Long Tom
1927 Birth of one of England's most elegant batsmen
Wisden Cricinfo staff
16-Jun-2003
1927
Birth of one of England's most elegant batsmen. Tom Graveney's gleaming strokeplay made him a favourite with fans - but a Goweresque propensity to throw his wicket away brought about a measure of mistrust in the England selectors. He was put out to pasture in 1963, but the weight of runs for Worcestershire got him back in three years later and he played 24 of his 79 Tests after his 39th birthday. He captained England for the only time in that period too, at Headingley in 1968. Graveney excelled against West Indies, averaging almost 59, including a mighty 258 at Trent Bridge in 1957. He made 175 in only his second Test innings, against India at Bombay in 1951-52. He also played for, and coached Queensland. Graveney later became a popular and cheery summariser for the BBC. His nephew, David, is England's chairman of selectors.
Birth of one of England's most elegant batsmen. Tom Graveney's gleaming strokeplay made him a favourite with fans - but a Goweresque propensity to throw his wicket away brought about a measure of mistrust in the England selectors. He was put out to pasture in 1963, but the weight of runs for Worcestershire got him back in three years later and he played 24 of his 79 Tests after his 39th birthday. He captained England for the only time in that period too, at Headingley in 1968. Graveney excelled against West Indies, averaging almost 59, including a mighty 258 at Trent Bridge in 1957. He made 175 in only his second Test innings, against India at Bombay in 1951-52. He also played for, and coached Queensland. Graveney later became a popular and cheery summariser for the BBC. His nephew, David, is England's chairman of selectors.
1977
The beginning of the Jubilee Test at Lord's - and of Mike Brearley's reign as England captain. Brearley replaced Tony Greig, who was sacked for his involvement in the setting up of World Series Cricket, although Greig kept his place in the side. He showed why with a thumping 91 in the second innings, but a rain-affected match ended in a draw with Australia struggling on 114 for 6. The gate receipts - over £220,000 - were a record for any cricket match in Britain at the time.
The beginning of the Jubilee Test at Lord's - and of Mike Brearley's reign as England captain. Brearley replaced Tony Greig, who was sacked for his involvement in the setting up of World Series Cricket, although Greig kept his place in the side. He showed why with a thumping 91 in the second innings, but a rain-affected match ended in a draw with Australia struggling on 114 for 6. The gate receipts - over £220,000 - were a record for any cricket match in Britain at the time.
1932
A world-record opening stand. Herbert Sutcliffe (313) and Percy Holmes (224 not out) put on no fewer than 555 for Yorkshire against Essex, although their record has since been broken. Sutcliffe threw his wicket away the moment they had passed the previous-best, 554, only for the scoreboard then to clunk back down to 554. After a few minutes it was realised that a no-ball had been missed off, and all was well. Except for Essex, who collapsed in each innings for 78 and 164 and were thrashed by an innings.
A world-record opening stand. Herbert Sutcliffe (313) and Percy Holmes (224 not out) put on no fewer than 555 for Yorkshire against Essex, although their record has since been broken. Sutcliffe threw his wicket away the moment they had passed the previous-best, 554, only for the scoreboard then to clunk back down to 554. After a few minutes it was realised that a no-ball had been missed off, and all was well. Except for Essex, who collapsed in each innings for 78 and 164 and were thrashed by an innings.
1906
Birth of Alan Fairfax, the New South Wales allrounder who in ten Test appearances for Australia averaged 51 with the bat and 30 with the ball. He would have played more Tests had he not signed up for Accrington in the Lancashire League in 1932. With the bat he was alarmingly consistent, and was only out once in single figures. Fairfax died of a heart attack in London in 1955.
Birth of Alan Fairfax, the New South Wales allrounder who in ten Test appearances for Australia averaged 51 with the bat and 30 with the ball. He would have played more Tests had he not signed up for Accrington in the Lancashire League in 1932. With the bat he was alarmingly consistent, and was only out once in single figures. Fairfax died of a heart attack in London in 1955.
1914
A debut centurion is born. Billy Griffith played only three Tests for England, despite hitting 140 in his first innings, against West Indies in Trinidad in 1947-48. It was also his first first-class hundred - Griffith had gone on the tour as assistant manager, and it was a surprise that he played at all. His other Test scores were 4, 8, 5 and 0, though he kept well enough to keep Godfrey Evans out of the team in two Tests in South Africa in 1948-49. Griffith later became a selector and tour manager. But most significantly, he was secretary of MCC from 1962 to 1974, his tenure including the stormy waters of the D'Oliveira Affair. He died in Sussex in 1993.
A debut centurion is born. Billy Griffith played only three Tests for England, despite hitting 140 in his first innings, against West Indies in Trinidad in 1947-48. It was also his first first-class hundred - Griffith had gone on the tour as assistant manager, and it was a surprise that he played at all. His other Test scores were 4, 8, 5 and 0, though he kept well enough to keep Godfrey Evans out of the team in two Tests in South Africa in 1948-49. Griffith later became a selector and tour manager. But most significantly, he was secretary of MCC from 1962 to 1974, his tenure including the stormy waters of the D'Oliveira Affair. He died in Sussex in 1993.
1899
At the age of 21, the great Victor Trumper made his first Test century in only his second Test match, a majestic 135 not out against England on a difficult Old Trafford pitch. With Clem Hill also making 135, Australia eased home by ten wickets.
At the age of 21, the great Victor Trumper made his first Test century in only his second Test match, a majestic 135 not out against England on a difficult Old Trafford pitch. With Clem Hill also making 135, Australia eased home by ten wickets.
1924
An Edgbaston demolition job. Faced with an imposing England total of 438 in the first Test, South Africa collapsed for a dismal 30 all out, equalling their lowest Test total, with only extras (11) reaching double figures. England captain Arthur Gilligan had the ridiculous figures of 6.3-4-7-6, and followed up with 5 for 83 in the second innings. South Africa at least salvaged some dignity in defeat, with Bob Catterall making 120 in their second-innings 390.
An Edgbaston demolition job. Faced with an imposing England total of 438 in the first Test, South Africa collapsed for a dismal 30 all out, equalling their lowest Test total, with only extras (11) reaching double figures. England captain Arthur Gilligan had the ridiculous figures of 6.3-4-7-6, and followed up with 5 for 83 in the second innings. South Africa at least salvaged some dignity in defeat, with Bob Catterall making 120 in their second-innings 390.
Other birthdays
1961 Robbie Kerr (Australia)
1963 Mohsin Kamal (Pakistan)
1969 Nehemiah Perry (West Indies)
1963 Mohsin Kamal (Pakistan)
1969 Nehemiah Perry (West Indies)