1929
Subhash Gupte, one of the finest leg-spinners of his time, was born on this day. The master of Googly, Gupte made a slow start, but his Test career really took off in the West Indies in 1952-53, when he took 50 wickets at an average of 23.64. Gupte had a better average overseas (28.57) than he did at home (30.34).
1934
Salim Durani, the stylish all-rounder of India, was born on this day. Durani was a left-handed middle-order batsman and slow left-arm bowler. Durani played 29 Tests in which he scored 1202 runs and took 75 wickets.
1963
Mark Greatbatch, who defined the term pinch-hitter, was born on this day. The Kiwi made a mockery of opening bowlers in the 1992 World Cup with his powerful hitting in the initial overs of the match. But in Test cricket he was a patient worker. Greatbatch’s highest test score of 146 not out off 485 balls was against Australia at Perth in November 1989. He was at the crease for 11 hours (2 days) to save New Zealand from defeat, the game ending in a draw because of his efforts.
1972
Murray Goodwin, the unsung hero of cricket, was born on this day. A Zimbabwean by birth, Goodwin was raised in Australia and made his Test debut in 1997-98. After leaving Zimbabwe he played for Western Australia and Sussex. He joined the ICL in 2008 but quit the next year to commit to Sussex, who he helped qualify for the inaugural Champions League.
1979
Geoff Boycott scored his only ODI hundred against Australia in Sydney. Boycott scored 105 in 124 balls and took England to victory.
1988
Tim Southee, the swing bowler for New Zealand, was born on this day. He made his Test debut only at the age of 19 against England in Napier. On his debut he took five wickets and became the sixth bowler for the Kiwis to do so. Southee was the highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in 2011 World Cup. In 2013 he took 10 wickets for 140 runs against England at Lord’s.
1988
Mark Waugh made his ODI debut for Australia. It was the first time in cricket history that a twin pair of brothers took the field in an international match. Later, Mark and his brother Steve gave many memorable moments to cheer.
2000
Sourav Ganguly gave a clinical performance as a captain against Zimbabwe to win the match for India. At Kanpur he took 5 wickets for 38 runs and later scored 68 runs with the bat. But after the match he was found to be in breach of the ICC’s Code of Conduct by match referee Barry Jarman. Ganguly was given an immediate one-match ban.
