September 27 down the years
A Kiwi bazooka
Birth of an explosive wicketkeeper-batter
Brendon McCullum guided New Zealand to their first ever World Cup final, in 2015 • AFP
1981
Brendon McCullum, who was born today, owns one of the most famous centuries in T20 cricket - 158 off 73 balls in the opening match of the inaugural IPL. McCullum took the step up into the national side as a wicketkeeper-batter after an outstanding career in international youth cricket, where he proved capable of dominating opposition attacks. He was a powerful threat at the top of the innings for New Zealand in ODIs and T20, but his Test numbers didn't match up - to try and fix which, in 2010, he gave up keeping in Tests, aiming to become a specialist opener. In 2014 he hit two double-centuries, a New Zealand record 302 against India, and 195 against Sri Lanka in Tests, and his leadership made New Zealand a force in all formats through the year. The following year he guided the side to their first World Cup final. McCullum signed off from international cricket in 2016 after making a Test hundred against Australia in Christchurch.
Brendon McCullum, who was born today, owns one of the most famous centuries in T20 cricket - 158 off 73 balls in the opening match of the inaugural IPL. McCullum took the step up into the national side as a wicketkeeper-batter after an outstanding career in international youth cricket, where he proved capable of dominating opposition attacks. He was a powerful threat at the top of the innings for New Zealand in ODIs and T20, but his Test numbers didn't match up - to try and fix which, in 2010, he gave up keeping in Tests, aiming to become a specialist opener. In 2014 he hit two double-centuries, a New Zealand record 302 against India, and 195 against Sri Lanka in Tests, and his leadership made New Zealand a force in all formats through the year. The following year he guided the side to their first World Cup final. McCullum signed off from international cricket in 2016 after making a Test hundred against Australia in Christchurch.
1948
On becoming England's first overseas coach, in 1999, Duncan Fletcher, who was born today, took possession of a team rated the worst in the world, but with sensible man-management, the ability to look beyond county statistics, and no little skill, he helped England become one of the leading Test sides in the world. In 2011 he took charge of India after they won the World Cup under Gary Kirsten, and during his tenure, India whitewashed Australia 4-0 in 2013 and won the Champions Trophy in England few months later. In his time Fletcher was a doughty allrounder, who made 69 not out and took 4 for 42 as Zimbabwe pulled off a stunning victory over Australia - Border, Lillee, Marsh, Thomson and all - in Zimbabwe's first ever official one-day international, at Trent Bridge in the 1983 World Cup.
On becoming England's first overseas coach, in 1999, Duncan Fletcher, who was born today, took possession of a team rated the worst in the world, but with sensible man-management, the ability to look beyond county statistics, and no little skill, he helped England become one of the leading Test sides in the world. In 2011 he took charge of India after they won the World Cup under Gary Kirsten, and during his tenure, India whitewashed Australia 4-0 in 2013 and won the Champions Trophy in England few months later. In his time Fletcher was a doughty allrounder, who made 69 not out and took 4 for 42 as Zimbabwe pulled off a stunning victory over Australia - Border, Lillee, Marsh, Thomson and all - in Zimbabwe's first ever official one-day international, at Trent Bridge in the 1983 World Cup.
2023
Several international records were broken during Nepal's massive win over Mongolia at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. Dipendra Singh Airee set a new record for the fastest T20I fifty, getting there in nine balls, three fewer than previous record-holder Yuvraj Singh, whose feat came in the 2007 T20 World Cup against a far more formidable opposition - England. Airee's team-mate Kushal Malla became the format's fastest centurion, getting to the milestone in 34 balls, breaking the previous record of 35 jointly held by David Miller, Rohit Sharma and Czech Republic's Sudesh Wickramasekara. In all, Nepal scored 314 - the first instance of a 300-plus total in T20 (which included a record-breaking 26 sixes) - and in dismissing Mongolia for 41, they set a new record for the biggest win margin as well.
Several international records were broken during Nepal's massive win over Mongolia at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. Dipendra Singh Airee set a new record for the fastest T20I fifty, getting there in nine balls, three fewer than previous record-holder Yuvraj Singh, whose feat came in the 2007 T20 World Cup against a far more formidable opposition - England. Airee's team-mate Kushal Malla became the format's fastest centurion, getting to the milestone in 34 balls, breaking the previous record of 35 jointly held by David Miller, Rohit Sharma and Czech Republic's Sudesh Wickramasekara. In all, Nepal scored 314 - the first instance of a 300-plus total in T20 (which included a record-breaking 26 sixes) - and in dismissing Mongolia for 41, they set a new record for the biggest win margin as well.
2008
Sixteen years after earning first-class status, Durham claimed their first County Championship title with an innings-and-71 run victory against Kent. They entered the final round as third favourites - behind Nottinghamshire and Somerset - but both those sides lost. Steve Harmison, bowling with a broken left wrist, claimed the final wicket, but Durham had to wait four more hours until Nottinghamshire's defeat was confirmed. Harmison said it was second only to winning the Ashes, and Geoff Cook, the coach, who had been with the club since 1992, said it was his "proudest" moment.
Sixteen years after earning first-class status, Durham claimed their first County Championship title with an innings-and-71 run victory against Kent. They entered the final round as third favourites - behind Nottinghamshire and Somerset - but both those sides lost. Steve Harmison, bowling with a broken left wrist, claimed the final wicket, but Durham had to wait four more hours until Nottinghamshire's defeat was confirmed. Harmison said it was second only to winning the Ashes, and Geoff Cook, the coach, who had been with the club since 1992, said it was his "proudest" moment.
1957
Having been hyped as the natural successor to Hutton, Sutcliffe and Boycott, Bill Athey, who was born today, was always in danger of being an underachiever. A stately performer who made his debut in the Centenary Test in 1980, Athey averaged a disappointing 22.97 from 23 Tests. His opening partnership with Chris Broad was central to England's Ashes triumph of 1986-87, but after a sparkling 123 at Lord's against Pakistan the following summer, Athey failed to pass 50 in eight Tests. He was dropped for the final time after the defeat by West Indies at Headingley in 1988, but continued to be prolific at county level, having moved from Yorkshire to Gloucestershire in 1984 and to Sussex in 1993. He had made over 25,000 first-class runs when he retired in 1997.
Having been hyped as the natural successor to Hutton, Sutcliffe and Boycott, Bill Athey, who was born today, was always in danger of being an underachiever. A stately performer who made his debut in the Centenary Test in 1980, Athey averaged a disappointing 22.97 from 23 Tests. His opening partnership with Chris Broad was central to England's Ashes triumph of 1986-87, but after a sparkling 123 at Lord's against Pakistan the following summer, Athey failed to pass 50 in eight Tests. He was dropped for the final time after the defeat by West Indies at Headingley in 1988, but continued to be prolific at county level, having moved from Yorkshire to Gloucestershire in 1984 and to Sussex in 1993. He had made over 25,000 first-class runs when he retired in 1997.
1982
In Kingston, Eddie Hemmings became the first person to take ten wickets in a first-class innings for 13 years, returning figures of 49.3-14-175-10 while playing for an International XI. It broke a number of records: it is the only time one bowler has taken ten wickets in a first-class innings in the West Indies; it is the most-expensive "all-ten" in any innings, and the West Indies XI's 419 is the highest total to include one.
In Kingston, Eddie Hemmings became the first person to take ten wickets in a first-class innings for 13 years, returning figures of 49.3-14-175-10 while playing for an International XI. It broke a number of records: it is the only time one bowler has taken ten wickets in a first-class innings in the West Indies; it is the most-expensive "all-ten" in any innings, and the West Indies XI's 419 is the highest total to include one.
1962
Though he played 121 ODIs for New Zealand between 1990 and 1999, the gentle medium pace of Gavin Larsen, who was born today in Wellington, went largely unnoticed. He took only 113 wickets, but his outstanding economy rate of 3.76 runs per over underlined his value to the team. He is best remembered for the 1991-92 World Cup, when he was part of the thriftiest of triumvirates (Larsen, Chris Harris and Rod Latham were called "Dibbly, Dobbly and Wobbly"), which tortured even the best batters, on the anaesthetised home surfaces. Firmly typecast as a pyjama performer, Larsen played just eight Tests despite a perfectly acceptable record in the longer game (24 wickets at 28.70).
Though he played 121 ODIs for New Zealand between 1990 and 1999, the gentle medium pace of Gavin Larsen, who was born today in Wellington, went largely unnoticed. He took only 113 wickets, but his outstanding economy rate of 3.76 runs per over underlined his value to the team. He is best remembered for the 1991-92 World Cup, when he was part of the thriftiest of triumvirates (Larsen, Chris Harris and Rod Latham were called "Dibbly, Dobbly and Wobbly"), which tortured even the best batters, on the anaesthetised home surfaces. Firmly typecast as a pyjama performer, Larsen played just eight Tests despite a perfectly acceptable record in the longer game (24 wickets at 28.70).
1981
Indian fast bowler L Balaji first endeared himself to crowds, especially in Pakistan, because of his megawatt smile. After a terrific 2003-04 tour of that country, where he took seven wickets by consistently swinging it away in the Rawalpindi Test, and nine more against Pakistan in Mohali in 2005, Balaji suffered a career-threatening stress fracture. For three years he could hardly play any cricket. He underwent back surgery, remodelled his action and came back through a successful IPL season in 2008. An India recall came a year after, though he got only one game.
Indian fast bowler L Balaji first endeared himself to crowds, especially in Pakistan, because of his megawatt smile. After a terrific 2003-04 tour of that country, where he took seven wickets by consistently swinging it away in the Rawalpindi Test, and nine more against Pakistan in Mohali in 2005, Balaji suffered a career-threatening stress fracture. For three years he could hardly play any cricket. He underwent back surgery, remodelled his action and came back through a successful IPL season in 2008. An India recall came a year after, though he got only one game.
2020
Alyssa Healy went past MS Dhoni's record of 91 dismissals to become the most prolific wicketkeeper in all T20 internationals. Healy dismissed Lauren Down caught in the second T20I against New Zealand, her 99th innings in the format, to break the record.
Alyssa Healy went past MS Dhoni's record of 91 dismissals to become the most prolific wicketkeeper in all T20 internationals. Healy dismissed Lauren Down caught in the second T20I against New Zealand, her 99th innings in the format, to break the record.
1982
Pakistan eased to a nine-wicket victory in the first Test against Australia in Karachi. The tourists began the final day on 138 for 7 in their second innings, a deficit of 10, and were quickly finished off, with Abdul Qadir (5 for 76) the pick of the bowlers.
Pakistan eased to a nine-wicket victory in the first Test against Australia in Karachi. The tourists began the final day on 138 for 7 in their second innings, a deficit of 10, and were quickly finished off, with Abdul Qadir (5 for 76) the pick of the bowlers.
1998
In the second one-day international, in Bulawayo, Sourav Ganguly's fifth one-day hundred helped India to an eight-wicket victory over Zimbabwe and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Ganguly added 153 for the second wicket with Mohammad Azharuddin, his captain, as India, chasing 236 from 45 overs, eased home with 19 balls to spare.
In the second one-day international, in Bulawayo, Sourav Ganguly's fifth one-day hundred helped India to an eight-wicket victory over Zimbabwe and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Ganguly added 153 for the second wicket with Mohammad Azharuddin, his captain, as India, chasing 236 from 45 overs, eased home with 19 balls to spare.
Other birthdays
1972 Mal Loye (England)
1973 Pulasthi Gunaratne (Sri Lanka)
1974 Pankaj Dharmani (India)
1972 Mal Loye (England)
1973 Pulasthi Gunaratne (Sri Lanka)
1974 Pankaj Dharmani (India)