January 13 down the years
Quick, quick Snow
Australia crumble at the SCG, and New Zealand lose comprehensively in their first Test
John Snow sent Australia crashing to 116 in Sydney in 1971 • Getty Images
1971
A blistering spell of bowling from John Snow set England up for victory in the fourth Test, in Sydney. Snow steamrolled the Australian top order to reduce them to 21 for 4 before finishing the job the next day. He ended up with 7 for 40, and four of the seven were out for nought, including Ian Chappell first ball. The Wisden Almanack said "the pitch was without pace, but Snow... made the ball kick viciously from a worn patch and had his opponents apprehensive from first ball to last."
A blistering spell of bowling from John Snow set England up for victory in the fourth Test, in Sydney. Snow steamrolled the Australian top order to reduce them to 21 for 4 before finishing the job the next day. He ended up with 7 for 40, and four of the seven were out for nought, including Ian Chappell first ball. The Wisden Almanack said "the pitch was without pace, but Snow... made the ball kick viciously from a worn patch and had his opponents apprehensive from first ball to last."
1930
New Zealand's first Test, in Christchurch, ended today, in less than two days. England were comfortable winners by eight wickets in a game where nobody reached 50. What was more memorable were the deeds of debutant Maurice Allom: in his eighth over in Test cricket he took four wickets in five balls, including a hat-trick. England were playing a concurrent series in the West Indies; this remains the only instance of a country playing in two Tests on the same day.
New Zealand's first Test, in Christchurch, ended today, in less than two days. England were comfortable winners by eight wickets in a game where nobody reached 50. What was more memorable were the deeds of debutant Maurice Allom: in his eighth over in Test cricket he took four wickets in five balls, including a hat-trick. England were playing a concurrent series in the West Indies; this remains the only instance of a country playing in two Tests on the same day.
1982
Kamran Akmal, born today, made his first-class debut at the age of 15 as a useful wicketkeeper-batter and got his Test break in 2002 as a replacement for the injured Rashid Latif. His first big contribution in Tests was a match-saving hundred in the Mohali Test in 2005. He started 2006 with two centuries against India: the one in Lahore was then the fastest by a keeper; the Karachi Test century was scored after Pakistan collapsed to 39 for 6 in a match they went on to win by 341 runs. Akmal experienced a horrendous patch as keeper later in the decade, culminating in horror shows in England and South Africa in 2007, and against Australia in 2009-10. He was dropped after a poor 2011 World Cup, and while he was recalled for the World T20s in 2012 and 2014, Akmal returned to being a regular in the limited-overs sides only in 2017 - though briefly: he played his last internationals that year.
Kamran Akmal, born today, made his first-class debut at the age of 15 as a useful wicketkeeper-batter and got his Test break in 2002 as a replacement for the injured Rashid Latif. His first big contribution in Tests was a match-saving hundred in the Mohali Test in 2005. He started 2006 with two centuries against India: the one in Lahore was then the fastest by a keeper; the Karachi Test century was scored after Pakistan collapsed to 39 for 6 in a match they went on to win by 341 runs. Akmal experienced a horrendous patch as keeper later in the decade, culminating in horror shows in England and South Africa in 2007, and against Australia in 2009-10. He was dropped after a poor 2011 World Cup, and while he was recalled for the World T20s in 2012 and 2014, Akmal returned to being a regular in the limited-overs sides only in 2017 - though briefly: he played his last internationals that year.
1985
A fine day for the 40-year-old West Indian captain Clive Lloyd, whose young legs helped him effect three run-outs and then club an unbeaten 52 to give his side a five-wicket win over Australia in the Benson & Hedges World Series one-dayer in Brisbane.
A fine day for the 40-year-old West Indian captain Clive Lloyd, whose young legs helped him effect three run-outs and then club an unbeaten 52 to give his side a five-wicket win over Australia in the Benson & Hedges World Series one-dayer in Brisbane.
1911
South Africa's first Test win over Australia. They did it in Adelaide, in a match of 1646 runs and four centuries, including a monumental 214 not out from Victor Trumper, which was the highest score in a Test defeat at the time.
South Africa's first Test win over Australia. They did it in Adelaide, in a match of 1646 runs and four centuries, including a monumental 214 not out from Victor Trumper, which was the highest score in a Test defeat at the time.
2018
Less than a month after taking out West Indies with a career-best 7 for 34, Trent Boult blew Pakistan away for 74 - the lowest ODI total by a visiting side in New Zealand - on a slow pitch in Dunedin. At one point Pakistan were 32 for 8 and in danger of setting the record for the lowest ODI total. No. 11 Rumman Raees was their top scorer with 16. The 183-run win clinched the five-match series for New Zealand.
Less than a month after taking out West Indies with a career-best 7 for 34, Trent Boult blew Pakistan away for 74 - the lowest ODI total by a visiting side in New Zealand - on a slow pitch in Dunedin. At one point Pakistan were 32 for 8 and in danger of setting the record for the lowest ODI total. No. 11 Rumman Raees was their top scorer with 16. The 183-run win clinched the five-match series for New Zealand.
1983
With three needed off the last ball, Vic Marks was bowled by Martin Snedden to give New Zealand a one-day victory over England at the MCG, despite a luscious 122 from David Gower, who was opening. Two days later Gower went one better. Back at No. 3 after opening in Melbourne, he caned the Kiwis all round Brisbane for 158 off 118 balls.
With three needed off the last ball, Vic Marks was bowled by Martin Snedden to give New Zealand a one-day victory over England at the MCG, despite a luscious 122 from David Gower, who was opening. Two days later Gower went one better. Back at No. 3 after opening in Melbourne, he caned the Kiwis all round Brisbane for 158 off 118 balls.
1978
Australia lifted the women's World Cup for the first time, defeating England in the final by a comprehensive eight wickets. Only four teams contested the tournament - India, England, New Zealand and Australia - after West Indies and Netherlands had to withdraw because of financial difficulties, and only six matches were played. But that was six more than expected: fears that the tournament would not take place were ended only when India agreed to play host.
Australia lifted the women's World Cup for the first time, defeating England in the final by a comprehensive eight wickets. Only four teams contested the tournament - India, England, New Zealand and Australia - after West Indies and Netherlands had to withdraw because of financial difficulties, and only six matches were played. But that was six more than expected: fears that the tournament would not take place were ended only when India agreed to play host.
1982
A tall and rangy fast bowler capable of searing pace and high accuracy, Jermaine Lawson, born today, burst into Test cricket in 2002, picking up 6 for 3 in his third Test, in Dhaka. The following year he demolished Australia's first innings in Antigua with a career-best 7 for 78, which set West Indies on their way to a historic victory. His action was subsequently reported, and though he was cleared after remedying it, he struggled to return to his previous best, and a spinal stress fracture sidelined him further. In 2008 he signed on as a Kolpak for Leceistershire.
A tall and rangy fast bowler capable of searing pace and high accuracy, Jermaine Lawson, born today, burst into Test cricket in 2002, picking up 6 for 3 in his third Test, in Dhaka. The following year he demolished Australia's first innings in Antigua with a career-best 7 for 78, which set West Indies on their way to a historic victory. His action was subsequently reported, and though he was cleared after remedying it, he struggled to return to his previous best, and a spinal stress fracture sidelined him further. In 2008 he signed on as a Kolpak for Leceistershire.
1981
Birth of England opener Caroline Atkins, who came into the spotlight with a record 200-run stand against India in Lucknow in 2002. But she took a while to build on the reputation the innings gave her, and it was only in 2008 that she scored her maiden one-day hundred - against South Africa at Lord's. Atkins went on to play a big part in England's victorious World Cup campaign in 2009, with three half-centuries and two century stands with Claire and Sarah Taylor. Atkins also played the World T20 that followed, but got to bat only twice. She also played the 2010-11 Ashes Test but was dropped after that.
Birth of England opener Caroline Atkins, who came into the spotlight with a record 200-run stand against India in Lucknow in 2002. But she took a while to build on the reputation the innings gave her, and it was only in 2008 that she scored her maiden one-day hundred - against South Africa at Lord's. Atkins went on to play a big part in England's victorious World Cup campaign in 2009, with three half-centuries and two century stands with Claire and Sarah Taylor. Atkins also played the World T20 that followed, but got to bat only twice. She also played the 2010-11 Ashes Test but was dropped after that.
Other birthdays
1948 Kenia Jayantilal (India)
1963 Dirk Tazelaar (Australia)
1976 Gary Brent (Zimbabwe)
1948 Kenia Jayantilal (India)
1963 Dirk Tazelaar (Australia)
1976 Gary Brent (Zimbabwe)