September 23 down the years
A scrappy keeper
The births of Moin, Blowers and Alistair Campbell
Moin Khan also captained Pakistan in Tests • Getty Images
1971
The birth of one of cricket's more abrasive characters. Moin Khan may not be on too many Christmas-card lists, but he was a very handy wicketkeeper-batter, with a Test average just shy of 30. A dangerous lower-order hitter and expert at wresting back lost initiatives, Moin snatched victory for Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand with an audacious assault on Chris Harris. Three of his four Test hundreds came in an eight-match period between 1994 and 1996, but on becoming captain for the second time, his form fell away, and after losing much of his dignity as England triumphed in Karachi, he lost the captaincy to Waqar Younis and his place to Rashid Latif ahead of the 2001 tour of England. His last Test was the 201-run loss to Sri Lanka in 2004.
The birth of one of cricket's more abrasive characters. Moin Khan may not be on too many Christmas-card lists, but he was a very handy wicketkeeper-batter, with a Test average just shy of 30. A dangerous lower-order hitter and expert at wresting back lost initiatives, Moin snatched victory for Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand with an audacious assault on Chris Harris. Three of his four Test hundreds came in an eight-match period between 1994 and 1996, but on becoming captain for the second time, his form fell away, and after losing much of his dignity as England triumphed in Karachi, he lost the captaincy to Waqar Younis and his place to Rashid Latif ahead of the 2001 tour of England. His last Test was the 201-run loss to Sri Lanka in 2004.
1979
An unseemly incident took place on the second day of the second Test between India and Australia in Bangalore. Having spent the day studying the maker's name of Dilip Vengsarkar and Gundappa Viswanath's blades, being no-balled 11 times in six overs was too much for Rodney Hogg, who bowled a beamer, hoofed down the stumps and stormed off the field. Only the swift action of his captain, Kim Hughes, who tendered an immediate apology to the umpire and persuaded Hogg to express his contrition at the end of the day, prevented further recriminations.
An unseemly incident took place on the second day of the second Test between India and Australia in Bangalore. Having spent the day studying the maker's name of Dilip Vengsarkar and Gundappa Viswanath's blades, being no-balled 11 times in six overs was too much for Rodney Hogg, who bowled a beamer, hoofed down the stumps and stormed off the field. Only the swift action of his captain, Kim Hughes, who tendered an immediate apology to the umpire and persuaded Hogg to express his contrition at the end of the day, prevented further recriminations.
1952
Sunil Gavaskar's right-hand man was born. For most of his 40 Tests between 1974 and 1985, Anshuman Gaekwad was the little master's opening partner. A dasher in his youth, the tall, bespectacled Gaekwad did a Boycott at Test level, cutting out the strokes and reinventing himself as a grinder. He blocked his way to what at the time was the slowest double-century in first-class cricket, against Pakistan in Jullundur in 1983-84, made in 671 minutes off 436 balls, but his bravest knock came on a terror track in Jamaica in 1975-76 - the match in which India's captain Bishan Bedi refused to bat as a protest against the intimidatory West Indian bowling - where Gaekwad withstood a barrage of short stuff from Michael Holding to make 81 before he was struck on the head and ended up in hospital. His father Datta Gaekwad captained India on their tour of England in 1959.
Sunil Gavaskar's right-hand man was born. For most of his 40 Tests between 1974 and 1985, Anshuman Gaekwad was the little master's opening partner. A dasher in his youth, the tall, bespectacled Gaekwad did a Boycott at Test level, cutting out the strokes and reinventing himself as a grinder. He blocked his way to what at the time was the slowest double-century in first-class cricket, against Pakistan in Jullundur in 1983-84, made in 671 minutes off 436 balls, but his bravest knock came on a terror track in Jamaica in 1975-76 - the match in which India's captain Bishan Bedi refused to bat as a protest against the intimidatory West Indian bowling - where Gaekwad withstood a barrage of short stuff from Michael Holding to make 81 before he was struck on the head and ended up in hospital. His father Datta Gaekwad captained India on their tour of England in 1959.
2016
A long-awaited County Championship title for Middlesex, their first since 1993. The climax was enthralling, with three teams in the race for the title going into the final half-hour. At Lord's, Middlesex had to beat Yorkshire to secure the title; a draw would have given Somerset their first championship win. Middlesex, led by Dawid Malan (who made 116) and Nick Gubbins (93) set Yorkshire 240 in 40 overs on the final day. The visitors sportingly went for it, and a game that was slow until then came to life. A hat-trick by fast bowler Toby Roland-Jones helped Middlesex seal the deal in the nick of time.
A long-awaited County Championship title for Middlesex, their first since 1993. The climax was enthralling, with three teams in the race for the title going into the final half-hour. At Lord's, Middlesex had to beat Yorkshire to secure the title; a draw would have given Somerset their first championship win. Middlesex, led by Dawid Malan (who made 116) and Nick Gubbins (93) set Yorkshire 240 in 40 overs on the final day. The visitors sportingly went for it, and a game that was slow until then came to life. A hat-trick by fast bowler Toby Roland-Jones helped Middlesex seal the deal in the nick of time.
1972
The Zimbabwean David Gower is born. The quintessential frustrating, languid left-hander, Alistair Campbell never did justice to his natural ability at Test level, but when on song he was nonetheless a wonderfully natural timer of the ball. He captained Zimbabwe between 1996 and 1999, but like so many others found it impossible to maintain his productivity with the bat while leading, and after giving up the captaincy his form slowly returned. After a number of near-misses he finally made his first Test hundred against India in Nagpur in 2000-01, and added another against West Indies the following summer. He read the runes in Zimbabwe cricket and retired after the World Cup in 2003. When Zimbabwe's domestic structure was revamped in 2009-10, which involved the return of a handful of former cricketers to administrative roles, Campbell was appointed chairman of selectors by the national board.
The Zimbabwean David Gower is born. The quintessential frustrating, languid left-hander, Alistair Campbell never did justice to his natural ability at Test level, but when on song he was nonetheless a wonderfully natural timer of the ball. He captained Zimbabwe between 1996 and 1999, but like so many others found it impossible to maintain his productivity with the bat while leading, and after giving up the captaincy his form slowly returned. After a number of near-misses he finally made his first Test hundred against India in Nagpur in 2000-01, and added another against West Indies the following summer. He read the runes in Zimbabwe cricket and retired after the World Cup in 2003. When Zimbabwe's domestic structure was revamped in 2009-10, which involved the return of a handful of former cricketers to administrative roles, Campbell was appointed chairman of selectors by the national board.
2000
A mammoth 188 not out from Guy Whittall could not stop Zimbabwe going down to an eight-wicket defeat in the second Test against New Zealand in Harare. Whittall batted for 506 minutes and faced 429 balls, but a lower-order collapse left New Zealand chasing 72 in 18 overs, and they swept home to clinch a 2-0 series victory. In his 29th Test as captain, it was Stephen Fleming's 12th win, surpassing Geoff Howarth's New Zealand record of 11.
A mammoth 188 not out from Guy Whittall could not stop Zimbabwe going down to an eight-wicket defeat in the second Test against New Zealand in Harare. Whittall batted for 506 minutes and faced 429 balls, but a lower-order collapse left New Zealand chasing 72 in 18 overs, and they swept home to clinch a 2-0 series victory. In his 29th Test as captain, it was Stephen Fleming's 12th win, surpassing Geoff Howarth's New Zealand record of 11.
1985
Birth of Ambati Rayudu, who was touted as India's next big batting hope in his teens but had to wait until he was 27 for his international debut. In the period in between, he was often in the news for the wrong reasons, at times clashing with the authorities, coaches and umpires. At 21, he chose to play in the rebel Indian Cricket League, but subsequently accepted the BCCI's amnesty offer and made his name in the IPL. His India chance came in Zimbabwe in 2013, where he made 63 in his first ODI. The following year he made his maiden ODI hundred, an unbeaten 121 off 118 balls against Sri Lanka, but he didn't quite set the world alight in his next dozen games and was dropped. He made a comeback two years later, in 2018, but was dropped again ahead of the World Cup in 2019, a tournament many expected him to play in, following which he announced his retirement from all cricket.
Birth of Ambati Rayudu, who was touted as India's next big batting hope in his teens but had to wait until he was 27 for his international debut. In the period in between, he was often in the news for the wrong reasons, at times clashing with the authorities, coaches and umpires. At 21, he chose to play in the rebel Indian Cricket League, but subsequently accepted the BCCI's amnesty offer and made his name in the IPL. His India chance came in Zimbabwe in 2013, where he made 63 in his first ODI. The following year he made his maiden ODI hundred, an unbeaten 121 off 118 balls against Sri Lanka, but he didn't quite set the world alight in his next dozen games and was dropped. He made a comeback two years later, in 2018, but was dropped again ahead of the World Cup in 2019, a tournament many expected him to play in, following which he announced his retirement from all cricket.
1990
A tearaway quick is born. Lea Tahuhu, one of the fastest bowlers in women's cricket, made her international debut for New Zealand in 2011 as a 21-year-old. She took 4 for 27 in an ODI World Cup game against Sri Lanka in 2013; another four-for, against Australia, four years one; and starred with 5 for 37 in an away win against England in 2021. Though New Zealand had a middling T20 World Cup in 2023, Tahuhu shone with eight wickets from four games, a performance that came on the heels of a home T20I series against Bangladesh where she took eight wickets in a 3-0 whitewash.
A tearaway quick is born. Lea Tahuhu, one of the fastest bowlers in women's cricket, made her international debut for New Zealand in 2011 as a 21-year-old. She took 4 for 27 in an ODI World Cup game against Sri Lanka in 2013; another four-for, against Australia, four years one; and starred with 5 for 37 in an away win against England in 2021. Though New Zealand had a middling T20 World Cup in 2023, Tahuhu shone with eight wickets from four games, a performance that came on the heels of a home T20I series against Bangladesh where she took eight wickets in a 3-0 whitewash.
1996
In the Sahara Cup decider in Toronto, Pakistan clinched a 3-2 victory over India with a comfortable 52-run win. Mushtaq Ahmed was their main man in a low-scoring game in which nobody reached 50 and only one of 19 wickets to fall went to a seamer. Mushtaq took out four of the top five and ended with 5 for 36 as India - for whom Sachin Tendulkar top-scored with a mere 23 - were brushed aside for 161.
In the Sahara Cup decider in Toronto, Pakistan clinched a 3-2 victory over India with a comfortable 52-run win. Mushtaq Ahmed was their main man in a low-scoring game in which nobody reached 50 and only one of 19 wickets to fall went to a seamer. Mushtaq took out four of the top five and ended with 5 for 36 as India - for whom Sachin Tendulkar top-scored with a mere 23 - were brushed aside for 161.
1939
The birth of a dear old thing. Henry Blofeld, "Blowers" to his friends, was so well known for his exploits in the commentary box that it is often forgotten he was a talented cricketer, whose promising career was ruined by a cycling accident while at school. A devotee of fine wine and even finer cake, Blofeld personified the eccentricity, charm and passion of the Test Match Special team, with whom he commentated till 2017. He once managed to hold up a series of international flights when he realised that a draft chapter of his book The Packer Affair had been mistaken for rubbish by cleaners in Colombo.
The birth of a dear old thing. Henry Blofeld, "Blowers" to his friends, was so well known for his exploits in the commentary box that it is often forgotten he was a talented cricketer, whose promising career was ruined by a cycling accident while at school. A devotee of fine wine and even finer cake, Blofeld personified the eccentricity, charm and passion of the Test Match Special team, with whom he commentated till 2017. He once managed to hold up a series of international flights when he realised that a draft chapter of his book The Packer Affair had been mistaken for rubbish by cleaners in Colombo.
1855
The birth of the longest-serving editor of the Wisden Almanack, Sydney Pardon, who held the post between 1891 and 1925. A man with varied interests - the Times published his musings on racing, music and the theatre - it was in the course of Pardon's editorship that Wisden established its publication as one of the key dates in the cricket calendar.
The birth of the longest-serving editor of the Wisden Almanack, Sydney Pardon, who held the post between 1891 and 1925. A man with varied interests - the Times published his musings on racing, music and the theatre - it was in the course of Pardon's editorship that Wisden established its publication as one of the key dates in the cricket calendar.
Other birthdays
1928 Valma Batty (Australia)
1942 David Renneberg (Australia)
1956 Tom Hogan (Australia)
1967 Prashant Vaidya (India)
1979 Jolet Hartenhof (Netherlands)
1979 Aaron Redmond (New Zealand)
1928 Valma Batty (Australia)
1942 David Renneberg (Australia)
1956 Tom Hogan (Australia)
1967 Prashant Vaidya (India)
1979 Jolet Hartenhof (Netherlands)
1979 Aaron Redmond (New Zealand)