March 24 down the years
Is it tape? Is it sandpaper? It's ball-tampering
Steven Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft are banned for trying to change the condition of the ball using a foreign object
Cameron Bancroft was caught by TV cameras trying to rub the ball with sandpaper and then hide the evidence down his trousers • AFP/Getty Images
2018
All hell broke loose when on day three of the Cape Town Test, Cameron Bancroft and Steven Smith admitted to ball-tampering after TV cameras picked up Bancroft trying to shove a small yellow object - which turned out to be sandpaper - down his trousers, having earlier used it on the ball. At a press conference after play that day, Smith said the team's leadership group had discussed tampering while looking for a way to get the ball to reverse. Cricket Australia had Smith and David Warner, his vice-captain, step down from their posts on day four of the Test - a day when South Africa wrapped up a huge win, with Morne Morkel, playing his final series, taking career-best figures of 9 for 110. The board then banned Smith and Warner, who they said had hatched the whole plan, for a year, and Bancroft for nine months from international and domestic cricket.
All hell broke loose when on day three of the Cape Town Test, Cameron Bancroft and Steven Smith admitted to ball-tampering after TV cameras picked up Bancroft trying to shove a small yellow object - which turned out to be sandpaper - down his trousers, having earlier used it on the ball. At a press conference after play that day, Smith said the team's leadership group had discussed tampering while looking for a way to get the ball to reverse. Cricket Australia had Smith and David Warner, his vice-captain, step down from their posts on day four of the Test - a day when South Africa wrapped up a huge win, with Morne Morkel, playing his final series, taking career-best figures of 9 for 110. The board then banned Smith and Warner, who they said had hatched the whole plan, for a year, and Bancroft for nine months from international and domestic cricket.
1961
Though he could look quite brilliant at times, the career of Dean Jones, who was born today, was slighted by a reputation that he had too keen an eye for the superfluous run. The selectors certainly seemed to think so when they dumped him, aged 31, for Damien Martyn ahead of the crunch West Indies series at home in 1992-93. The statistics back up the perception: apart from his unspeakably brave 210 in the tied Test in Madras in 1986-87, Jones made ten hundreds: three were against Sri Lanka - the Bangladesh of Jones' day - and four came in the final Tests of dead rubbers. And when Australia lost, Jones averaged only 17.93. Nobody could deny that Jones was one of the first great one-day batters, though: he was electric between the wickets, and was still averaging over 50 after 110 ODIs before he faded towards the end.
Though he could look quite brilliant at times, the career of Dean Jones, who was born today, was slighted by a reputation that he had too keen an eye for the superfluous run. The selectors certainly seemed to think so when they dumped him, aged 31, for Damien Martyn ahead of the crunch West Indies series at home in 1992-93. The statistics back up the perception: apart from his unspeakably brave 210 in the tied Test in Madras in 1986-87, Jones made ten hundreds: three were against Sri Lanka - the Bangladesh of Jones' day - and four came in the final Tests of dead rubbers. And when Australia lost, Jones averaged only 17.93. Nobody could deny that Jones was one of the first great one-day batters, though: he was electric between the wickets, and was still averaging over 50 after 110 ODIs before he faded towards the end.
1987
Bangladesh's most talented allrounder is born. A penetrative and economical left-arm spinner and an attacking middle-order batter, Shakib Al Hasan took the then best figures in an innings by a Bangladesh bowler - 7 for 36 against New Zealand in Chittagong in 2008 - and then batted them to their first tri-series final the following year. The same year he led Bangladesh, in the absence of the injured Mashrafe Mortaza, to their first overseas Test series win - albeit against a second-string West Indies side. He scored an unbeaten 96 in Grenada and was the Man of the Series for his 13 wickets. In 2010 he made his first Test hundred, in Hamilton, and the year after that (he took 21 wickets in five Tests) Shakib became the first Bangladesh player to score a hundred and take a five-for in the same Test. He was the first Bangladeshi to top an ICC ranking, when in early 2009 he headed the ODI allrounders' list; he has since topped the allrounders' tables in all three formats regularly. He took seven wickets in Bangladesh's historic win over England, in Chittagong in 2016. The year after that, he made his first Test double-hundred, in a record stand with Mushfiqur Rahim in Wellington, took ten wickets in a Test win over Australia in Mirpur, and returned to Test captaincy.
Bangladesh's most talented allrounder is born. A penetrative and economical left-arm spinner and an attacking middle-order batter, Shakib Al Hasan took the then best figures in an innings by a Bangladesh bowler - 7 for 36 against New Zealand in Chittagong in 2008 - and then batted them to their first tri-series final the following year. The same year he led Bangladesh, in the absence of the injured Mashrafe Mortaza, to their first overseas Test series win - albeit against a second-string West Indies side. He scored an unbeaten 96 in Grenada and was the Man of the Series for his 13 wickets. In 2010 he made his first Test hundred, in Hamilton, and the year after that (he took 21 wickets in five Tests) Shakib became the first Bangladesh player to score a hundred and take a five-for in the same Test. He was the first Bangladeshi to top an ICC ranking, when in early 2009 he headed the ODI allrounders' list; he has since topped the allrounders' tables in all three formats regularly. He took seven wickets in Bangladesh's historic win over England, in Chittagong in 2016. The year after that, he made his first Test double-hundred, in a record stand with Mushfiqur Rahim in Wellington, took ten wickets in a Test win over Australia in Mirpur, and returned to Test captaincy.
2015
A spot in a World Cup final at last for New Zealand. The co-hosts entered the semi-final against South Africa at Eden Park unbeaten in the tournament and produced one of the most thrilling games in the tournament's history. New Zealand, led by Grant Elliott's heroic unbeaten 84, chased 298 inside 43 overs (the match was curtailed by rain) with a ball to spare. Five were needed from two balls when Elliott swung Dale Steyn for a six, leading to delirium from the fans, who had got behind their team like never before all through the tournament. It ended in tears for South Africa, who had been denied their first World Cup final partly due to several fumbles in the field, including a straightforward run out of Corey Anderson and a dropped catch off Elliott.
A spot in a World Cup final at last for New Zealand. The co-hosts entered the semi-final against South Africa at Eden Park unbeaten in the tournament and produced one of the most thrilling games in the tournament's history. New Zealand, led by Grant Elliott's heroic unbeaten 84, chased 298 inside 43 overs (the match was curtailed by rain) with a ball to spare. Five were needed from two balls when Elliott swung Dale Steyn for a six, leading to delirium from the fans, who had got behind their team like never before all through the tournament. It ended in tears for South Africa, who had been denied their first World Cup final partly due to several fumbles in the field, including a straightforward run out of Corey Anderson and a dropped catch off Elliott.
2013
A first 4-0 series win for India, when they beat Australia in a low-scoring three-day affair on a viciously spinning track in Delhi. Cheteshwar Pujara scored twin fifties, and R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja each took five-fors. It was a forgettable first Test as captain for Shane Watson, who returned from a suspension on disciplinary grounds to replace Michael Clarke, who was out injured. The only highlight for Australia was Nathan Lyon's seven-wicket haul.
A first 4-0 series win for India, when they beat Australia in a low-scoring three-day affair on a viciously spinning track in Delhi. Cheteshwar Pujara scored twin fifties, and R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja each took five-fors. It was a forgettable first Test as captain for Shane Watson, who returned from a suspension on disciplinary grounds to replace Michael Clarke, who was out injured. The only highlight for Australia was Nathan Lyon's seven-wicket haul.
1998
After a tenure that was undermined by a number of unforgettable collapses, it was fitting that England marked Mike Atherton's last match as regular captain by subsiding pathetically against West Indies in Antigua: seven wickets for 26 runs in 26 excruciating overs. England lost by an innings, the last act of a 1-3 defeat in a series that could, and should, have been much closer.
After a tenure that was undermined by a number of unforgettable collapses, it was fitting that England marked Mike Atherton's last match as regular captain by subsiding pathetically against West Indies in Antigua: seven wickets for 26 runs in 26 excruciating overs. England lost by an innings, the last act of a 1-3 defeat in a series that could, and should, have been much closer.
1979
From the last day as England captain for Athers to the first as Australian captain for Kim Hughes. He was only 25 when he first got the job - as cover for the injured Graham Yallop - and his courageous decision to put Pakistan in at the WACA was rewarded with victory. But it was a reign that was destined to end in tears, when Hughes blubbed his way into infamy after defeat to West Indies in 1984-85. In between times the job went back to Greg Chappell, post-Packer, before Hughes began his second stint with the 1981 Ashes series.
From the last day as England captain for Athers to the first as Australian captain for Kim Hughes. He was only 25 when he first got the job - as cover for the injured Graham Yallop - and his courageous decision to put Pakistan in at the WACA was rewarded with victory. But it was a reign that was destined to end in tears, when Hughes blubbed his way into infamy after defeat to West Indies in 1984-85. In between times the job went back to Greg Chappell, post-Packer, before Hughes began his second stint with the 1981 Ashes series.
2011
Australia had gone 34 games without a defeat in World Cups before losing to Pakistan in Colombo. The week after, their stranglehold on the trophy was wrenched free on this day by Yuvraj Singh, assisted by Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina. Australia got themselves into an advantageous position in the quarter-final in Ahmedabad when they reached 260, thanks to Ricky Ponting's back-to-basics century. When Yuvraj came to the crease, India needed 110 off a little over 21 overs and were stuttering. They proceeded to lose another two wickets but the momentum shifted with a cracking Yuvraj boundary over point off Shaun Tait, followed by three fours - one by Raina - in the next over, off Brett Lee. India got home with more than two overs to spare in the end.
Australia had gone 34 games without a defeat in World Cups before losing to Pakistan in Colombo. The week after, their stranglehold on the trophy was wrenched free on this day by Yuvraj Singh, assisted by Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina. Australia got themselves into an advantageous position in the quarter-final in Ahmedabad when they reached 260, thanks to Ricky Ponting's back-to-basics century. When Yuvraj came to the crease, India needed 110 off a little over 21 overs and were stuttering. They proceeded to lose another two wickets but the momentum shifted with a cracking Yuvraj boundary over point off Shaun Tait, followed by three fours - one by Raina - in the next over, off Brett Lee. India got home with more than two overs to spare in the end.
1979
The birth of one of England's finest spinners. Graeme Swann took 255 wickets in 60 Tests in a little more than five years - more prolific than anyone else in Test cricket in that period. He was only 20 when he made his England debut, in a one-dayer in 1999-2000. A bright future seemed assured, but following a poor season in 2000 he slipped down the pecking order... before unexpectedly making it to the Test side aged 29, in 2008 against India. He produced four-wicket hauls in the 2009 Ashes, and took the decisive wicket of the series, that of Michael Hussey on the final day of the fifth Test. Swann also picked up nine wickets in the Durban Test later that year, and then took 22 wickets in four Tests against Pakistan in 2010 and 13 against India (nine of those at The Oval) in 2011. A recurrence of a long-standing elbow problem meant he required surgery in early 2013, and after a relatively quiet home Ashes, he announced his retirement during the return leg in Australia.
The birth of one of England's finest spinners. Graeme Swann took 255 wickets in 60 Tests in a little more than five years - more prolific than anyone else in Test cricket in that period. He was only 20 when he made his England debut, in a one-dayer in 1999-2000. A bright future seemed assured, but following a poor season in 2000 he slipped down the pecking order... before unexpectedly making it to the Test side aged 29, in 2008 against India. He produced four-wicket hauls in the 2009 Ashes, and took the decisive wicket of the series, that of Michael Hussey on the final day of the fifth Test. Swann also picked up nine wickets in the Durban Test later that year, and then took 22 wickets in four Tests against Pakistan in 2010 and 13 against India (nine of those at The Oval) in 2011. A recurrence of a long-standing elbow problem meant he required surgery in early 2013, and after a relatively quiet home Ashes, he announced his retirement during the return leg in Australia.
1990
Alyssa Healy, born today, followed her uncle Ian into a career as an Australian wicketkeeper. She made her international debut in 2010, and her first half-century, 62 not out, while opening against New Zealand in a Rose Bowl win in Sydney two years later. She was part of Australia's World T20-winning sides of 2010, 2012 and 2014, and also played the 2016 final, which they lost to West Indies. In the 2017 World Cup, Healy hit a 40-ball 63 not out in a big win against Pakistan.
Alyssa Healy, born today, followed her uncle Ian into a career as an Australian wicketkeeper. She made her international debut in 2010, and her first half-century, 62 not out, while opening against New Zealand in a Rose Bowl win in Sydney two years later. She was part of Australia's World T20-winning sides of 2010, 2012 and 2014, and also played the 2016 final, which they lost to West Indies. In the 2017 World Cup, Healy hit a 40-ball 63 not out in a big win against Pakistan.
1885
Upset by the attitude of the England players, who disputed several of his decisions during the final Test in Melbourne, umpire Jack Hodges refused to resume after tea on the third day. Tom Garrett, one of the Australian XI, took his place.
Upset by the attitude of the England players, who disputed several of his decisions during the final Test in Melbourne, umpire Jack Hodges refused to resume after tea on the third day. Tom Garrett, one of the Australian XI, took his place.
1892
Drewy Stoddart made hay while the sun shone on an Adelaide belter, stroking 134 as England piled up 499 in the third Test against Australia. Then came a torrential downpour, which transformed the pitch into the sort of sticky wicket on which Johnny Briggs was virtually unplayable. Briggs took 12 wickets and England won by an innings and 230 runs, still their biggest win in Australia. Some consolation for a 1-2 series defeat.
Drewy Stoddart made hay while the sun shone on an Adelaide belter, stroking 134 as England piled up 499 in the third Test against Australia. Then came a torrential downpour, which transformed the pitch into the sort of sticky wicket on which Johnny Briggs was virtually unplayable. Briggs took 12 wickets and England won by an innings and 230 runs, still their biggest win in Australia. Some consolation for a 1-2 series defeat.
1985
The day Norman Gifford made his one-day international debut - at the age of 44. Gifford captained a motley English crew (Colin Wells, Rob Bailey and Pat Pocock also made their ODI debuts) to the Rothmans Four-Nations Cup, a mercifully brief seven-day, four-match affair. England lost both the semi-final, to Australia, and the amusingly named "consolation final", to Pakistan. Unsurprisingly Gifford did not play again.
The day Norman Gifford made his one-day international debut - at the age of 44. Gifford captained a motley English crew (Colin Wells, Rob Bailey and Pat Pocock also made their ODI debuts) to the Rothmans Four-Nations Cup, a mercifully brief seven-day, four-match affair. England lost both the semi-final, to Australia, and the amusingly named "consolation final", to Pakistan. Unsurprisingly Gifford did not play again.
1929
Cuan McCarthy, born today, opened the bowling for South Africa in his 15 Tests between 1948 and 1951. He took 6 for 43 on debut against England in Durban. During Australia's 1949-50 tour of South Africa, the Age in a scouting report called him a "menace". But he finished his career with just 36 wickets at 41.94.
Cuan McCarthy, born today, opened the bowling for South Africa in his 15 Tests between 1948 and 1951. He took 6 for 43 on debut against England in Durban. During Australia's 1949-50 tour of South Africa, the Age in a scouting report called him a "menace". But he finished his career with just 36 wickets at 41.94.
Other birthdays
1871 Leslie Gay (England)
1944 Basher Hassan (Kenya)
1953 Steven Lubbers (Netherlands)
1953 Tim Lamb (England)
1956 Ijaz Faqih (Pakistan)
1961 Cardigan Connor (England)
1982 Andrew Ellis (New Zealand)
1987 Malinda Pushpakumara (Sri Lanka)
1991 Krunal Pandya (India)
1997 Brad Evans (Zimbabwe)
2000 Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan)
1871 Leslie Gay (England)
1944 Basher Hassan (Kenya)
1953 Steven Lubbers (Netherlands)
1953 Tim Lamb (England)
1956 Ijaz Faqih (Pakistan)
1961 Cardigan Connor (England)
1982 Andrew Ellis (New Zealand)
1987 Malinda Pushpakumara (Sri Lanka)
1991 Krunal Pandya (India)
1997 Brad Evans (Zimbabwe)
2000 Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan)