June 18 down the years
Pakistan win the Champions Trophy
They thrashed India in the 2017 final at The Oval
Mohammad Amir sliced through India's top order • Getty Images
2017
A famous, joyous, monumental win for Pakistan. Meeting India in the final of the Champions Trophy, Pakistan made a mockery of their underdog billing to win by 180 runs. Having benefited from an early slice of luck, when Fakhar Zaman was caught behind off a no-ball, Pakistan did not look back till they had whizzed past the finish line in style. Zaman, playing his fourth ODI, led the charge with a free-spirited, brutal, and at times agricultural, maiden hundred that laid the platform for a total of 338. Then Mohammad Amir took over, ripping out India's vaunted top three in a searing and incisive opening spell. This was Pakistan at their best, and even a dazzling 76 by Hardik Pandya could not spoil their party.
A famous, joyous, monumental win for Pakistan. Meeting India in the final of the Champions Trophy, Pakistan made a mockery of their underdog billing to win by 180 runs. Having benefited from an early slice of luck, when Fakhar Zaman was caught behind off a no-ball, Pakistan did not look back till they had whizzed past the finish line in style. Zaman, playing his fourth ODI, led the charge with a free-spirited, brutal, and at times agricultural, maiden hundred that laid the platform for a total of 338. Then Mohammad Amir took over, ripping out India's vaunted top three in a searing and incisive opening spell. This was Pakistan at their best, and even a dazzling 76 by Hardik Pandya could not spoil their party.
2005
"The most embarrassing defeat in our sport history" was how Sydney's Daily Telegraph summed up a performance that reverberated around the globe. Bangladesh had been 500 to 1 outsiders for their opening encounter with Australia in the NatWest Series, but having restricted a lacklustre opposition to 249 for 5, they set about scripting a miracle. Led by the diminutive Mohammad Ashraful, whose even 100 was his maiden one-day century, they paced their chase to perfection. With seven required from the final over, Aftab Ahmed walloped Jason Gillespie out towards the River Taff for a massive six. A scrambled single later, the great upset had been completed.
"The most embarrassing defeat in our sport history" was how Sydney's Daily Telegraph summed up a performance that reverberated around the globe. Bangladesh had been 500 to 1 outsiders for their opening encounter with Australia in the NatWest Series, but having restricted a lacklustre opposition to 249 for 5, they set about scripting a miracle. Led by the diminutive Mohammad Ashraful, whose even 100 was his maiden one-day century, they paced their chase to perfection. With seven required from the final over, Aftab Ahmed walloped Jason Gillespie out towards the River Taff for a massive six. A scrambled single later, the great upset had been completed.
1975
One of the greatest bowling performances in one-day international history. The script couldn't have been better. The first World Cup, and an England-Australia semi-final in front of a raucous Yorkshire crowd. But on a pitch that was damp and green even by Headingley's standards, the fairy tale required England to win the toss. They didn't, and left-arm seamer Gary "Gus" Gilmour, in his first match of the tournament, moved the ball all over the shop, in the air and off the pitch. Even figures of 12-6-14-6 don't tell the full story: his wickets were all in the top seven - Amiss, Wood, Fletcher, Greig, Hayes and Knott - and left England for dead at 37 for 7. They limped to 93 - which might have been enough, but for Gilmour's run-a-ball 28, which rescued the Aussies from a fraught 39 for 6.
One of the greatest bowling performances in one-day international history. The script couldn't have been better. The first World Cup, and an England-Australia semi-final in front of a raucous Yorkshire crowd. But on a pitch that was damp and green even by Headingley's standards, the fairy tale required England to win the toss. They didn't, and left-arm seamer Gary "Gus" Gilmour, in his first match of the tournament, moved the ball all over the shop, in the air and off the pitch. Even figures of 12-6-14-6 don't tell the full story: his wickets were all in the top seven - Amiss, Wood, Fletcher, Greig, Hayes and Knott - and left England for dead at 37 for 7. They limped to 93 - which might have been enough, but for Gilmour's run-a-ball 28, which rescued the Aussies from a fraught 39 for 6.
1983
Some unseemly violence amid the tranquil surroundings of the Nevill Ground at Tunbridge Wells, all from the bat of Kapil Dev. Kapil brutalised the Zimbabwean bowlers in an unforgettable display of hitting, as India recovered from 9 for 4, and then 17 for 5. Wickets continued to fall at the other end, but it didn't matter as Kapil creamed an amazing 175 not out off 138 balls, with 16 fours and six sixes. The next highest score was Syed Kirmani's 24 not out, and in all, Kapil's innings comprised 66% of India's total of 266 for 8. Before it, India's qualification for the semi-finals had been in doubt. Seven days later they were world champions, courtesy another sensational victory, over West Indies in the final.
Some unseemly violence amid the tranquil surroundings of the Nevill Ground at Tunbridge Wells, all from the bat of Kapil Dev. Kapil brutalised the Zimbabwean bowlers in an unforgettable display of hitting, as India recovered from 9 for 4, and then 17 for 5. Wickets continued to fall at the other end, but it didn't matter as Kapil creamed an amazing 175 not out off 138 balls, with 16 fours and six sixes. The next highest score was Syed Kirmani's 24 not out, and in all, Kapil's innings comprised 66% of India's total of 266 for 8. Before it, India's qualification for the semi-finals had been in doubt. Seven days later they were world champions, courtesy another sensational victory, over West Indies in the final.
1987
Birth of England allrounder Moeen Ali, who filled the hole left by Graeme Swann's surprise retirement during the 2013-14 Ashes. But before he became England's go-to offspinner in Tests, Ali showed his skills with the bat, holding down one end for nearly six and a half hours at Headingley in 2014 in a match England ultimately lost to Sri Lanka. A month later, he took eight wickets in a famous win over India in Southampton, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker for the series, with 19. Ali made several vital contributions in the regaining of the Ashes in 2015, and scored two Test hundreds in India the next year. In 2017, he took a ten-for and a hat-trick in wins over South Africa, but a disappointing Ashes tour started a slide that eventually led to him being dropped from the Test squad in 2019.
Birth of England allrounder Moeen Ali, who filled the hole left by Graeme Swann's surprise retirement during the 2013-14 Ashes. But before he became England's go-to offspinner in Tests, Ali showed his skills with the bat, holding down one end for nearly six and a half hours at Headingley in 2014 in a match England ultimately lost to Sri Lanka. A month later, he took eight wickets in a famous win over India in Southampton, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker for the series, with 19. Ali made several vital contributions in the regaining of the Ashes in 2015, and scored two Test hundreds in India the next year. In 2017, he took a ten-for and a hat-trick in wins over South Africa, but a disappointing Ashes tour started a slide that eventually led to him being dropped from the Test squad in 2019.
2019
Eoin Morgan smashed a record 17 sixes in a World Cup game against Afghanistan, taking England to 397, their seventh innings score of over 375 since they moved into beast batting mode in mid-2015. Morgan ended up on 148, and England hit 25 sixes in all - also a record. Special treatment was reserved for Afghanistan's icon Rashid Khan, who went for 110 runs off his nine overs - again, you guessed it, a record.
Eoin Morgan smashed a record 17 sixes in a World Cup game against Afghanistan, taking England to 397, their seventh innings score of over 375 since they moved into beast batting mode in mid-2015. Morgan ended up on 148, and England hit 25 sixes in all - also a record. Special treatment was reserved for Afghanistan's icon Rashid Khan, who went for 110 runs off his nine overs - again, you guessed it, a record.
1985
A glorious, hazy summer began with England beating Australia by five wickets in the first Test at Headingley. The star was Tim Robinson, who continued a storming start to his Test career with a stately 175, while Ian Botham put the boot in with a violent 51-ball 60. John Emburey chipped in with 5 for 82 in the second innings - it was his only five-for in 33 Tests in England. This match was only Robinson's sixth Test, and he ended it with an average of 71.11.
A glorious, hazy summer began with England beating Australia by five wickets in the first Test at Headingley. The star was Tim Robinson, who continued a storming start to his Test career with a stately 175, while Ian Botham put the boot in with a violent 51-ball 60. John Emburey chipped in with 5 for 82 in the second innings - it was his only five-for in 33 Tests in England. This match was only Robinson's sixth Test, and he ended it with an average of 71.11.
1894
Only 70 minutes' play was possible between Surrey and Essex at The Oval, but that was enough for Tom Richardson to exploit a wet wicket and take 10 for 45. He added another five in the second innings two days later.
Only 70 minutes' play was possible between Surrey and Essex at The Oval, but that was enough for Tom Richardson to exploit a wet wicket and take 10 for 45. He added another five in the second innings two days later.
1971
A grinder is born. Blair Pocock, the meticulous New Zealand opener, set the tone for his Test career when he made 34 off 118 balls and 28 off 96 on his debut, against Australia in Perth in 1993-94. Throughout his Test career he scored his runs at a rate of 29.8 per 100 balls - that's less than two an over. Pocock never managed a century in 15 Tests, although he did make six fifties in his last nine appearances.
A grinder is born. Blair Pocock, the meticulous New Zealand opener, set the tone for his Test career when he made 34 off 118 balls and 28 off 96 on his debut, against Australia in Perth in 1993-94. Throughout his Test career he scored his runs at a rate of 29.8 per 100 balls - that's less than two an over. Pocock never managed a century in 15 Tests, although he did make six fifties in his last nine appearances.
2019
The Mali women's team were dismissed for a total of 6 today - a record - in the Kwibuka Women's T20 tournament in Kigali, Rwanda. The home side took four balls to knock the target off. Mali's innings lasted nine overs, but only one of their six runs came off the bat; after that, it was a sequence of ducks, with five extras.
The Mali women's team were dismissed for a total of 6 today - a record - in the Kwibuka Women's T20 tournament in Kigali, Rwanda. The home side took four balls to knock the target off. Mali's innings lasted nine overs, but only one of their six runs came off the bat; after that, it was a sequence of ducks, with five extras.
1915
Birth of Arthur Fagg, the England opener whose career highlight was making two double-centuries in one match, for Kent against Essex in Colchester in 1938. Fagg later became a Test umpire. He died in Tunbridge Wells in 1977.
Birth of Arthur Fagg, the England opener whose career highlight was making two double-centuries in one match, for Kent against Essex in Colchester in 1938. Fagg later became a Test umpire. He died in Tunbridge Wells in 1977.
1986
A one-day rout. In an ICC Trophy match at the Cannock & Rugeley club, Papua New Guinea massacred Gibraltar by 369 runs. PNG stormed to 455 for 9 off 60 overs, before Gibraltar - whose team included future Woking FA Cup hero Tim Buzaglo - fell apart for 86.
A one-day rout. In an ICC Trophy match at the Cannock & Rugeley club, Papua New Guinea massacred Gibraltar by 369 runs. PNG stormed to 455 for 9 off 60 overs, before Gibraltar - whose team included future Woking FA Cup hero Tim Buzaglo - fell apart for 86.
1914
Birth of Billy Wade, the South African wicketkeeper who played 11 Tests either side of the Second World War. He was a very handy batsman - his first-class average was 48.45 - and he made a Test century against England in Port Elizabeth in 1948-49. Wade later became a Test umpire.
Birth of Billy Wade, the South African wicketkeeper who played 11 Tests either side of the Second World War. He was a very handy batsman - his first-class average was 48.45 - and he made a Test century against England in Port Elizabeth in 1948-49. Wade later became a Test umpire.
1979
The only game of the second World Cup that was won by an Associate nation - over three days, owing to a late start and the fact that the following day was a rest day. Sunil Wettimuny, Roy Dias and Duleep Mendis made half-centuries on a placid Old Trafford track to take Sri Lanka to 238. India started their chase on the Monday confidently, but after Gundappa Viswanath was run out for 22, they lost their last seven wickets for 59. Legspinner Somachandra De Silva and medium-pacer Tony Opatha took three each.
The only game of the second World Cup that was won by an Associate nation - over three days, owing to a late start and the fact that the following day was a rest day. Sunil Wettimuny, Roy Dias and Duleep Mendis made half-centuries on a placid Old Trafford track to take Sri Lanka to 238. India started their chase on the Monday confidently, but after Gundappa Viswanath was run out for 22, they lost their last seven wickets for 59. Legspinner Somachandra De Silva and medium-pacer Tony Opatha took three each.
1987
South Africa fast bowler Kyle Abbott, born today, had a sensational start to his Test career, taking 7 for 29 against Pakistan in 2013, the second-best figures by a South African on debut after Lance Klusener's 8 for 64. With his ability to swing the ball and bowl effectively at the death, he made a name for himself in South Africa's limited-overs squads, and he was one of their standout bowlers in their 2015 World Cup campaign, until his surprise exclusion from the team for the semi-final, which South Africa lost. In the 2016-17 season, Abbott made regular breakthroughs during a home ODI series against Australia in October and a Test series down under in November, but just as he was cementing his place in the side, he dropped a bombshell by announcing that he had signed a three-year Kolpak contract with Hampshire. He was dropped immediately and his international career appeared to be over.
South Africa fast bowler Kyle Abbott, born today, had a sensational start to his Test career, taking 7 for 29 against Pakistan in 2013, the second-best figures by a South African on debut after Lance Klusener's 8 for 64. With his ability to swing the ball and bowl effectively at the death, he made a name for himself in South Africa's limited-overs squads, and he was one of their standout bowlers in their 2015 World Cup campaign, until his surprise exclusion from the team for the semi-final, which South Africa lost. In the 2016-17 season, Abbott made regular breakthroughs during a home ODI series against Australia in October and a Test series down under in November, but just as he was cementing his place in the side, he dropped a bombshell by announcing that he had signed a three-year Kolpak contract with Hampshire. He was dropped immediately and his international career appeared to be over.
Other birthdays
1966 Melissa Papworth (Australia)
1974 Martin van Jaarsveld (South Africa)
1977 Rowan Milburn (New Zealand)
1966 Melissa Papworth (Australia)
1974 Martin van Jaarsveld (South Africa)
1977 Rowan Milburn (New Zealand)