1929
Peter May, the classy batsman and a successful captain for England, was born on this day. May had a Test average of 46.77. He has a highest score of 285 in a record stand of 411 with Colin Cowdrey at Edgbaston in 1957. He captained England in 41 consecutive Test matches.
1958
Geoff Marsh, the dashing opening batsman for Australia, was born on this day. His opening partnerships with Mark Taylor was the talking point during their playing days. He and Taylor still hold an Ashes record of 329 runs for the first wicket.
1965
Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, the leg-spinner who took the world by storm in his youth, was born on this day. At 17, Siva made his Test debut for India against West Indies in Antigua in 1982-83. But he could not live up to people’s expectation and played in only nine Tests. He took 26 wickets at 44.03 each.
1976
Matthew Hoggard, one of the leading bowlers of England, was born on this day. In 67 Tests Hoggard took 248 wickets. He took a hat-trick in Barbados in April 2004 against West Indies.
