August 4 down the years
The bare necessities
"It's a freaker!"
The day a streaker stormed the Home of Cricket • Getty Images
1975
The day Michael Angelow entered cricket history. The second Test between England and Australia at Lord's was drifting towards stalemate and the hot sun had left the crowd snoozing when Angelow, a ship's cook, fuelled by five hours in the Tavern, removed his clothes on a bet and headed towards the square. The bemused players stopped and smiled as he athletically hurdled the stumps at the Nursery End before sauntering off to the Mound Stand, where he was arrested. He was subsequently fined £10 by a magistrate's court - the same amount that his bet had earned him. On the BBC's Test Match Special, the legendary radio commentator John Arlott showed he hadn't quite grasped what this new phenomenon was called, shouting gleefully, "It's a freaker."
The day Michael Angelow entered cricket history. The second Test between England and Australia at Lord's was drifting towards stalemate and the hot sun had left the crowd snoozing when Angelow, a ship's cook, fuelled by five hours in the Tavern, removed his clothes on a bet and headed towards the square. The bemused players stopped and smiled as he athletically hurdled the stumps at the Nursery End before sauntering off to the Mound Stand, where he was arrested. He was subsequently fined £10 by a magistrate's court - the same amount that his bet had earned him. On the BBC's Test Match Special, the legendary radio commentator John Arlott showed he hadn't quite grasped what this new phenomenon was called, shouting gleefully, "It's a freaker."
1886
In a club match at Hampstead, Andrew Stoddart broke the world record for the highest individual score at the time, making 485 against the Stoics. Stoddart had not been to bed the night before, playing cards until dawn and then going for a swim to freshen up. And even after his innings he was still fired up, opting for a game of tennis, a meal and then the theatre.
In a club match at Hampstead, Andrew Stoddart broke the world record for the highest individual score at the time, making 485 against the Stoics. Stoddart had not been to bed the night before, playing cards until dawn and then going for a swim to freshen up. And even after his innings he was still fired up, opting for a game of tennis, a meal and then the theatre.
1976
Another first at Lord's, when women were allowed to play on the main square for the first time. England won the limited-overs match against Australia by eight wickets, and media attention was considerable. However, the MCC didn't allow women into the pavilion (although they made an exception for the players). That was to take another 22 years.
Another first at Lord's, when women were allowed to play on the main square for the first time. England won the limited-overs match against Australia by eight wickets, and media attention was considerable. However, the MCC didn't allow women into the pavilion (although they made an exception for the players). That was to take another 22 years.
2018
Virat Kohli and India's bowlers brought the side close to gaining a series lead in a see-sawing first Test, at Edgbaston, but Ben Stokes was having none of that: he dismissed Kohli, who had scored a memorably gritty 149 in the first innings, when India needed 53 to win. The last three wickets could only add 21 more runs. For England, Sam Curran, just one Test old, made a decisive 63 in the second innings, 24 in the first, and took five wickets in the Test. India's batters, other than Kohli, failed in both innings - Kohli made 200 runs in the match, the rest of the line-up made 214.
Virat Kohli and India's bowlers brought the side close to gaining a series lead in a see-sawing first Test, at Edgbaston, but Ben Stokes was having none of that: he dismissed Kohli, who had scored a memorably gritty 149 in the first innings, when India needed 53 to win. The last three wickets could only add 21 more runs. For England, Sam Curran, just one Test old, made a decisive 63 in the second innings, 24 in the first, and took five wickets in the Test. India's batters, other than Kohli, failed in both innings - Kohli made 200 runs in the match, the rest of the line-up made 214.
2001
A record seven in a row for Australia, who regained the Ashes with victory at Trent Bridge. Chasing 158 to win, the Aussies were wobbling slightly at 89 for 3, effectively 89 for 4 as Steve Waugh had been stretchered off (to widespread laughter and merriment). The icy manner in which Mark Waugh and Damien Martyn closed the deal - adding 70 in 11 overs without breaking sweat - shut everyone up.
A record seven in a row for Australia, who regained the Ashes with victory at Trent Bridge. Chasing 158 to win, the Aussies were wobbling slightly at 89 for 3, effectively 89 for 4 as Steve Waugh had been stretchered off (to widespread laughter and merriment). The icy manner in which Mark Waugh and Damien Martyn closed the deal - adding 70 in 11 overs without breaking sweat - shut everyone up.
2020
Shades of the famous 2011 World Cup Bangalore win when Ireland beat England by seven wickets in the third ODI, in Southampton. They were chasing 329 - the same score they managed to overhaul nine years before - and were taken over the finish line by the hero of that triumph, Kevin O'Brien. However, the foundations of this victory were laid by centuries from Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie. England's total was also set up an Irishman, their captain, Eoin Morgan, who hit an 84-ball 106 and led a middle-order recovery with a century stand with Tom Banton. It was Ireland's first ODI win over a major team since the 2015 World Cup, although it came in a dead rubber.
Shades of the famous 2011 World Cup Bangalore win when Ireland beat England by seven wickets in the third ODI, in Southampton. They were chasing 329 - the same score they managed to overhaul nine years before - and were taken over the finish line by the hero of that triumph, Kevin O'Brien. However, the foundations of this victory were laid by centuries from Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie. England's total was also set up an Irishman, their captain, Eoin Morgan, who hit an 84-ball 106 and led a middle-order recovery with a century stand with Tom Banton. It was Ireland's first ODI win over a major team since the 2015 World Cup, although it came in a dead rubber.
1994
In his first innings for England since he'd been caught with dirt in his pocket, Mike Atherton ground out a bloody-minded 99 against South Africa at Headingley. In a way, it was more memorable because he fell just short of the fairy-tale century, when he was caught-and-bowled by Brian McMillan. The day was also memorable for another comeback innings: a blistering 72 from Graham Thorpe, who shoved aside the nonsense of his omission for the summer's first four Tests with the first of the roasting counterattacks that he would go on to patent. Thorpe's innings turned the series. Thrashed in the first Test, England, Atherton included, had been on the back foot until Thorpe came to the crease. Once he got going, they never looked back, and pummelled South Africa to square the series in the final Test at The Oval.
In his first innings for England since he'd been caught with dirt in his pocket, Mike Atherton ground out a bloody-minded 99 against South Africa at Headingley. In a way, it was more memorable because he fell just short of the fairy-tale century, when he was caught-and-bowled by Brian McMillan. The day was also memorable for another comeback innings: a blistering 72 from Graham Thorpe, who shoved aside the nonsense of his omission for the summer's first four Tests with the first of the roasting counterattacks that he would go on to patent. Thorpe's innings turned the series. Thrashed in the first Test, England, Atherton included, had been on the back foot until Thorpe came to the crease. Once he got going, they never looked back, and pummelled South Africa to square the series in the final Test at The Oval.
1967
Death of Essex legspinner Peter Smith. After receiving a hoax telegram telling him to report for a Test match in 1933, he finally played in his first 13 years later. He took only three wickets in his four Tests but achieved his own brand of fame: as the last player with a moustache to be capped by England until Graham Gooch in 1975.
Death of Essex legspinner Peter Smith. After receiving a hoax telegram telling him to report for a Test match in 1933, he finally played in his first 13 years later. He took only three wickets in his four Tests but achieved his own brand of fame: as the last player with a moustache to be capped by England until Graham Gooch in 1975.
1902
Birth of Clarence Passailague, who played one Test for West Indies but is best remembered for an unbroken partnership of 487 with the great George Headley for Jamaica against Lord Tennyson's XI in 1931-32. Passailaigue made 260 not out in what is still the highest sixth-wicket stand in first-class cricket.
Birth of Clarence Passailague, who played one Test for West Indies but is best remembered for an unbroken partnership of 487 with the great George Headley for Jamaica against Lord Tennyson's XI in 1931-32. Passailaigue made 260 not out in what is still the highest sixth-wicket stand in first-class cricket.
1919
Death of the first winning captain in international cricket. Dave Gregory led Australia to victory in the very first Test, against England in 1876-77. His brother Ned, who won his only cap in the same match, was the first player to make a duck in Test cricket.
Death of the first winning captain in international cricket. Dave Gregory led Australia to victory in the very first Test, against England in 1876-77. His brother Ned, who won his only cap in the same match, was the first player to make a duck in Test cricket.
1931
Wicketkeeper Naren Tamhane was born. One of the best to play for India, he made five dismissals in his debut Test, against Pakistan in 1954-55, and went on to play in 21 Tests, making 51 dismissals, including 16 stumpings.
Wicketkeeper Naren Tamhane was born. One of the best to play for India, he made five dismissals in his debut Test, against Pakistan in 1954-55, and went on to play in 21 Tests, making 51 dismissals, including 16 stumpings.
1927
Fast-medium bowler Maurice Allom took eight wickets for Free Foresters, including a batter called Hamburger, to dismiss North Holland for 77 and win the match by an innings and one run. Allom later took 14 wickets in five Tests for England, four of them in five balls on his debut, including a hat-trick, against New Zealand in Christchurch in 1929-30. It was New Zealand's first Test match.
Fast-medium bowler Maurice Allom took eight wickets for Free Foresters, including a batter called Hamburger, to dismiss North Holland for 77 and win the match by an innings and one run. Allom later took 14 wickets in five Tests for England, four of them in five balls on his debut, including a hat-trick, against New Zealand in Christchurch in 1929-30. It was New Zealand's first Test match.
1979
South African left-arm spinner Robin Peterson, born today, holds the dubious honour of being the bowler off whom Brian Lara took a record 28 runs off an over in the Johannesburg Test of 2003. Apart from a Test five-for against Bangladesh in 2008, Peterson struggled, and Paul Harris and Johan Botha took the spinners' spots. Peterson signed with Derbyshire as a Kolpak not expecting to return to South African colours, but he played the 2011 World Cup, where he produced a match-winning innings against India, three wickets against England, and ended the tournament as South Africa's leading wicket-taker.
South African left-arm spinner Robin Peterson, born today, holds the dubious honour of being the bowler off whom Brian Lara took a record 28 runs off an over in the Johannesburg Test of 2003. Apart from a Test five-for against Bangladesh in 2008, Peterson struggled, and Paul Harris and Johan Botha took the spinners' spots. Peterson signed with Derbyshire as a Kolpak not expecting to return to South African colours, but he played the 2011 World Cup, where he produced a match-winning innings against India, three wickets against England, and ended the tournament as South Africa's leading wicket-taker.
Other birthdays
1825 Arthur Haygarth (England)
1865 Gus Kempis (South Africa)
1970 Steven Jack (South Africa)
1980 Richard Dawson (England)
1999 Rahul Chahar (India)
1825 Arthur Haygarth (England)
1865 Gus Kempis (South Africa)
1970 Steven Jack (South Africa)
1980 Richard Dawson (England)
1999 Rahul Chahar (India)