1938
Charlie Griffith who formed one of the most fearsome fast-bowling partnership for West Indies, was born on this day. But Griffith started his career as a spinner. In his 24 Tests, Griffith took 98 wickets. He was so fast that he once infamously fracture Indian captain Nari Contractor’s skull that put his life in danger.
1960
The first tie of Test cricket was played between Australia and West Indies in Brisbane. Australia 6 runs in the last over. At that time there was 8-ball over. But Wes Hall produced a gem of an over where there was a leg-bye, a bye, a caught behind, a dropped catch by the bowler and two run-outs. Australia was reduced to 9 wickets and they needed 4 runs from the last ball. Joe Solomon hit at square leg and the match ended in a tie.
1974
Viv Richards, the original master blaster, scored his first Test hundred in his second Test against India in Delhi. Richards made an unbeaten 192, with six sixes and 20 fours.
1979
On the first day of the first Test, Dennis Lillee played with an aluminium bat that produced a sound after each ball. Play was stopped Mike Brearley as he objected to Dennis Lillee’s bat. Brearley claimed that the bat was damaging the ball. But Lillee argued that it was within the laws. Eventually Lillee was persuaded to swap it and the following year the laws were changed to state that the bat shall be made of wood.
1983
Crowd protest in Calcutta went violent as they threw fruit, stones and bottles after tIndia lost against West Indies by an innings and 46 runs in the fifth Test against West Indies. Clive Lloyd cracked 161 not out and India were all out for just 90 in their second innings.
