June 4 down the years
Here's Stokesy!
Birth of an English allrounder
Ben Stokes: bats, bowls, does it all • Getty Images
1991
Birth of England allrounder Ben Stokes, hero of their 2019 World Cup win and the Headingley Ashes chase a month later. Stokes, an attacking left-hand middle-order batter and right-arm seamer, made his debut during England's 5-0 thrashing in Australia in 2013-14, and his credentials went up a notch when he scored 92 and 101 and picked up three crucial second-innings wickets in England's come-from-behind win at Lord's against New Zealand in 2015. In the Newlands Test in 2016, he blazed 258 off only 198 balls, the second-fastest double-hundred in Test history. Shortly before the 2017-18 Ashes, in which everyone was expecting Stokes to be England's lynchpin, he was arrested for his involvement in a punch-up outside a pub in Bristol. He missed the Ashes, but he was back to his bowling best against India in the 2018 series, where he took 6 for 27 in the first Test, and he was found not guilty on the charge of affray for the pub brawl shortly after. Then came the World Cup final at Lord's where he made an unbeaten 84 to tie the game, and the Super Over, to give England their first 50-over world title. In the Ashes series that followed, he chased down 359 against Australia at Headingley, 76 of those runs coming with the No. 11. Stokes was appointed Test captain in 2022, and together with new white-ball coach Brendon McCullum, oversaw a languishing England white-ball side's climb to No. 1, winning nine of their ten Tests under his captaincy that year.
Birth of England allrounder Ben Stokes, hero of their 2019 World Cup win and the Headingley Ashes chase a month later. Stokes, an attacking left-hand middle-order batter and right-arm seamer, made his debut during England's 5-0 thrashing in Australia in 2013-14, and his credentials went up a notch when he scored 92 and 101 and picked up three crucial second-innings wickets in England's come-from-behind win at Lord's against New Zealand in 2015. In the Newlands Test in 2016, he blazed 258 off only 198 balls, the second-fastest double-hundred in Test history. Shortly before the 2017-18 Ashes, in which everyone was expecting Stokes to be England's lynchpin, he was arrested for his involvement in a punch-up outside a pub in Bristol. He missed the Ashes, but he was back to his bowling best against India in the 2018 series, where he took 6 for 27 in the first Test, and he was found not guilty on the charge of affray for the pub brawl shortly after. Then came the World Cup final at Lord's where he made an unbeaten 84 to tie the game, and the Super Over, to give England their first 50-over world title. In the Ashes series that followed, he chased down 359 against Australia at Headingley, 76 of those runs coming with the No. 11. Stokes was appointed Test captain in 2022, and together with new white-ball coach Brendon McCullum, oversaw a languishing England white-ball side's climb to No. 1, winning nine of their ten Tests under his captaincy that year.
1993
Shane Warne's "ball of the century". Mike Gatting usually tucked into bad spin bowlers with the zeal he reserved for lunchtime buffets, and he can't have been too alarmed when a chubby, blond Australian leggie sidled up to bowl his first ball in an Ashes Test. It drifted lazily onto leg stump, then spat back a yard or two and clipped the top of off. The famous picture of Ian Healy aahing and Gatting oohing tells the story perfectly. Australia won the Test by 179 runs, after England's hopes of a draw were dealt a fatal blow when Graham Gooch was out handled the ball on the final afternoon, and they went on to win the series 4-1. It was the ball that made wristspin sexy again, and England never really got over it.
Shane Warne's "ball of the century". Mike Gatting usually tucked into bad spin bowlers with the zeal he reserved for lunchtime buffets, and he can't have been too alarmed when a chubby, blond Australian leggie sidled up to bowl his first ball in an Ashes Test. It drifted lazily onto leg stump, then spat back a yard or two and clipped the top of off. The famous picture of Ian Healy aahing and Gatting oohing tells the story perfectly. Australia won the Test by 179 runs, after England's hopes of a draw were dealt a fatal blow when Graham Gooch was out handled the ball on the final afternoon, and they went on to win the series 4-1. It was the ball that made wristspin sexy again, and England never really got over it.
2013
Less than a month after three Indian cricketers were arrested for their involvement in spot-fixing, Bangladesh's Mohammad Ashraful confessed to participating in spot-fixing and match-fixing in the Bangladesh Premier League earlier in the year. The Bangladesh board decided not to involve him in any form of cricket till the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit submitted its report on investigations into the goings-on in the BPL. He was banned for eight years, but that was later reduced to five, with the last two years suspended.
Less than a month after three Indian cricketers were arrested for their involvement in spot-fixing, Bangladesh's Mohammad Ashraful confessed to participating in spot-fixing and match-fixing in the Bangladesh Premier League earlier in the year. The Bangladesh board decided not to involve him in any form of cricket till the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit submitted its report on investigations into the goings-on in the BPL. He was banned for eight years, but that was later reduced to five, with the last two years suspended.
1957
A famous duel at Edgbaston, as Peter May and Colin Cowdrey (and their pads) came up against Sonny Ramadhin. Ramadhin had demolished England with 7 for 49 in the first innings, and with West Indies taking a lead of 288, there was much work to do if England were to save the game. May and Cowdrey did that and more with a monumental partnership of 411, then a Test record for the fourth wicket. They denied West Indies for nearly two whole days, their pads thrust forward time and again as a first line of defence. May was still there, unbeaten on 285 at the end, the highest score by an England captain until Graham Gooch's 333 in 1990, and Ramadhin bowled the most balls (588) in any first-class innings. His figures were an eye-watering 98-35-179-2.
A famous duel at Edgbaston, as Peter May and Colin Cowdrey (and their pads) came up against Sonny Ramadhin. Ramadhin had demolished England with 7 for 49 in the first innings, and with West Indies taking a lead of 288, there was much work to do if England were to save the game. May and Cowdrey did that and more with a monumental partnership of 411, then a Test record for the fourth wicket. They denied West Indies for nearly two whole days, their pads thrust forward time and again as a first line of defence. May was still there, unbeaten on 285 at the end, the highest score by an England captain until Graham Gooch's 333 in 1990, and Ramadhin bowled the most balls (588) in any first-class innings. His figures were an eye-watering 98-35-179-2.
1915
A New Zealand captain is born. Walter Hadlee is best known as the father of Sir Richard and Dayle, but he played 11 Tests either side of the Second World War, the last eight as captain. The highlight was his sole century, 116 against England in Christchurch in 1946-47. He later became chairman of the New Zealand Board of Control. Hadlee died in Christchurch in 2006, at the age of 91.
A New Zealand captain is born. Walter Hadlee is best known as the father of Sir Richard and Dayle, but he played 11 Tests either side of the Second World War, the last eight as captain. The highlight was his sole century, 116 against England in Christchurch in 1946-47. He later became chairman of the New Zealand Board of Control. Hadlee died in Christchurch in 2006, at the age of 91.
1964
The Test debut of one Geoff Boycott - and he top-scored with 48 as England struggled to 216 for 8 against Australia in the first Test at Trent Bridge. The first of his 16 opening partners was... Fred Titmus, who was shoved up the order when John Edrich pulled out just before the start. On a tricky pitch in this rain-affected draw, Boycott didn't bat in the second innings because of a fractured finger. As time wore on, he would occasionally come up with less convincing reasons to avoid batting on a sticky wicket. He didn't do too badly, though, as a final haul of 8114 Test runs would suggest.
The Test debut of one Geoff Boycott - and he top-scored with 48 as England struggled to 216 for 8 against Australia in the first Test at Trent Bridge. The first of his 16 opening partners was... Fred Titmus, who was shoved up the order when John Edrich pulled out just before the start. On a tricky pitch in this rain-affected draw, Boycott didn't bat in the second innings because of a fractured finger. As time wore on, he would occasionally come up with less convincing reasons to avoid batting on a sticky wicket. He didn't do too badly, though, as a final haul of 8114 Test runs would suggest.
1971
In only his second Test, Zaheer Abbas laced a glorious 274 against England at Edgbaston, a 544-minute affair that included 38 fours. In 14 Tests against England, Zaheer made two centuries - and both were doubles. Pakistan made 608 for 7, and England were soon 148 for 6. They followed on despite a trademark century from Alan Knott, and were still in big trouble going into the last day. Rain came to the rescue, though - fewer than 15 overs were bowled all day.
In only his second Test, Zaheer Abbas laced a glorious 274 against England at Edgbaston, a 544-minute affair that included 38 fours. In 14 Tests against England, Zaheer made two centuries - and both were doubles. Pakistan made 608 for 7, and England were soon 148 for 6. They followed on despite a trademark century from Alan Knott, and were still in big trouble going into the last day. Rain came to the rescue, though - fewer than 15 overs were bowled all day.
1950
Birth of Brian Rose, the England left-hander who is best remembered for leading Somerset to their first silverware, the Gillette Cup and the John Player League in 1979, the beginning of a golden age for them. In the same year he courted controversy by declaring Somerset's innings in a Benson & Hedges Cup match after one over, so as to take advantage of a technicality. It didn't do him much good: he was vilified and Somerset were thrown out of the competition. Rose played nine Tests, and stood up well to the West Indies in 1980, when he made 243 runs at 48.60.
Birth of Brian Rose, the England left-hander who is best remembered for leading Somerset to their first silverware, the Gillette Cup and the John Player League in 1979, the beginning of a golden age for them. In the same year he courted controversy by declaring Somerset's innings in a Benson & Hedges Cup match after one over, so as to take advantage of a technicality. It didn't do him much good: he was vilified and Somerset were thrown out of the competition. Rose played nine Tests, and stood up well to the West Indies in 1980, when he made 243 runs at 48.60.
1998
The Gaffer's first day as England captain. Alec Stewart had been in charge before, but only as a stop gap; when he led England out against South Africa at Edgbaston, it was the real thing. The match ended in a draw after rain washed out the final day, but only after Stewart had inspired some of the most carefree declaration batting seen by an England side in the last 20 years: they slogged their way to 170 for 8 off 45.1 overs, a tentative lead of 289 with a day to play.
The Gaffer's first day as England captain. Alec Stewart had been in charge before, but only as a stop gap; when he led England out against South Africa at Edgbaston, it was the real thing. The match ended in a draw after rain washed out the final day, but only after Stewart had inspired some of the most carefree declaration batting seen by an England side in the last 20 years: they slogged their way to 170 for 8 off 45.1 overs, a tentative lead of 289 with a day to play.
1958
Birth of the man who postponed his wedding to play for England. Sussex seamer Tony Pigott needn't have bothered - his wedding was scheduled for the fourth day of the Test against New Zealand in Christchurch, and England were stuffed by an innings inside three, bowled out for 82 and 93 in one of their most humiliating defeats. It was Pigott's only Test. He later played for Surrey, and kickstarted the Sussex revolution as chief executive.
Birth of the man who postponed his wedding to play for England. Sussex seamer Tony Pigott needn't have bothered - his wedding was scheduled for the fourth day of the Test against New Zealand in Christchurch, and England were stuffed by an innings inside three, bowled out for 82 and 93 in one of their most humiliating defeats. It was Pigott's only Test. He later played for Surrey, and kickstarted the Sussex revolution as chief executive.
1975
Dinanath Ramnarine, born today, took 45 wickets with his legbreaks in 12 Tests for West Indies. Some average international performances and brushes with those in a position to influence selection led to him retiring at 28 to pursue his West Indies Players' Association role full-time. He soon found himself in direct conflict with the West Indies board as player disputes became more regular, with both parties tussling for power. In 2007, under the new regime headed by Julian Hunte, he was invited onto the main WICB board. It lasted just two years until he tendered his resignation. He continued to serve as the players' association chief but after ten years of fighting for players' interests, he resigned in 2012.
Dinanath Ramnarine, born today, took 45 wickets with his legbreaks in 12 Tests for West Indies. Some average international performances and brushes with those in a position to influence selection led to him retiring at 28 to pursue his West Indies Players' Association role full-time. He soon found himself in direct conflict with the West Indies board as player disputes became more regular, with both parties tussling for power. In 2007, under the new regime headed by Julian Hunte, he was invited onto the main WICB board. It lasted just two years until he tendered his resignation. He continued to serve as the players' association chief but after ten years of fighting for players' interests, he resigned in 2012.
2017
India got their Champions Trophy title defence off to a cracking start with a 124-run beating of Pakistan, their sixth win in a row over their arch-rivals in ICC events. Yuvraj Singh, who returned to the ODI side earlier in the year after three years out of it, and Virat Kohli belted 89 off the last six overs. India finished on 319, helped in no small part by shoddy fielding from Pakistan (eventual winners), who, faced with a rain-reduced target of 289 off 41 overs, proceeded to fold for 164.
India got their Champions Trophy title defence off to a cracking start with a 124-run beating of Pakistan, their sixth win in a row over their arch-rivals in ICC events. Yuvraj Singh, who returned to the ODI side earlier in the year after three years out of it, and Virat Kohli belted 89 off the last six overs. India finished on 319, helped in no small part by shoddy fielding from Pakistan (eventual winners), who, faced with a rain-reduced target of 289 off 41 overs, proceeded to fold for 164.
1982
The birth of Thilina Kandamby, a promising young batter who was in and out of the Sri Lankan side in the mid-2000s. He competed for a spot in the one-day middle order with Thilan Samaraweera and Chamara Kapugedera but lost out to them in the race for a place in the 2011 World Cup squad. He was recalled for the tour of England later that year but was dropped again, recalled after three years for a solitary one-dayer and failed to make the 2015 World Cup squad.
The birth of Thilina Kandamby, a promising young batter who was in and out of the Sri Lankan side in the mid-2000s. He competed for a spot in the one-day middle order with Thilan Samaraweera and Chamara Kapugedera but lost out to them in the race for a place in the 2011 World Cup squad. He was recalled for the tour of England later that year but was dropped again, recalled after three years for a solitary one-dayer and failed to make the 2015 World Cup squad.
Other birthdays
1876 Robert Dower (South Africa)
1887 Nelson Betancourt (West Indies)
1910 George Carew (West Indies)
1959 Russell Tiffin (Zimbabwe)
1973 Kalpana Liyanarachchi (Sri Lanka)
1975 Alex Wharf (England)
1876 Robert Dower (South Africa)
1887 Nelson Betancourt (West Indies)
1910 George Carew (West Indies)
1959 Russell Tiffin (Zimbabwe)
1973 Kalpana Liyanarachchi (Sri Lanka)
1975 Alex Wharf (England)