1892
Alec, George and Frank- the Hearne brothers, took the field in the one-off Test between England and South Africa in Cape Town. Frank made his debut for South Africa, having already played two Tests for England, while Alec and George played for England.
1939
Abbas Ali Baig, a debut centurion for India, was born on this day. Baig hit a superb 112 at Old Trafford in 1959. Not only was he the first to accomplish the feat outside India, but at 20 years and 131 days he was then the youngest Indian to get a Test hundred. But he failed to make another century in his 10-match Test career.
1977
Ali Naqvi, a debut centurions who played only 5 Tests for Pakistan, was born on this day. Naqvi made 115 against a quality South African attack at Rawalpindi. But soon after he vanished from the cricket field.
1978
Rangana Herath, the orthodox left-arm spinner who took over from Muttiah Muralitharan as Sri Lanka’s main wicket-taking bowler, was born on this day. He shot to prominence in his debut series against Australia in 1999 with a “mystery” ball. But he sealed his place in the squad only after he took 11 wickets in two Tests against Pakistan in 2004-05. In 2009, against Pakistan once again, Herath took 4 for 15 in the second-innings to bowl Pakistan out for 117 who were chasing 168 to win. In March 2017, Herath became the leading wicket-taker among left-arm spinners, overtaking Daniel Vettori’s 362. He took his 400th wicket against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.
2017
Bangladesh played their made their 100th Test. They defeated Sri Lanka Sri Lanka for the first time away from home, in Colombo. Shakib Al Hasan made a century and debutant Mossadek Hossain scored 75 from No. 8. Shakib also took four wickets in the second innings. Tamim Iqbal took charge to chase 191 with a dominating 82. Bangladesh won by four wickets.
