August 11 down the years
Warne gets 600
And to make it sweeter, it came in an Ashes Test
Marcus Trescothick was Shane Warne's 600th Test victim • Getty Images
2005
Another memorable milestone, as Shane Warne became the first bowler to take 600 Test wickets. And he did it at Old Trafford, where he spawned his legend back in 1993. This time the victim was Marcus Trescothick and the dismissal a rather more scrappy affair than the wonder ball that did for Mike Gatting all those years before. Aiming to sweep, Tresco scuffed the ball with the back of his bat and Adam Gilchrist completed a juggling catch as the ball bobbled up off his thigh.
Another memorable milestone, as Shane Warne became the first bowler to take 600 Test wickets. And he did it at Old Trafford, where he spawned his legend back in 1993. This time the victim was Marcus Trescothick and the dismissal a rather more scrappy affair than the wonder ball that did for Mike Gatting all those years before. Aiming to sweep, Tresco scuffed the ball with the back of his bat and Adam Gilchrist completed a juggling catch as the ball bobbled up off his thigh.
1977
One of the most highly charged days in English cricket ended with Geoffrey Boycott making his 100th hundred. In a perfect piece of stage management, he scored it on his home ground, Headingley, in a Test against Australia. He was the first player to hit his 100th ton in a Test match. Boycott went on to make 191. Four days later, after Derek Randall held a catch from Rod Marsh off Mike Hendrick's bowling and then cartwheeled to celebrate, England won by an innings to regain the Ashes.
One of the most highly charged days in English cricket ended with Geoffrey Boycott making his 100th hundred. In a perfect piece of stage management, he scored it on his home ground, Headingley, in a Test against Australia. He was the first player to hit his 100th ton in a Test match. Boycott went on to make 191. Four days later, after Derek Randall held a catch from Rod Marsh off Mike Hendrick's bowling and then cartwheeled to celebrate, England won by an innings to regain the Ashes.
1870
One of England's mightiest pace bowlers was born. Blessed with a powerful frame and boundless stamina, Surrey's Tom Richardson could bowl fast all day - and often had to. At Old Trafford in 1896, for example, he sent down 110.3 five-ball overs and took 13 for 244 in a narrow defeat. He finished with 88 wickets in only 14 Tests and took 809 in first-class cricket in the three seasons from 1895 to 1897, a towering physical achievement by one of the all-time greats.
One of England's mightiest pace bowlers was born. Blessed with a powerful frame and boundless stamina, Surrey's Tom Richardson could bowl fast all day - and often had to. At Old Trafford in 1896, for example, he sent down 110.3 five-ball overs and took 13 for 244 in a narrow defeat. He finished with 88 wickets in only 14 Tests and took 809 in first-class cricket in the three seasons from 1895 to 1897, a towering physical achievement by one of the all-time greats.
1965
Death of one of Australia's finest captains and ambassadors. An opening batter known as The Unbowlable, Bill Woodfull averaged 46 in Tests, scoring seven centuries - and was best known for his courageous captaincy during the 1932-33 Bodyline series, when he carried his bat in Adelaide and stood firm against the assaults of Harold Larwood, who hit him on the body several times. There was no shortage of success by way of compensation: Woodfull captained Australia in England in 1930 and 1934, regaining the Ashes on his birthday each time.
Death of one of Australia's finest captains and ambassadors. An opening batter known as The Unbowlable, Bill Woodfull averaged 46 in Tests, scoring seven centuries - and was best known for his courageous captaincy during the 1932-33 Bodyline series, when he carried his bat in Adelaide and stood firm against the assaults of Harold Larwood, who hit him on the body several times. There was no shortage of success by way of compensation: Woodfull captained Australia in England in 1930 and 1934, regaining the Ashes on his birthday each time.
1884
The first double-century stand in Test cricket was completed, at The Oval. Billy Murdoch and HJH "Tup" Scott made 205 of their 207 for the third wicket, with Scott scoring his only Test century. Australia eventually made 551 but England held out for a draw.
The first double-century stand in Test cricket was completed, at The Oval. Billy Murdoch and HJH "Tup" Scott made 205 of their 207 for the third wicket, with Scott scoring his only Test century. Australia eventually made 551 but England held out for a draw.
1909
By adding 130 to his 136 in the first innings, Warren Bardsley became the first player to score a century in each innings of a Test. The draw at The Oval gave Australia the series 2-1. Bardsley, one of the great batter of his generation, had to wait 17 years for his next hundred against England: 193 not out at Lord's.
By adding 130 to his 136 in the first innings, Warren Bardsley became the first player to score a century in each innings of a Test. The draw at The Oval gave Australia the series 2-1. Bardsley, one of the great batter of his generation, had to wait 17 years for his next hundred against England: 193 not out at Lord's.
1954
Birth of that attacking little batter Yashpal Sharma, who made a duck in his last Test innings and averaged a rather moderate 33.45 in his 37 Tests for India - but also scored 140, the second of his two Test hundreds, in a partnership of 316 with Gundappa Viswanath against England in Madras in 1981-82, which remained till 2011 the highest stand for any Test between the two countries.
Birth of that attacking little batter Yashpal Sharma, who made a duck in his last Test innings and averaged a rather moderate 33.45 in his 37 Tests for India - but also scored 140, the second of his two Test hundreds, in a partnership of 316 with Gundappa Viswanath against England in Madras in 1981-82, which remained till 2011 the highest stand for any Test between the two countries.
1974
Birth of all-round talent Anju Jain, who was India's captain, wicketkeeper and opening bat in the 2000 women's World Cup, and led them to the semis, where they lost to eventual champions New Zealand. She also played in the 2005 World Cup, where India were runners-up. Jain scored her only Test century in her second match - against England in Kolkata in 1995. After retirement she became a national selector.
Birth of all-round talent Anju Jain, who was India's captain, wicketkeeper and opening bat in the 2000 women's World Cup, and led them to the semis, where they lost to eventual champions New Zealand. She also played in the 2005 World Cup, where India were runners-up. Jain scored her only Test century in her second match - against England in Kolkata in 1995. After retirement she became a national selector.
Other birthdays
1855 Dick Pilling (England)
1855 John Hodges (Australia)
1892 Archie Wiles (West Indies)
1907 Ted a'Beckett (Australia)
1910 Denis Moloney (New Zealand)
1954 MV "Bobjee" Narasimha Rao (India)
1962 Shaul Karnain (Sri Lanka)
1972 Mel Jones (Australia)
1989 Veerasammy Permaul (West Indies)
1855 Dick Pilling (England)
1855 John Hodges (Australia)
1892 Archie Wiles (West Indies)
1907 Ted a'Beckett (Australia)
1910 Denis Moloney (New Zealand)
1954 MV "Bobjee" Narasimha Rao (India)
1962 Shaul Karnain (Sri Lanka)
1972 Mel Jones (Australia)
1989 Veerasammy Permaul (West Indies)