azharuddin and Manoj Prabhakar well set, a shock was on. But Craig McDermott returned to break the partnership and whipped away the tail to take his second five-for of the match. That wasn't the full story, though: 21 wickets fell on the first two days and then only one on the third, as a lively pitch flattened out into the definitive Adelaide shirtfront.
More tasty Adelaide fare. This time Australia pipped India by 38 runs in a terrific fourth Test. India needed an unlikely 372 to win, but with Mohammad Azharuddin's revolving door working overtime, they almost got there. At 283 for 6, with Azharuddin and Manoj Prabhakar well set, a shock was on. But Craig McDermott returned to break the partnership and whipped away the tail to take his second five-for of the match. That wasn't the full story, though: 21 wickets fell on the first two days and then only one on the third, as a lively pitch flattened out into the definitive Adelaide shirtfront.
1969
Another Adelaide classic. Australia's last-wicket pair of Paul Sheahan and Alan Connolly survived the last 26 balls to grab a draw against West Indies, a prospect that had looked unlikely when the Aussies were 304 for 3 chasing 360 to win. But then the middle order was gutted by a series of run-outs (including Ian Redpath, backing up, by Charlie Griffith) and they had to hang on grimly. This in a run fest that produced 1764 runs - a record for Tests in Australia - though strangely nobody scored more than Basil Butcher's 118. There were 17 scores of 50 or more.
Another Adelaide classic. Australia's last-wicket pair of Paul Sheahan and Alan Connolly survived the last 26 balls to grab a draw against West Indies, a prospect that had looked unlikely when the Aussies were 304 for 3 chasing 360 to win. But then the middle order was gutted by a series of run-outs (including Ian Redpath, backing up, by Charlie Griffith) and they had to hang on grimly. This in a run fest that produced 1764 runs - a record for Tests in Australia - though strangely nobody scored more than Basil Butcher's 118. There were 17 scores of 50 or more.
1966
Yet more Adelaide derring-do. Bob Simpson and Bill Lawry cracked an opening partnership of 244 against England to put Australia in charge of the fourth Test. They went on to win the match by an innings, despite scores of 60 and 102 from Ken Barrington, who made his ninth and tenth consecutive first-class fifties on the ground.
Yet more Adelaide derring-do. Bob Simpson and Bill Lawry cracked an opening partnership of 244 against England to put Australia in charge of the fourth Test. They went on to win the match by an innings, despite scores of 60 and 102 from Ken Barrington, who made his ninth and tenth consecutive first-class fifties on the ground.
1996
A comfortable win and a 3-0 sweep for Australia in Adelaide, but the silver lining for Sri Lanka here was an empowering first Test hundred for Sanath Jayasuriya, and in the (then) unfamiliar role of opener too. (The two knocks in this match were the third and fourth times he had opened in a Test.) This Test was also the last of David Boon's career: he finished with 43 and 35. Oh, and Steve Waugh made 170 and 61 not out. Boon's average for the series? Just 362. For good measure, Waugh cleaned Sri Lanka up with 4 for 34 on the final day. No wonder Stuart Law, who replaced the injured Waugh in the first Test, couldn't get another sniff.
A comfortable win and a 3-0 sweep for Australia in Adelaide, but the silver lining for Sri Lanka here was an empowering first Test hundred for Sanath Jayasuriya, and in the (then) unfamiliar role of opener too. (The two knocks in this match were the third and fourth times he had opened in a Test.) This Test was also the last of David Boon's career: he finished with 43 and 35. Oh, and Steve Waugh made 170 and 61 not out. Boon's average for the series? Just 362. For good measure, Waugh cleaned Sri Lanka up with 4 for 34 on the final day. No wonder Stuart Law, who replaced the injured Waugh in the first Test, couldn't get another sniff.
1993
The start of England's disastrous tour of India. Presented with a dust bowl in Calcutta, and with India making no secret of their plan to play three spinners, England coach Keith Fletcher settled on one spinner and four seamers. And what a quartet it was: the two Pauls, Jarvis and Taylor, Devon Malcolm and Chris Lewis. But there was nothing in it for them, and with Ian Salisbury labouring, England's best bowler was Graeme Hick (match figures: 5 for 28). They were never in the game once Mohammad Azharuddin laced 182, and India wrapped up an eight-wicket win on the last day.
The start of England's disastrous tour of India. Presented with a dust bowl in Calcutta, and with India making no secret of their plan to play three spinners, England coach Keith Fletcher settled on one spinner and four seamers. And what a quartet it was: the two Pauls, Jarvis and Taylor, Devon Malcolm and Chris Lewis. But there was nothing in it for them, and with Ian Salisbury labouring, England's best bowler was Graeme Hick (match figures: 5 for 28). They were never in the game once Mohammad Azharuddin laced 182, and India wrapped up an eight-wicket win on the last day.
1975
Set up by a rumbustious 242 not out from their captain, Clive Lloyd, West Indies beat India by 201 runs in the final Test in Bombay to take a thrilling series 3-2. Lance Gibbs took 7 for 98 in the first innings and Vanburn Holder 6 for 39 in the second. West Indies clinched the win in the afternoon session on the final day.
Set up by a rumbustious 242 not out from their captain, Clive Lloyd, West Indies beat India by 201 runs in the final Test in Bombay to take a thrilling series 3-2. Lance Gibbs took 7 for 98 in the first innings and Vanburn Holder 6 for 39 in the second. West Indies clinched the win in the afternoon session on the final day.
Other birthdays
1854 Vernon Royle (England)
1896 Teddy Hoad (West Indies)
1926 Bob Berry (England)
1958 Ole Mortensen (Denmark)
1970 Eric Gouka (Netherlands)
1972 Simon Cook (Australia)
1979 Mfuneko Ngam (South Africa)
1981 Kaushalya Weeraratne (Sri Lanka)
1854 Vernon Royle (England)
1896 Teddy Hoad (West Indies)
1926 Bob Berry (England)
1958 Ole Mortensen (Denmark)
1970 Eric Gouka (Netherlands)
1972 Simon Cook (Australia)
1979 Mfuneko Ngam (South Africa)
1981 Kaushalya Weeraratne (Sri Lanka)