August 7 down the years
Cliffhanger of the century
Edgbaston '05
Andrew Flintoff consoled Brett Lee after England sneaked home by just two runs • Getty Images
2005
The nerve-shredder to end all nerve-shredders, and the culmination of one of the closest and greatest Tests of all time. Despite a brilliant all-round performance from Andrew Flintoff, the fourth day dawned with Australia needing 107 more runs with two wickets standing. Shane Warne and Brett Lee reduced the requirement to double figures before Lee and Michael Kasprowicz added 59 of the most heroic tail-end runs in history. A sense of grim inevitability enveloped a previously buoyant ground, but there was one late twist in store. Steve Harmison crashed a desperate bouncer into Kasprowicz's glove, and Geraint Jones took a tumbling catch behind the stumps to seal a series-turning two-run victory. The defining image belonged to Flintoff, who broke off the celebrations to console a crestfallen Lee, whose unbeaten 43 had been an innings of extreme heroism.
The nerve-shredder to end all nerve-shredders, and the culmination of one of the closest and greatest Tests of all time. Despite a brilliant all-round performance from Andrew Flintoff, the fourth day dawned with Australia needing 107 more runs with two wickets standing. Shane Warne and Brett Lee reduced the requirement to double figures before Lee and Michael Kasprowicz added 59 of the most heroic tail-end runs in history. A sense of grim inevitability enveloped a previously buoyant ground, but there was one late twist in store. Steve Harmison crashed a desperate bouncer into Kasprowicz's glove, and Geraint Jones took a tumbling catch behind the stumps to seal a series-turning two-run victory. The defining image belonged to Flintoff, who broke off the celebrations to console a crestfallen Lee, whose unbeaten 43 had been an innings of extreme heroism.
1948
Birth of one of the great Test batters. Greg Chappell's 7110 Test runs were scored at an average of 53.86 and with a smoothness that disguised his competitive steel. His on-drive was one of the great shots. He and his brother Ian both captained Australia with plenty of success; Greg scored twin centuries on his captaincy debut, and among the major highlights of his career were his two SuperTest centuries in Trinidad and Guyana (he made 621 runs in five games) against an attack that included Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Colin Croft, Joel Garner and Wayne Daniel. After retirement he went into coaching - his most notable stint was his stormy tenure with the Indian national team in the mid-2000s.
Birth of one of the great Test batters. Greg Chappell's 7110 Test runs were scored at an average of 53.86 and with a smoothness that disguised his competitive steel. His on-drive was one of the great shots. He and his brother Ian both captained Australia with plenty of success; Greg scored twin centuries on his captaincy debut, and among the major highlights of his career were his two SuperTest centuries in Trinidad and Guyana (he made 621 runs in five games) against an attack that included Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Colin Croft, Joel Garner and Wayne Daniel. After retirement he went into coaching - his most notable stint was his stormy tenure with the Indian national team in the mid-2000s.
1971
Feisty England seamer Dominic Cork was born. He took 7 for 43 in his debut Test, at Lord's, against West Indies in 1995, and his hat-trick later in the series was the first by an England bowler in a Test since Peter Loader's in 1957.
Feisty England seamer Dominic Cork was born. He took 7 for 43 in his debut Test, at Lord's, against West Indies in 1995, and his hat-trick later in the series was the first by an England bowler in a Test since Peter Loader's in 1957.
1987
Master batter Javed Miandad completed one of his six double-centuries in Test cricket. During his 260 at The Oval he became the first to score 6000 Test runs for Pakistan, whose total of 708, their highest ever, was more than enough to draw the match and clinch the series.
Master batter Javed Miandad completed one of his six double-centuries in Test cricket. During his 260 at The Oval he became the first to score 6000 Test runs for Pakistan, whose total of 708, their highest ever, was more than enough to draw the match and clinch the series.
1973
Death of a great allrounder. Jack Gregory's fast bowling terrorised England's batters in the early 1920s - and he still holds two major Test records: a century in 70 minutes in Johannesburg in 1921-22, and 15 catches in the 1920-21 series against England.
Death of a great allrounder. Jack Gregory's fast bowling terrorised England's batters in the early 1920s - and he still holds two major Test records: a century in 70 minutes in Johannesburg in 1921-22, and 15 catches in the 1920-21 series against England.
2010
India successfully chased 257 - their fourth-highest Test target at the time - largely thanks to VVS Laxman's unbeaten century, scored under pressure and with a back injury. The win helped India draw the series against Sri Lanka at the P Sara Oval. They looked shaky when they fell to 62 for 4 on the final day, but Laxman's 109-run stand with Sachin Tendulkar steadied them. After Tendulkar's dismissal, Suresh Raina provided the support Laxman needed to see India through.
India successfully chased 257 - their fourth-highest Test target at the time - largely thanks to VVS Laxman's unbeaten century, scored under pressure and with a back injury. The win helped India draw the series against Sri Lanka at the P Sara Oval. They looked shaky when they fell to 62 for 4 on the final day, but Laxman's 109-run stand with Sachin Tendulkar steadied them. After Tendulkar's dismissal, Suresh Raina provided the support Laxman needed to see India through.
1980
Birth of Zimbabwe batter Dion Ebrahim, who made his Test debut in 2001. After a shaky start, he made three scores of 71 in the space of four Tests and followed that with 94 against India in 2002. In the turmoil that followed the sacking of Heath Streak in 2004, Ebrahim was made vice-captain, but he was a high-profile casualty of the dispute between players and the board at the end of 2005. He left to play club cricket in England but returned to domestic cricket in Zimbabwe in 2009.
Birth of Zimbabwe batter Dion Ebrahim, who made his Test debut in 2001. After a shaky start, he made three scores of 71 in the space of four Tests and followed that with 94 against India in 2002. In the turmoil that followed the sacking of Heath Streak in 2004, Ebrahim was made vice-captain, but he was a high-profile casualty of the dispute between players and the board at the end of 2005. He left to play club cricket in England but returned to domestic cricket in Zimbabwe in 2009.
1986
The first Bangladeshi to have his name on the Lord's honours board is born. Shahadat Hossain was a promising fast bowler with a smooth run-up and open-chested action. His Test debut at Lord's in 2005 was a chastening experience - he conceded 101 runs in just 12 overs - but his second visit in 2010, when he nabbed 5 for 98, was a memorable affair. Hossain was also the first Bangladeshi to take a hat-trick in ODIs, which he achieved against Zimbabwe in 2006.
The first Bangladeshi to have his name on the Lord's honours board is born. Shahadat Hossain was a promising fast bowler with a smooth run-up and open-chested action. His Test debut at Lord's in 2005 was a chastening experience - he conceded 101 runs in just 12 overs - but his second visit in 2010, when he nabbed 5 for 98, was a memorable affair. Hossain was also the first Bangladeshi to take a hat-trick in ODIs, which he achieved against Zimbabwe in 2006.
1879
One of South Africa's fastest bowlers was born. JJ "Kodgee" Kotze took only six Test wickets at 40.50, but most of the bowling was done by googly bowlers at the time. His long run-up and strong body action frightened a lot of batter, and he could maintain his pace for long spells. He took a hat-trick twice, and 8 for 18 for Western Province v Griqualand West in 1902-03.
One of South Africa's fastest bowlers was born. JJ "Kodgee" Kotze took only six Test wickets at 40.50, but most of the bowling was done by googly bowlers at the time. His long run-up and strong body action frightened a lot of batter, and he could maintain his pace for long spells. He took a hat-trick twice, and 8 for 18 for Western Province v Griqualand West in 1902-03.
1937
England slow left-armer Don Wilson was born. He played in only six Tests (1963-64 to 1970-71) but took 1189 first-class wickets before becoming the MCC's head coach at Lord's.
England slow left-armer Don Wilson was born. He played in only six Tests (1963-64 to 1970-71) but took 1189 first-class wickets before becoming the MCC's head coach at Lord's.
2017
England beat South Africa by 177 runs in the fourth Test, at Old Trafford, to march to a 3-1 series win in Joe Root's first series as captain. Moeen Ali was the star of the show, scoring a crucial 75 not out in the second innings to swell South Africa's target to 380, before derailing their chase with figures of 5 for 69. Moeen thereby became the ninth player to score 250 runs and take 25 wickets in a Test series, and England broke a 19-year drought in home Test series against South Africa.
England beat South Africa by 177 runs in the fourth Test, at Old Trafford, to march to a 3-1 series win in Joe Root's first series as captain. Moeen Ali was the star of the show, scoring a crucial 75 not out in the second innings to swell South Africa's target to 380, before derailing their chase with figures of 5 for 69. Moeen thereby became the ninth player to score 250 runs and take 25 wickets in a Test series, and England broke a 19-year drought in home Test series against South Africa.