They miss, I hit
1930 One of England's greatest bowlers is born
Wisden Cricinfo staff
17-Jun-2003
All Today's Yesterdays -June 17 down the years
1930
One of England's greatest bowlers is born. Brian Statham was the quintessential English seamer - a disciple of line and length, and the original if-they-miss-I'll-hit bowler. (Over 40% of his Test victims were bowled.) He was also a true gentleman: unassuming, hugely popular and happy to give the limelight to Frank Tyson or Fred Trueman. Statham played the good cop to Trueman's bad. Between them they were England's best-ever new-ball partnership. Though he took 252 wickets at an average of less than 25, Statham's workhorse role meant that he only took one ten-for in his 70 Tests, against South Africa at Lord's in 1960. His first-class record (2260 wickets at 16.37), when he was the main man for Lancashire, was sensational. He died of leukaemia in June 2000.
One of England's greatest bowlers is born. Brian Statham was the quintessential English seamer - a disciple of line and length, and the original if-they-miss-I'll-hit bowler. (Over 40% of his Test victims were bowled.) He was also a true gentleman: unassuming, hugely popular and happy to give the limelight to Frank Tyson or Fred Trueman. Statham played the good cop to Trueman's bad. Between them they were England's best-ever new-ball partnership. Though he took 252 wickets at an average of less than 25, Statham's workhorse role meant that he only took one ten-for in his 70 Tests, against South Africa at Lord's in 1960. His first-class record (2260 wickets at 16.37), when he was the main man for Lancashire, was sensational. He died of leukaemia in June 2000.
1999
The greatest one-day match in history, and arguably the greatest game of cricket anywhere. The 100 overs of the World Cup semi-final, between Australia and South Africa at Edgbaston had just about everything. Everyone knows about the agonising end, when the match was tied and Australia went through to the final because of their superior run-rate in the earlier Super Six stage, but there was so much more to the game than that heartbreaking finale. There was Michael Bevan and Steve Waugh coolly leading Australia's recovery with a patience reminiscent of Imran Khan and Javed Miandad's base-laying go-slow in the 1992 World Cup final; a seam-bowling masterclass from Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald, who had combined figures of 9 for 68; the performance of a true champion from Shane Warne (4 for 29) after South Africa had raced to 48 for 0; a titanic allround display from a barely-fit Jacques Kallis; some breathtaking hitting from Lance Klusener. But then, with two more balls to spare and one run needed, Klusener set off on that fateful run only to find that Donald had lead in his boots, and South Africa's dream died in the cruellest manner possible.
The greatest one-day match in history, and arguably the greatest game of cricket anywhere. The 100 overs of the World Cup semi-final, between Australia and South Africa at Edgbaston had just about everything. Everyone knows about the agonising end, when the match was tied and Australia went through to the final because of their superior run-rate in the earlier Super Six stage, but there was so much more to the game than that heartbreaking finale. There was Michael Bevan and Steve Waugh coolly leading Australia's recovery with a patience reminiscent of Imran Khan and Javed Miandad's base-laying go-slow in the 1992 World Cup final; a seam-bowling masterclass from Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald, who had combined figures of 9 for 68; the performance of a true champion from Shane Warne (4 for 29) after South Africa had raced to 48 for 0; a titanic allround display from a barely-fit Jacques Kallis; some breathtaking hitting from Lance Klusener. But then, with two more balls to spare and one run needed, Klusener set off on that fateful run only to find that Donald had lead in his boots, and South Africa's dream died in the cruellest manner possible.
1956
Birth of Nick Cook, the slow left-armer who showed rare penetration for a modern-day English finger-spinner. Cook only made his debut, against New Zealand at Lord's in 1983, because Phil Edmonds ricked his back getting out of a car, but he didn't look back. He took 5 for 35 in his first innings, and four five-fors in his first four Tests (by contrast, John Emburey took six in 64 Tests), including two against Pakistan in Karachi in 1983-84 on his way to match figures of 11 for 83. But after taking 32 wickets at an average of 17 in those four Tests, he was impotence personified: his last 11 Tests brought 20 wickets at an average of 57. Cook was also the bowler when England last surrendered the Ashes - David Boon swept him to seal victory at Old Trafford in 1989.
Birth of Nick Cook, the slow left-armer who showed rare penetration for a modern-day English finger-spinner. Cook only made his debut, against New Zealand at Lord's in 1983, because Phil Edmonds ricked his back getting out of a car, but he didn't look back. He took 5 for 35 in his first innings, and four five-fors in his first four Tests (by contrast, John Emburey took six in 64 Tests), including two against Pakistan in Karachi in 1983-84 on his way to match figures of 11 for 83. But after taking 32 wickets at an average of 17 in those four Tests, he was impotence personified: his last 11 Tests brought 20 wickets at an average of 57. Cook was also the bowler when England last surrendered the Ashes - David Boon swept him to seal victory at Old Trafford in 1989.
1930
One of the more famous catches in English cricket history, by a man who played only one first-class match. Sydney Copley was on the Nottinghamshire groundstaff when he had to field as a substitute in the first Test between England and Australia at Trent Bridge. And with Australia on 229 for 3, chasing 429, Copley took a superb catch at mid-on to end a dangerous partnership between Stan McCabe and Don Bradman. Bradman went on to make a fine 131, but England won by 93 runs.
One of the more famous catches in English cricket history, by a man who played only one first-class match. Sydney Copley was on the Nottinghamshire groundstaff when he had to field as a substitute in the first Test between England and Australia at Trent Bridge. And with Australia on 229 for 3, chasing 429, Copley took a superb catch at mid-on to end a dangerous partnership between Stan McCabe and Don Bradman. Bradman went on to make a fine 131, but England won by 93 runs.
1964
Birth of the Worcestershire wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes, who looked the part in his first season of Test cricket before fading from the scene. Against New Zealand and South Africa in 1994, he excelled with bat and gloves, most notably saving the Lord's Test against New Zealand. But a horror tour of Australia followed, in which Rhodes made only 72 runs in nine innings. His keeping went to pieces too. And though Rhodes was a Ray Illingworth favourite - he was born in Yorkshire, after all, and was their youngest keeper in 1981 - not even Illy could defend such an indefensible record. Rhodes was not picked again.
Birth of the Worcestershire wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes, who looked the part in his first season of Test cricket before fading from the scene. Against New Zealand and South Africa in 1994, he excelled with bat and gloves, most notably saving the Lord's Test against New Zealand. But a horror tour of Australia followed, in which Rhodes made only 72 runs in nine innings. His keeping went to pieces too. And though Rhodes was a Ray Illingworth favourite - he was born in Yorkshire, after all, and was their youngest keeper in 1981 - not even Illy could defend such an indefensible record. Rhodes was not picked again.
2000
A shock for England, as a West Indies side that was supposed to be in terminal decline pummelled them by an innings in the first Test at Edgbaston. Courtney Walsh took eight wickets, in the process becoming the first man to pass 450 Test wickets, and Curtly Ambrose - despite bowling absolutely magnificently - ended with match figures of 34.5-18-48-1. All's well that ends well, though: England went on to win 3-1, their first series victory against West Indies for 31 years.
A shock for England, as a West Indies side that was supposed to be in terminal decline pummelled them by an innings in the first Test at Edgbaston. Courtney Walsh took eight wickets, in the process becoming the first man to pass 450 Test wickets, and Curtly Ambrose - despite bowling absolutely magnificently - ended with match figures of 34.5-18-48-1. All's well that ends well, though: England went on to win 3-1, their first series victory against West Indies for 31 years.
2000
On the same day, in Colombo, Pakistan grabbed a tense five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. Their star was Wasim Akram, who took his 25th five-for, and smacked 78 in the first innings, adding 90 for the last wicket with Arshad Khan. Wasim then saw Pakistan home after they wobbled to 89 for 5 in pursuit of 131 for victory.
On the same day, in Colombo, Pakistan grabbed a tense five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. Their star was Wasim Akram, who took his 25th five-for, and smacked 78 in the first innings, adding 90 for the last wicket with Arshad Khan. Wasim then saw Pakistan home after they wobbled to 89 for 5 in pursuit of 131 for victory.