June 11 down the years
Saqlain's hat-trick
Only the second man to get three in three balls twice
Saqlain Mushtaq's was the second hat-trick in World Cups • Martyn Hayhow/Getty Images
1999
A World Cup hat-trick for Saqlain Mushtaq, as Pakistan thrashed Zimbabwe by 148 runs in the Super Six match at The Oval. Given the men he dismissed, it's one he might remember quite sheepishly: Henry Olonga (one-day international average: 4.36), Adam Huckle (2.25), and Pommie Mbangwa (4.71) were never in danger of doing much tail-wagging. But a World Cup hat-trick is a World Cup hat-trick: this was only the second, and Saqqy also became the second man (Wasim Akram was the first) to take two hat-tricks in ODIs.
A World Cup hat-trick for Saqlain Mushtaq, as Pakistan thrashed Zimbabwe by 148 runs in the Super Six match at The Oval. Given the men he dismissed, it's one he might remember quite sheepishly: Henry Olonga (one-day international average: 4.36), Adam Huckle (2.25), and Pommie Mbangwa (4.71) were never in danger of doing much tail-wagging. But a World Cup hat-trick is a World Cup hat-trick: this was only the second, and Saqqy also became the second man (Wasim Akram was the first) to take two hat-tricks in ODIs.
1939
Birth of England's most famous women's cricketer. Rachael Heyhoe-Flint hit the first six in women's Test history - against Australia at The Oval in 1963 - and was a fine batsman and captain of her country. But her real contribution came in bringing women's cricket into the public eye. She helped organise the inaugural World Cup in 1973 - and then lifted the trophy when England won it. A year earlier she had been awarded the MBE. Heyhoe-Flint, who also played hockey for England, was a key campaigner in women being allowed membership of MCC.
Birth of England's most famous women's cricketer. Rachael Heyhoe-Flint hit the first six in women's Test history - against Australia at The Oval in 1963 - and was a fine batsman and captain of her country. But her real contribution came in bringing women's cricket into the public eye. She helped organise the inaugural World Cup in 1973 - and then lifted the trophy when England won it. A year earlier she had been awarded the MBE. Heyhoe-Flint, who also played hockey for England, was a key campaigner in women being allowed membership of MCC.
2023
Australia won the World Test Championship final by an emphatic 209 runs, beating India, who made it to their second final in a row with no silverware to show for it. India made a promising start, putting Australia in and picking off Usman Khawaja, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne early on the first day, but their bowling plans then went awry. Steve Smith and Travis Head both dug in with hundreds and a 285-run partnership. None of India's top order went past 15, but they managed a total of 296, thanks to Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur. The fourth-innings target of 444 proved too big a hurdle; India needed 280 on the final day with seven wickets in hand, but the match was all but done after Scott Boland prised out Virat Kohli and Jadeja in the space of three balls. Australia were champions by lunch, becoming the first side to win every one of the ICC's major men's trophies.
Australia won the World Test Championship final by an emphatic 209 runs, beating India, who made it to their second final in a row with no silverware to show for it. India made a promising start, putting Australia in and picking off Usman Khawaja, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne early on the first day, but their bowling plans then went awry. Steve Smith and Travis Head both dug in with hundreds and a 285-run partnership. None of India's top order went past 15, but they managed a total of 296, thanks to Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur. The fourth-innings target of 444 proved too big a hurdle; India needed 280 on the final day with seven wickets in hand, but the match was all but done after Scott Boland prised out Virat Kohli and Jadeja in the space of three balls. Australia were champions by lunch, becoming the first side to win every one of the ICC's major men's trophies.
1907
Three weeks after being bowled out for 60 and 39 by Kent, Northamptonshire were skittled for 12 in 40 minutes by Gloucestershire at Gloucester. It remains the lowest score in county cricket and the third lowest of all time. George Dennett was the destroyer, with 8 for 9 (all eight wickets came for three runs), and he took 7 for 12 in Northants' second innings. They held on for a draw, however.
Three weeks after being bowled out for 60 and 39 by Kent, Northamptonshire were skittled for 12 in 40 minutes by Gloucestershire at Gloucester. It remains the lowest score in county cricket and the third lowest of all time. George Dennett was the destroyer, with 8 for 9 (all eight wickets came for three runs), and he took 7 for 12 in Northants' second innings. They held on for a draw, however.
2008
The arrival of English cricket's sugar daddy. When Allen Stanford landed his sleek black helicopter on the hallowed turf of Lord's, flanked by a cortege of West Indian legends and greeted with presidential pomp and ceremony by the ECB, the intended message was that nothing in the game would ever be the same again. Minutes later Stanford unveiled a Perspex box containing US$20 million, the sum of money that would be up for grabs in the first of five winner-takes-all "20/20 for 20s" in Antigua in November that year. It all seemed a bit unreal, and sure enough, it was: Stanford was arrested for fraud to the tune of millions of dollars early in 2009.
The arrival of English cricket's sugar daddy. When Allen Stanford landed his sleek black helicopter on the hallowed turf of Lord's, flanked by a cortege of West Indian legends and greeted with presidential pomp and ceremony by the ECB, the intended message was that nothing in the game would ever be the same again. Minutes later Stanford unveiled a Perspex box containing US$20 million, the sum of money that would be up for grabs in the first of five winner-takes-all "20/20 for 20s" in Antigua in November that year. It all seemed a bit unreal, and sure enough, it was: Stanford was arrested for fraud to the tune of millions of dollars early in 2009.
1951
A Calypso allrounder is born. Collis King could be an absolutely devastating hitter on his day. His coronation came in the World Cup final of 1979, when he flayed England all round Lord's in a breathtaking 66-ball 86, having come to the crease with West Indies in trouble. His career was effectively finished after he was banned for going on a rebel tour to South Africa in 1983-84. He also played for Glamorgan and Worcestershire.
A Calypso allrounder is born. Collis King could be an absolutely devastating hitter on his day. His coronation came in the World Cup final of 1979, when he flayed England all round Lord's in a breathtaking 66-ball 86, having come to the crease with West Indies in trouble. His career was effectively finished after he was banned for going on a rebel tour to South Africa in 1983-84. He also played for Glamorgan and Worcestershire.
1971
Many cricketers have a mid-life crisis, in the course of which they reinvent themselves, but nobody can match New Zealand's efficient, un-fussy opener Mark Richardson, who was born today. When Richardson began his first-class career with Auckland, he was a left-arm spinner who batted No. 10. But after suffering an attack of the yips, he concentrated on his batting to increasingly good effect. He was 30 when he made his Test debut, scored 99 in his second Test, and his first of four hundreds against Pakistan in Hamilton in 2001. Richardson retired in 2004, having played 38 Tests and scored at an average of 44.7. His after-match challenges to the opposition's slowest runner were popular, and he often contested them in a beige lycra jumpsuit.
Many cricketers have a mid-life crisis, in the course of which they reinvent themselves, but nobody can match New Zealand's efficient, un-fussy opener Mark Richardson, who was born today. When Richardson began his first-class career with Auckland, he was a left-arm spinner who batted No. 10. But after suffering an attack of the yips, he concentrated on his batting to increasingly good effect. He was 30 when he made his Test debut, scored 99 in his second Test, and his first of four hundreds against Pakistan in Hamilton in 2001. Richardson retired in 2004, having played 38 Tests and scored at an average of 44.7. His after-match challenges to the opposition's slowest runner were popular, and he often contested them in a beige lycra jumpsuit.
1927
Pelham Warner made the first ball-by-ball radio broadcast from Lord's on the first day of the match between Middlesex and Nottinghamshire. The BBC had asked for a perch in the pavilion, but instead were stuck next to the clock at the Nursery End. The experiment was deemed a success and was repeated for Eton v Harrow and Oxford v Cambridge, two games of social, if not general, importance.
Pelham Warner made the first ball-by-ball radio broadcast from Lord's on the first day of the match between Middlesex and Nottinghamshire. The BBC had asked for a perch in the pavilion, but instead were stuck next to the clock at the Nursery End. The experiment was deemed a success and was repeated for Eton v Harrow and Oxford v Cambridge, two games of social, if not general, importance.
1983
More World Cup offspinning derring-do. It's a slightly odd stat that Vic Marks is the only English spinner to take two ODI five-fors, as he only ever took one for Somerset. The first came on this day against Sri Lanka on his home ground, in Taunton. After David Gower smacked five sixes in a brilliant 130, Marks flighted his way to 5 for 39 as England won comfortably.
More World Cup offspinning derring-do. It's a slightly odd stat that Vic Marks is the only English spinner to take two ODI five-fors, as he only ever took one for Somerset. The first came on this day against Sri Lanka on his home ground, in Taunton. After David Gower smacked five sixes in a brilliant 130, Marks flighted his way to 5 for 39 as England won comfortably.
1954
Birth of the dogged Australian opener John Dyson, who had the misfortune to make his maiden Test century in one of his country's most spectacular defeats - at Headingley in 1981. In all, Dyson played 30 Tests, but an average of 26 did him a Ramprakashian injustice. He was also famous for a succession of breathtaking outfield catches for New South Wales. He later took to coaching, working with Sri Lanka and then with West Indies.
Birth of the dogged Australian opener John Dyson, who had the misfortune to make his maiden Test century in one of his country's most spectacular defeats - at Headingley in 1981. In all, Dyson played 30 Tests, but an average of 26 did him a Ramprakashian injustice. He was also famous for a succession of breathtaking outfield catches for New South Wales. He later took to coaching, working with Sri Lanka and then with West Indies.
1987
After captaining South Africa Under-19s at the 2006 World Cup and showing much promise in his formative years, Dean Elgar, born today, had to wait his turn at the senior level. He was given a maiden ODI call-up in 2011, and debuted in Tests in November 2012, against Australia in Perth, and registered a pair. By 2014, though, he had become a regular in the line-up. During his 118 against England at Kingsmead in 2015, he became the sixth South African to carry his bat in a Test innings. Elgar hit a bit of a purple patch in Tests in 2016-17, when he made three fifties and two hundreds in six innings. In 2017, South Africa lost their first series in England since 1998, but Elgar chipped in with two fifties and a hundred, and his good form continued in the home season that followed, against India and Australia.
After captaining South Africa Under-19s at the 2006 World Cup and showing much promise in his formative years, Dean Elgar, born today, had to wait his turn at the senior level. He was given a maiden ODI call-up in 2011, and debuted in Tests in November 2012, against Australia in Perth, and registered a pair. By 2014, though, he had become a regular in the line-up. During his 118 against England at Kingsmead in 2015, he became the sixth South African to carry his bat in a Test innings. Elgar hit a bit of a purple patch in Tests in 2016-17, when he made three fifties and two hundreds in six innings. In 2017, South Africa lost their first series in England since 1998, but Elgar chipped in with two fifties and a hundred, and his good form continued in the home season that followed, against India and Australia.
1995
England's hopes of feeding on the carcass of West Indies cricket after they had been dethroned by Australia took a blow when they were smashed by nine wickets inside four days in the first Test, at Headingley. Ian Bishop played the decisive hand, with seven wickets in the match.
England's hopes of feeding on the carcass of West Indies cricket after they had been dethroned by Australia took a blow when they were smashed by nine wickets inside four days in the first Test, at Headingley. Ian Bishop played the decisive hand, with seven wickets in the match.
1978
A first-over specialist is born. Daryl Tuffey, a strapping fast-medium bowler from New Zealand, had an amazing penchant for picking up wickets in the first over of games, both Tests and one-dayers. After a quiet start he settled into a quality groove as the sort of player capable of performing well on most surfaces, and his finest hour was 6 for 54 to help New Zealand tie the three-Test series with England in Auckland in 2001-02.
A first-over specialist is born. Daryl Tuffey, a strapping fast-medium bowler from New Zealand, had an amazing penchant for picking up wickets in the first over of games, both Tests and one-dayers. After a quiet start he settled into a quality groove as the sort of player capable of performing well on most surfaces, and his finest hour was 6 for 54 to help New Zealand tie the three-Test series with England in Auckland in 2001-02.
1942
In the age Before Murali, Somachandra de Silva, who was born today, was probably Sri Lanka's best spin bowler. He was 39 when Sri Lanka played their inaugural Test, and was the first to take a five-for - 5 for 59 against Pakistan in Faisalabad later that winter. He bowed out after their famous draw at Lord's in 1984, when he bowled impressively for figures of 45-16-85-2.
In the age Before Murali, Somachandra de Silva, who was born today, was probably Sri Lanka's best spin bowler. He was 39 when Sri Lanka played their inaugural Test, and was the first to take a five-for - 5 for 59 against Pakistan in Faisalabad later that winter. He bowed out after their famous draw at Lord's in 1984, when he bowled impressively for figures of 45-16-85-2.
1967
Birth of one of the first men to be punished for match-fixing. The international career of South African seamer Henry Williams - seven one-day internationals and an average of 25 - would have been largely forgettable had he not become embroiled in the scandal. Williams and Herschelle Gibbs were banned from international cricket for six months in 2000, when they admitted to accepting money from Hansie Cronje to underperform in a one-day international. Williams agreed to concede more than 50 runs off his ten overs. As it transpired, he was injured and bowled only 11 balls.
Birth of one of the first men to be punished for match-fixing. The international career of South African seamer Henry Williams - seven one-day internationals and an average of 25 - would have been largely forgettable had he not become embroiled in the scandal. Williams and Herschelle Gibbs were banned from international cricket for six months in 2000, when they admitted to accepting money from Hansie Cronje to underperform in a one-day international. Williams agreed to concede more than 50 runs off his ten overs. As it transpired, he was injured and bowled only 11 balls.
Other birthdays
1935 Fazal-ur-Rehman (Pakistan)
1975 Mithra Wettimuny (Sri Lanka)
1986 Mitchell McClenaghan (New Zealand)
1991 Stafanie Taylor (West Indies)
1935 Fazal-ur-Rehman (Pakistan)
1975 Mithra Wettimuny (Sri Lanka)
1986 Mitchell McClenaghan (New Zealand)
1991 Stafanie Taylor (West Indies)