April 13 down the years
The star who turned traitor
Mohammad Amir flatters to betray
Mohammad Amir: a dazzling talent who went over to the dark side • PA Photos
1992
The birth of a left-arm fast bowler who in a matter of a year went from being one of the brightest prospects on the world stage to a cricketer mired in the shame of spot-fixing. Mohammad Amir, who made his international debut at 17, could bowl in the high 80mphs and was crucial in Pakistan's title run during the World T20 in 2009. His Test career got off to a relatively sedate start but he soon made up, and during the 2010 tour to England he became the youngest bowler, at 18, to take 50 Test wickets. But it all came crashing down when it was alleged he had bowled deliberate no-balls in a Test at Lord's. In February 2011 he was handed a five-year ban following investigations by an ICC tribunal. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to six months in prison but was released after serving half the sentence. In 2016, Amir returned in all formats for Pakistan and made frequent appearances across formats through to 2019. Though he wasn't quite the bowler of old, he wasn't too far off the mark either: he took nine wickets in three Tests in his first series back, in England; seven in two matches in New Zealand; and 13 in three in a series win for Pakistan in the West Indies in 2017. In the 2019 World Cup, he took 17 wickets in his eight games at 21 apiece.
The birth of a left-arm fast bowler who in a matter of a year went from being one of the brightest prospects on the world stage to a cricketer mired in the shame of spot-fixing. Mohammad Amir, who made his international debut at 17, could bowl in the high 80mphs and was crucial in Pakistan's title run during the World T20 in 2009. His Test career got off to a relatively sedate start but he soon made up, and during the 2010 tour to England he became the youngest bowler, at 18, to take 50 Test wickets. But it all came crashing down when it was alleged he had bowled deliberate no-balls in a Test at Lord's. In February 2011 he was handed a five-year ban following investigations by an ICC tribunal. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to six months in prison but was released after serving half the sentence. In 2016, Amir returned in all formats for Pakistan and made frequent appearances across formats through to 2019. Though he wasn't quite the bowler of old, he wasn't too far off the mark either: he took nine wickets in three Tests in his first series back, in England; seven in two matches in New Zealand; and 13 in three in a series win for Pakistan in the West Indies in 2017. In the 2019 World Cup, he took 17 wickets in his eight games at 21 apiece.
1994
The day England stormed the Bridgetown fortress with an amazing performance that came only a couple of weeks after their 46-all-out Trinidad humiliation, and on a ground where West Indies had not lost for 59 years. There was Alec Stewart's pair of hundreds, Angus Fraser's heroic eight-for, Graham Thorpe's selfless 84, and Phil Tufnell's running catch to dismiss Brian Lara. After four and a half days of domination, the most unlikely of England's many unlikely 1990s victories was completed when Chris Lewis castled a furious Curtly Ambrose.
The day England stormed the Bridgetown fortress with an amazing performance that came only a couple of weeks after their 46-all-out Trinidad humiliation, and on a ground where West Indies had not lost for 59 years. There was Alec Stewart's pair of hundreds, Angus Fraser's heroic eight-for, Graham Thorpe's selfless 84, and Phil Tufnell's running catch to dismiss Brian Lara. After four and a half days of domination, the most unlikely of England's many unlikely 1990s victories was completed when Chris Lewis castled a furious Curtly Ambrose.
1971
A mix-up at the start of the fifth Test between West Indies and India in Trinidad, when both captains, Garry Sobers and Ajit Wadekar, thought they had won the toss. Both wanted to bat first, but Sobers eventually relented. He might have wished he hadn't once Sunil Gavaskar starting showing him the maker's name: Gavaskar made 124 and 220 to take his tally for the series to 774 at an average of 154.80. All this in his first series as a Test player.
A mix-up at the start of the fifth Test between West Indies and India in Trinidad, when both captains, Garry Sobers and Ajit Wadekar, thought they had won the toss. Both wanted to bat first, but Sobers eventually relented. He might have wished he hadn't once Sunil Gavaskar starting showing him the maker's name: Gavaskar made 124 and 220 to take his tally for the series to 774 at an average of 154.80. All this in his first series as a Test player.
1984
The first Asia Cup was won by India on this day. The inaugural tournament had just three matches - Pakistan and India beat Sri Lanka in the first two and played the final. Opener Surinder Khanna hit a career-best 56 and India reached 188 in 46 overs. Pakistan started well and were still in with a chance at 125 for 4 when they lost three wickets in three balls - Qasim Umar was caught off Roger Binny, and Shahid Mahboob and Abdul Qadir were run out. Nine runs later they were all out in the 40th over.
The first Asia Cup was won by India on this day. The inaugural tournament had just three matches - Pakistan and India beat Sri Lanka in the first two and played the final. Opener Surinder Khanna hit a career-best 56 and India reached 188 in 46 overs. Pakistan started well and were still in with a chance at 125 for 4 when they lost three wickets in three balls - Qasim Umar was caught off Roger Binny, and Shahid Mahboob and Abdul Qadir were run out. Nine runs later they were all out in the 40th over.
1962
Another West Indies-India contest, and a sensational start to Lester King's Test career, in Jamaica. After West Indies struggled to 253, King took five wickets in his first four overs to leave India in disarray at 33 for 5. He added two more in the second innings, but thanks mainly to the excellence of Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith, he played only one more Test, against England in Guyana almost six years later.
Another West Indies-India contest, and a sensational start to Lester King's Test career, in Jamaica. After West Indies struggled to 253, King took five wickets in his first four overs to leave India in disarray at 33 for 5. He added two more in the second innings, but thanks mainly to the excellence of Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith, he played only one more Test, against England in Guyana almost six years later.
1867
A jack of all trades is born. Allrounder Sammy Woods played Test cricket for both England and Australia, and also won 13 rugby caps for England. He played his three Tests for Australia in England in 1888, while still an undergraduate at Cambridge University. He also once bowled unchanged throughout both innings with FS Jackson for Gentlemen against Players, at Lord's in 1894. Woods was a legendary figure in Somerset, for whom he played for 21 years. He died in Taunton in 1931.
A jack of all trades is born. Allrounder Sammy Woods played Test cricket for both England and Australia, and also won 13 rugby caps for England. He played his three Tests for Australia in England in 1888, while still an undergraduate at Cambridge University. He also once bowled unchanged throughout both innings with FS Jackson for Gentlemen against Players, at Lord's in 1894. Woods was a legendary figure in Somerset, for whom he played for 21 years. He died in Taunton in 1931.
1994
An inaugural one-day international for the United Arab Emirates. They took their bow in the Austral-Asia Cup in Sharjah, and were beaten by 71 runs by India . Ten of the UAE team were recent immigrants from the Indian subcontinent; one of them, Mazhar Hussain, made a brisk 70, their first half-century. Sultan Zarawani, their only native-born player, captained the side.
An inaugural one-day international for the United Arab Emirates. They took their bow in the Austral-Asia Cup in Sharjah, and were beaten by 71 runs by India . Ten of the UAE team were recent immigrants from the Indian subcontinent; one of them, Mazhar Hussain, made a brisk 70, their first half-century. Sultan Zarawani, their only native-born player, captained the side.
Other birthdays
1906 Samuel Beckett (Ireland)
1912 Morris Sievers (Australia)
1938 Jack Potter (Australia)
1943 Peter Coman (New Zealand)
1976 Everton Matambanadzo (Zimbabwe)
1976 Darlington Matambanadzo (Zimbabwe)
1983 Kris Britt (Australia)
1906 Samuel Beckett (Ireland)
1912 Morris Sievers (Australia)
1938 Jack Potter (Australia)
1943 Peter Coman (New Zealand)
1976 Everton Matambanadzo (Zimbabwe)
1976 Darlington Matambanadzo (Zimbabwe)
1983 Kris Britt (Australia)