1949
Syed Kirmani, one of India’s best wicketkeepers, was born on this day. Kirmani was the first keeper to make five dismissals in a World Cup match, against Zimbabwe in Leicester in 1983. He made 198 Test dismissals. He also made Test centuries against Australia and England.
1960
David Boon, Australia’s brilliant opener, was born on this day. He had a glittering career spanning for 17 years. He played important role in four Ashes series wins, particularly in 1989. He played a flawless innings in the Bicentenary Test of 1988. He the Man-of-the-Match in the 1987 World Cup final.
1976
Saqlain Mushtaq, the gifted off-spinner for Pakistan, was born on this day. Saqlain is the owner of two ODI hat-tricks. He mastered the doosra, a delivery that spins away from the batsman even though it is delivered with an off-spinner’s action. But his finest moment came in the Test match, at Chennai in 1998-99, when his 10 wickets helped Pakistan beat India by12 runs.
1978
Allan Border, the prolific leader of Australian cricket, made his debut on this day. It was not a memorable debut with Border making a duck in the second innings. But eventually he set Test records for most runs, catches and appearances, and for most consecutive Tests played.
2010
England retained the Ashes in Australia after 24 years.
