1974
Greg Chappell recorded the best aggregate in a single Test by scoring 247* and 133 against New Zealand at Wellington. Graham Gooch broke that record in 1990. This match remains the only one instance when two brothers scored a century in the same innings. Ian Chappel made 145 and added 264 for the third wicket with his brother.
1977
Andrew Strauss, the reliable English batsman, was born on this day. Stauss made a hundred in his debut against New Zealand at Lord’s in 2004. He scored maximum number of runs in his initial two yers before entering a lean patch. But his masterful innings of 177 against New Zealand in 2006 proved his class. Strauss was appointed captain and led England to an Ashes triumph. But he suddenly announced his retirement and played his last Test that was his 100th at his homeground, Lord’s.
1979
Mark Vermeulen, a bright prospect for Zimbabwe but whose career took an ugly turn, was born on this day. Early in his career, he was struck on the head by a bouncer from Irfan Pathan. He was roughly injured and even seemed to have lost his mental balance. In 2006, he was arrested for setting fire to the offices of the Harare Sports Club and the National Academy. He was accused but was cleared at his trial on the grounds that he had had psychiatric problems and partial complex epilepsy ever since the injury. He was given a second chance in 2014 to play against South Africa in 2014. But he was banned from all cricket by the board after it emerged that he had engaged in a racist tirade on social media.
2011
Kevin O’Brien, smashed many records in his way to score the fastest hundred in World Cup. In Bngalore, against England, Ireland won the match that nobody expected them to win. England racked up 327 and Ireland lost a wicket off the first ball of their chase. They were down by 4 wickets. But O’Brien’s unforgettable innings created history for them.
