May 11 down the years
Welcome to Test cricket, Ireland
The 11th Test nation is formed
Ireland line up for the national anthem at the start of their inaugural Test • Sportsfile/Getty Images
2018
The 11th Test nation was born when Ireland took the field against Pakistan in Malahide. The first day was washed out and Ireland eventually followed on, but the game was not completely one-sided. Tim Murtagh's four wickets kept Pakistan to a score of just above 300. And in their second dig, facing a deficit of 180 runs, Ireland fought hard, with Kevin O'Brien batting nearly six hours to become Ireland's first Test centurion. They set Pakistan a target of 160 and gave them a scare by taking five wickets before opener Imam-ul-Haq steered the visitors home. Seamer Mohammad Abbas took nine wickets in the match.
The 11th Test nation was born when Ireland took the field against Pakistan in Malahide. The first day was washed out and Ireland eventually followed on, but the game was not completely one-sided. Tim Murtagh's four wickets kept Pakistan to a score of just above 300. And in their second dig, facing a deficit of 180 runs, Ireland fought hard, with Kevin O'Brien batting nearly six hours to become Ireland's first Test centurion. They set Pakistan a target of 160 and gave them a scare by taking five wickets before opener Imam-ul-Haq steered the visitors home. Seamer Mohammad Abbas took nine wickets in the match.
1941
A career of two halves for the lean and gangling Australian Ian Redpath, who was born today. In his first 33 Tests he made one century and averaged 36. In his last 33 he hit seven centuries and averaged 50. Redpath started out as a bit of a dasher but soon turned himself into something of a stonewaller - his one-day international average was a mere 9 - and he didn't hit a six until his penultimate Test, against West Indies in Adelaide in 1975-76, when he got so giddy that he immediately cracked another one. Redpath was later awarded an MBE, and upon retirement resumed a career in antique-dealing and went on to coach Victoria.
A career of two halves for the lean and gangling Australian Ian Redpath, who was born today. In his first 33 Tests he made one century and averaged 36. In his last 33 he hit seven centuries and averaged 50. Redpath started out as a bit of a dasher but soon turned himself into something of a stonewaller - his one-day international average was a mere 9 - and he didn't hit a six until his penultimate Test, against West Indies in Adelaide in 1975-76, when he got so giddy that he immediately cracked another one. Redpath was later awarded an MBE, and upon retirement resumed a career in antique-dealing and went on to coach Victoria.
2016
Tony Cozier, one of the game's most respected commentators, and possibly the most authoritative voice on Caribbean cricket in his time, died on this day in his native Barbados, aged 75, after an illness. Cozier started his career as a newspaper journalist and began his commentary career during Australia's tour of West Indies in 1965. Over five decades Cozier had worked in radio and television, wrote books, and was published in newspapers, magazines and on the internet. He was also a columnist for ESPNcricinfo.
Tony Cozier, one of the game's most respected commentators, and possibly the most authoritative voice on Caribbean cricket in his time, died on this day in his native Barbados, aged 75, after an illness. Cozier started his career as a newspaper journalist and began his commentary career during Australia's tour of West Indies in 1965. Over five decades Cozier had worked in radio and television, wrote books, and was published in newspapers, magazines and on the internet. He was also a columnist for ESPNcricinfo.
2023
In a masterful display of timing and placement at Eden Gardens, 21-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal broke the record for the fastest IPL fifty, getting to the milestone in 13 balls, one more than the overall T20 record. The Rajasthan Royals opener smashed 26 runs off the first over in the chase of 150 against Kolkata Knight Riders, beginning with two big sixes. He caused Jos Buttler to be run-out in the next over, but made up for it by hitting a six and three fours immediately after. Jaiswal got to the fifty with a single flicked to deep square leg, and completed the chase with a boundary off the first ball of the 14th over. Another tournament record was broken the same night - Royals legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who took 4 for 25, went past Dwayne Bravo's 183 wickets to become the IPL's all-time leading wicket-taker.
In a masterful display of timing and placement at Eden Gardens, 21-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal broke the record for the fastest IPL fifty, getting to the milestone in 13 balls, one more than the overall T20 record. The Rajasthan Royals opener smashed 26 runs off the first over in the chase of 150 against Kolkata Knight Riders, beginning with two big sixes. He caused Jos Buttler to be run-out in the next over, but made up for it by hitting a six and three fours immediately after. Jaiswal got to the fifty with a single flicked to deep square leg, and completed the chase with a boundary off the first ball of the 14th over. Another tournament record was broken the same night - Royals legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who took 4 for 25, went past Dwayne Bravo's 183 wickets to become the IPL's all-time leading wicket-taker.
1944
The younger Benaud is born. John Benaud was always going to be overshadowed by his older brother Richie, but he forged a good career for himself as a muscular, destructive batter for New South Wales. He played three Tests too, all in 1972-73; in his second appearance he thrashed 142 against Pakistan at the MCG, a furious innings played in the knowledge that he had already been left out of the next Test. He was also once banned for two matches for wearing the wrong shoes. An astute captain of his state, Benaud later became a national selector during Australia's renaissance under the captaincy of Allan Border.
The younger Benaud is born. John Benaud was always going to be overshadowed by his older brother Richie, but he forged a good career for himself as a muscular, destructive batter for New South Wales. He played three Tests too, all in 1972-73; in his second appearance he thrashed 142 against Pakistan at the MCG, a furious innings played in the knowledge that he had already been left out of the next Test. He was also once banned for two matches for wearing the wrong shoes. An astute captain of his state, Benaud later became a national selector during Australia's renaissance under the captaincy of Allan Border.
1853
Australia's first wicketkeeper is born. Jack Blackham's presence in the inaugural Test, in Melbourne in 1876-77, meant that Fred Spofforth did not play, in protest - he wanted Billy Murdoch behind the stumps instead - but Blackham soon established himself as a keeper of rare subtlety and class. He frequently stood up to the quicker bowlers without a long stop, and only Bert Oldfield, Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist have made more than his 24 Test stumpings for Australia. Blackham could scrap down the order too, and made a couple of fifties in Australia's win over England in Sydney in 1882-83. In all, he played in seven different Test series in England, once as captain, in 1893. He died in Melbourne in 1932.
Australia's first wicketkeeper is born. Jack Blackham's presence in the inaugural Test, in Melbourne in 1876-77, meant that Fred Spofforth did not play, in protest - he wanted Billy Murdoch behind the stumps instead - but Blackham soon established himself as a keeper of rare subtlety and class. He frequently stood up to the quicker bowlers without a long stop, and only Bert Oldfield, Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist have made more than his 24 Test stumpings for Australia. Blackham could scrap down the order too, and made a couple of fifties in Australia's win over England in Sydney in 1882-83. In all, he played in seven different Test series in England, once as captain, in 1893. He died in Melbourne in 1932.
2001
More problems for Herschelle Gibbs, who was fined along with four of his team-mates and the team physiotherapist Craig Smith after admitting to smoking marijuana in a hotel room in Antigua during their West Indies tour. It completed a bad 12 months for Gibbs: as well as being banned for six months for his part in the match-fixing scandal, he was given a suspended sentence for going to a nightclub on the eve of a one-day international against Australia.
More problems for Herschelle Gibbs, who was fined along with four of his team-mates and the team physiotherapist Craig Smith after admitting to smoking marijuana in a hotel room in Antigua during their West Indies tour. It completed a bad 12 months for Gibbs: as well as being banned for six months for his part in the match-fixing scandal, he was given a suspended sentence for going to a nightclub on the eve of a one-day international against Australia.
Other birthdays
1881 Pompey Norton (South Africa)
1944 Carol Marrett (New Zealand)
1967 Jamie Brayshaw (Australia)
1972 Jacob Martin (India)
1881 Pompey Norton (South Africa)
1944 Carol Marrett (New Zealand)
1967 Jamie Brayshaw (Australia)
1972 Jacob Martin (India)