July 2 down the years
All out for 25
Ireland down West Indies
Ireland's original cricketing success story • AFP
1969
The day David slew Goliath. West Indies of 1969 weren't quite the West Indies of 1979, but against Ireland, they would have expected a very easy time. But thanks to the luck of the Irish, or whatever, the crowd at Londonderry witnessed an astonishing day's play. The match was a one-day, two-innings affair, which in the event of a draw would be won by the team that led on first innings. With five of the players who had just drawn the Lord's Test, West Indies were demolished for just 25. Ireland's captain, Dougie Goodwin, took 5 for 6, and Alec O'Riordan 4 for 18. West Indies set out for a jolly thrash, but were soon 12 for 9, before a sterling last-wicket stand of 13. Then, after Ireland made 125 for 8, West Indies slipped to 2 for 2 before salvaging some pride. Goodwin's match figures were an astonishing 14.5-9-7-7. Thirty-five years later, this time in a 50-over game, came another famous triumph for the underdogs in a match against the same sides, when Ireland romped home by six wickets.
The day David slew Goliath. West Indies of 1969 weren't quite the West Indies of 1979, but against Ireland, they would have expected a very easy time. But thanks to the luck of the Irish, or whatever, the crowd at Londonderry witnessed an astonishing day's play. The match was a one-day, two-innings affair, which in the event of a draw would be won by the team that led on first innings. With five of the players who had just drawn the Lord's Test, West Indies were demolished for just 25. Ireland's captain, Dougie Goodwin, took 5 for 6, and Alec O'Riordan 4 for 18. West Indies set out for a jolly thrash, but were soon 12 for 9, before a sterling last-wicket stand of 13. Then, after Ireland made 125 for 8, West Indies slipped to 2 for 2 before salvaging some pride. Goodwin's match figures were an astonishing 14.5-9-7-7. Thirty-five years later, this time in a 50-over game, came another famous triumph for the underdogs in a match against the same sides, when Ireland romped home by six wickets.
1985
Birth of Katherine Brunt, England women's all-time leading wicket taker. Chubby as a teen, she made her England debut in 2004 against New Zealand as a lean, mean strike bowler. She played a key role in England winning their first Women's Ashes in 42 years, in 2005, taking 14 wickets in the two Tests and making her maiden Test fifty. She also took 3 for 6 against New Zealand in the 2009 World T20 final, England's first win in the tournament. Though dogged by injury for much of her decade-and-a-half-long career with England, she remains their most successful fast bowler, and their first to 150 ODI wickets as well. Particularly effective against Australia, Brunt took nine wickets in the 2013 Ashes at an economy of 3.02. In October 2019, Brunt announced her engagement to team-mate Nat Sciver, though their wedding in September 2020 had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Birth of Katherine Brunt, England women's all-time leading wicket taker. Chubby as a teen, she made her England debut in 2004 against New Zealand as a lean, mean strike bowler. She played a key role in England winning their first Women's Ashes in 42 years, in 2005, taking 14 wickets in the two Tests and making her maiden Test fifty. She also took 3 for 6 against New Zealand in the 2009 World T20 final, England's first win in the tournament. Though dogged by injury for much of her decade-and-a-half-long career with England, she remains their most successful fast bowler, and their first to 150 ODI wickets as well. Particularly effective against Australia, Brunt took nine wickets in the 2013 Ashes at an economy of 3.02. In October 2019, Brunt announced her engagement to team-mate Nat Sciver, though their wedding in September 2020 had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
1994
Wily, skiddy fast bowler Hasan Ali, born today, doesn't fit the template of the Pakistan quick bowler - no express pace, no reverse swing - but he has plenty of variations under his belt. He made his international debut in 2016, taking two five-fors in his first 15 ODIs. He would go on to beat Waqar Younis as the fastest to 50 ODI wickets for Pakistan, but Ali's moment really arrived at the 2017 Champions Trophy. He began by leaking 70 runs in his 10 overs in the first game, against India, but bounced back with three-wicket hauls against South Africa, Sri Lanka, and against title favourites England in the semi-final. In the final, against arch rivals India, Ali took 3 for 19, becoming the player of the tournament with 13 wickets at an average of 14.69, and, three months later, the ICC's No. 1 ranked ODI bowler. But his numbers dipped sharply in 2019, partly due a back injury that wasn't diagnosed correctly, and he was left out of PCB's central contracts list in 2020. A year later, Ali took his maiden ten-wicket haul in Tests, in a big win against South Africa in Rawalpindi.
Wily, skiddy fast bowler Hasan Ali, born today, doesn't fit the template of the Pakistan quick bowler - no express pace, no reverse swing - but he has plenty of variations under his belt. He made his international debut in 2016, taking two five-fors in his first 15 ODIs. He would go on to beat Waqar Younis as the fastest to 50 ODI wickets for Pakistan, but Ali's moment really arrived at the 2017 Champions Trophy. He began by leaking 70 runs in his 10 overs in the first game, against India, but bounced back with three-wicket hauls against South Africa, Sri Lanka, and against title favourites England in the semi-final. In the final, against arch rivals India, Ali took 3 for 19, becoming the player of the tournament with 13 wickets at an average of 14.69, and, three months later, the ICC's No. 1 ranked ODI bowler. But his numbers dipped sharply in 2019, partly due a back injury that wasn't diagnosed correctly, and he was left out of PCB's central contracts list in 2020. A year later, Ali took his maiden ten-wicket haul in Tests, in a big win against South Africa in Rawalpindi.
2023
High drama marked the second Ashes Test at Lord's, which began with a pitch invasion by anti-oil protesters and ended in a controversial stumping and an anger-fuelled hundred by Ben Stokes that still wasn't enough for a England victory. On day four Australia had a lead of 370, despite a short-ball barrage from England that took 8 for 92. Then Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins put the boot in, taking four wickets for 45 runs. It would have been five before close of play but Starc's catch of Ben Duckett was ruled not out after he grounded it, the first of many flash points of the match, which ignited on the final day when, with 178 still needed, Bairstow wandered out of his crease before the umpire called the over, only to be stumped by a quick-thinking Alex Carey. The Australians copped some abuse later from MCC members in the pavilion, three of whom were suspended for their misbehaviour. In the increasingly febrile atmosphere after lunch, Ben Stokes almost reprised Headingley 2019, adding 108 with Stuart Broad in 21 overs of mayhem. Though only 70 were needed when Stokes was out for 155, the last four England wickets fell for 25, giving Australia a 2-0 lead in the series.
High drama marked the second Ashes Test at Lord's, which began with a pitch invasion by anti-oil protesters and ended in a controversial stumping and an anger-fuelled hundred by Ben Stokes that still wasn't enough for a England victory. On day four Australia had a lead of 370, despite a short-ball barrage from England that took 8 for 92. Then Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins put the boot in, taking four wickets for 45 runs. It would have been five before close of play but Starc's catch of Ben Duckett was ruled not out after he grounded it, the first of many flash points of the match, which ignited on the final day when, with 178 still needed, Bairstow wandered out of his crease before the umpire called the over, only to be stumped by a quick-thinking Alex Carey. The Australians copped some abuse later from MCC members in the pavilion, three of whom were suspended for their misbehaviour. In the increasingly febrile atmosphere after lunch, Ben Stokes almost reprised Headingley 2019, adding 108 with Stuart Broad in 21 overs of mayhem. Though only 70 were needed when Stokes was out for 155, the last four England wickets fell for 25, giving Australia a 2-0 lead in the series.
2022
The most expensive over in Tests. Stuart Broad had only conceded 54 runs in 17 overs, which included three maidens, in the first innings against India at Edgbaston. In the 18th, he was taken for 35 runs, including a no-ball and a wide, of which Jasprit Bumrah accounted for 29, breaking the record for most runs by a batter off a single over. The record was formerly jointly held by Brian Lara, who hit South Africa's Robin Peterson for 28 in an over in 2003, George Bailey, who took James Anderson for the same number in 2013, and Keshav Maharaj, who hit four fours and two sixes off Joe Root in Port Elizabeth in 2019-20.
The most expensive over in Tests. Stuart Broad had only conceded 54 runs in 17 overs, which included three maidens, in the first innings against India at Edgbaston. In the 18th, he was taken for 35 runs, including a no-ball and a wide, of which Jasprit Bumrah accounted for 29, breaking the record for most runs by a batter off a single over. The record was formerly jointly held by Brian Lara, who hit South Africa's Robin Peterson for 28 in an over in 2003, George Bailey, who took James Anderson for the same number in 2013, and Keshav Maharaj, who hit four fours and two sixes off Joe Root in Port Elizabeth in 2019-20.
1966
The beginning of a momentous innings from Basil Butcher. In the third Test against England at Trent Bridge, Butcher came to the crease with West Indies 65 for 2 in their second innings, still 35 behind England. He was still there eight hours later, having made a superb 209 not out. It took West Indies to 483 for 5 declared, and eventually to a 139-run victory.
The beginning of a momentous innings from Basil Butcher. In the third Test against England at Trent Bridge, Butcher came to the crease with West Indies 65 for 2 in their second innings, still 35 behind England. He was still there eight hours later, having made a superb 209 not out. It took West Indies to 483 for 5 declared, and eventually to a 139-run victory.
1954
Denis Compton's biggest Test score. Pakistan felt the full force of Compton's Brylcreem-sleek strokeplay at Trent Bridge as he carted them for 278 in less than five hours. It was imperious stuff, including a six and 33 fours. Bob Appleyard chipped in with seven wickets, and England won comfortably by an innings.
Denis Compton's biggest Test score. Pakistan felt the full force of Compton's Brylcreem-sleek strokeplay at Trent Bridge as he carted them for 278 in less than five hours. It was imperious stuff, including a six and 33 fours. Bob Appleyard chipped in with seven wickets, and England won comfortably by an innings.
1994
Middlesex seamer Richard Johnson took all ten against Derbyshire but even he didn't think it was a remarkable feat. Derby and Middlesex had racked up a total of 889 runs in their first innings, and facing an innings deficit, Derby's top order went on the attack. At tea, the 19-year-old Johnson had seven wickets and only then did it cross anyone's mind that he could become the first bowler to take a ten-for since 1964 (and the 56th in all). At this point Middlesex captain Mike Gatting brought Desmond Haynes on to bowl so that no wickets would fall at the other end. Devon Malcolm almost ruined Gatting's efforts by slashing wildly and nearly getting himself bowled by Haynes before Johnson wrapped things up with Matthew Taylor's wicket in the next over.
Middlesex seamer Richard Johnson took all ten against Derbyshire but even he didn't think it was a remarkable feat. Derby and Middlesex had racked up a total of 889 runs in their first innings, and facing an innings deficit, Derby's top order went on the attack. At tea, the 19-year-old Johnson had seven wickets and only then did it cross anyone's mind that he could become the first bowler to take a ten-for since 1964 (and the 56th in all). At this point Middlesex captain Mike Gatting brought Desmond Haynes on to bowl so that no wickets would fall at the other end. Devon Malcolm almost ruined Gatting's efforts by slashing wildly and nearly getting himself bowled by Haynes before Johnson wrapped things up with Matthew Taylor's wicket in the next over.
1959
A landmark day for Peter May, who equalled Frank Woolley's record of 52 consecutive Test appearances. May then missed the next game. The record has been shattered many times over since, and Alastair Cook now leads the way with 154. In this match, at Headingley, England walloped India by an innings and 173 runs. Their second-innings destroyer was the unlikely figure of Brian Close, who took a Test-best 4 for 35 with his brisk offspin.
A landmark day for Peter May, who equalled Frank Woolley's record of 52 consecutive Test appearances. May then missed the next game. The record has been shattered many times over since, and Alastair Cook now leads the way with 154. In this match, at Headingley, England walloped India by an innings and 173 runs. Their second-innings destroyer was the unlikely figure of Brian Close, who took a Test-best 4 for 35 with his brisk offspin.
1951
A memorable day for Worcestershire wicketkeeper Hugo Yarnold in Dundee. He made six stumpings in the second innings against Scotland, a first-class record that still stands.
A memorable day for Worcestershire wicketkeeper Hugo Yarnold in Dundee. He made six stumpings in the second innings against Scotland, a first-class record that still stands.
Other birthdays
1858 Reginald Allen (Australia)
1882 Ernie Mayne (Australia)
1907 Leo O'Brien (Australia)
1928 Neil Dansie (Australia)
1934 Ivan Madray (West Indies)
1952 Herbert Chang (West Indies)
1962 Neil Williams (England)
1970 Arati Vaidya (India)
1979 Michael Papps (New Zealand)
1858 Reginald Allen (Australia)
1882 Ernie Mayne (Australia)
1907 Leo O'Brien (Australia)
1928 Neil Dansie (Australia)
1934 Ivan Madray (West Indies)
1952 Herbert Chang (West Indies)
1962 Neil Williams (England)
1970 Arati Vaidya (India)
1979 Michael Papps (New Zealand)