July 31 down the years
Laker's match
Australia v the unstoppable force
Jim Laker (second from right) was the first to take all ten wickets in an innings in Tests • PA Photos
1956
History was made at Old Trafford when Jim Laker took his 19th wicket in the fourth Test against Australia, including all ten wickets in the second innings. Laker had warmed up for his day of reckoning by taking 9 for 37 in Australia's first outing, the best return ever by an England bowler in Ashes cricket. In the second innings he was unstoppable, and when the last man, Len Maddocks, was trapped lbw, Laker had taken all ten wickets for 53 runs. No less astonishing was Tony Lock's 1 for 106 in 71.4 overs in the match. The Australians were said to be fuming about an Old Trafford pitch that had been deliberately underprepared to suit the spinners, but as their captain, Ian Johnson, said afterwards: "When the controversy and side issues of the match are forgotten, Laker's wonderful bowling will remain."
History was made at Old Trafford when Jim Laker took his 19th wicket in the fourth Test against Australia, including all ten wickets in the second innings. Laker had warmed up for his day of reckoning by taking 9 for 37 in Australia's first outing, the best return ever by an England bowler in Ashes cricket. In the second innings he was unstoppable, and when the last man, Len Maddocks, was trapped lbw, Laker had taken all ten wickets for 53 runs. No less astonishing was Tony Lock's 1 for 106 in 71.4 overs in the match. The Australians were said to be fuming about an Old Trafford pitch that had been deliberately underprepared to suit the spinners, but as their captain, Ian Johnson, said afterwards: "When the controversy and side issues of the match are forgotten, Laker's wonderful bowling will remain."
1919
Lieutenant-Colonel Hemu Adhikari was born. The Second World War delayed his Test debut until he was nearly 29 and his official army duties restricted his appearances to 21 of 47 Tests played in his time. A fine player of spin, he made up for a weakness against genuine pace with a large heart. He was in Indian teams that played inaugural Tests against Australia, West Indies and Pakistan, and his best performances came against these three teams. His only Test century came against West Indies in Delhi in 1948-49, while his 109-run stand with Ghulam Ahmed for the last wicket against Pakistan four years later was an Indian record that was only broken in 2004. After retirement he became a respected manager of Indian touring teams and was influential in shaping the careers of Sunil Gavaskar, Mohinder Amarnath, Kapil Dev and Syed Kirmani, among others.
Lieutenant-Colonel Hemu Adhikari was born. The Second World War delayed his Test debut until he was nearly 29 and his official army duties restricted his appearances to 21 of 47 Tests played in his time. A fine player of spin, he made up for a weakness against genuine pace with a large heart. He was in Indian teams that played inaugural Tests against Australia, West Indies and Pakistan, and his best performances came against these three teams. His only Test century came against West Indies in Delhi in 1948-49, while his 109-run stand with Ghulam Ahmed for the last wicket against Pakistan four years later was an Indian record that was only broken in 2004. After retirement he became a respected manager of Indian touring teams and was influential in shaping the careers of Sunil Gavaskar, Mohinder Amarnath, Kapil Dev and Syed Kirmani, among others.
1953
Birth of the South African opener Jimmy Cook, who scored a whole shedload of runs for Somerset. Forced to wait till he was 39 for his first taste of Test cricket, he was out to his very first ball - from Kapil Dev - the opening delivery of a match against India in Durban in 1992-93. He played another two Tests before retiring, after which he captained Transvaal and turned his hand to coaching.
Birth of the South African opener Jimmy Cook, who scored a whole shedload of runs for Somerset. Forced to wait till he was 39 for his first taste of Test cricket, he was out to his very first ball - from Kapil Dev - the opening delivery of a match against India in Durban in 1992-93. He played another two Tests before retiring, after which he captained Transvaal and turned his hand to coaching.
1943
Yorkshire's great slow left-armer Hedley Verity died in a prisoner-of-war camp in Italy. He set a world record by taking 10 for 10 against Notts, and in 1934 dismissed 14 batters in a day to give England their only win against Australia at Lord's in the 20th century.
Yorkshire's great slow left-armer Hedley Verity died in a prisoner-of-war camp in Italy. He set a world record by taking 10 for 10 against Notts, and in 1934 dismissed 14 batters in a day to give England their only win against Australia at Lord's in the 20th century.
1973
Fair-haired and full of flair, Frank Hayes scored a hundred on his Test debut on this day, against West Indies at The Oval. But nerves got in the way of his Test career, in which he never again scored more than 29, and he eventually averaged only 15.25. Hayes scored 34 runs off an over in 1977 and later taught maths and physics at Oakham School.
Fair-haired and full of flair, Frank Hayes scored a hundred on his Test debut on this day, against West Indies at The Oval. But nerves got in the way of his Test career, in which he never again scored more than 29, and he eventually averaged only 15.25. Hayes scored 34 runs off an over in 1977 and later taught maths and physics at Oakham School.
1984
England's first blackwash was in the post after West Indies went 4-0 up after four with an innings victory at Old Trafford. Gordon Greenidge smashed his second double-century of the series - he averaged over 100 in Old Trafford Tests - but it was Winston Davis who really put the boot in. Not content with creaming a career-best 77, he fractured Paul Terry's left arm with a short ball that didn't get up as Terry expected. Terry bravely returned to see Allan Lamb to a first-innings century - it was Lamb's third in as many Tests; not bad given the havoc being wreaked all around him.
England's first blackwash was in the post after West Indies went 4-0 up after four with an innings victory at Old Trafford. Gordon Greenidge smashed his second double-century of the series - he averaged over 100 in Old Trafford Tests - but it was Winston Davis who really put the boot in. Not content with creaming a career-best 77, he fractured Paul Terry's left arm with a short ball that didn't get up as Terry expected. Terry bravely returned to see Allan Lamb to a first-innings century - it was Lamb's third in as many Tests; not bad given the havoc being wreaked all around him.
1975
Birth of a cricketer who survived being shot at point-blank range. Andrew Hall took a bullet to his left hand as a mugger let fly six shots at him at an ATM late one night in 1998. The bullet lodged in his hand without causing serious damage but Hall recovered sufficiently to win a place in South Africa's one-day side against West Indies in 1999. During the 2003 England tour he cemented his position as a valuable member of the side, and in November 2004, opening for the first time, against India in Kanpur, plodded to 163 off 454 balls. Hall retired in 2007 after being excluded from South Africa's World T20 squad; he then joined Northamptonshire and signed up for the Indian Cricket League.
Birth of a cricketer who survived being shot at point-blank range. Andrew Hall took a bullet to his left hand as a mugger let fly six shots at him at an ATM late one night in 1998. The bullet lodged in his hand without causing serious damage but Hall recovered sufficiently to win a place in South Africa's one-day side against West Indies in 1999. During the 2003 England tour he cemented his position as a valuable member of the side, and in November 2004, opening for the first time, against India in Kanpur, plodded to 163 off 454 balls. Hall retired in 2007 after being excluded from South Africa's World T20 squad; he then joined Northamptonshire and signed up for the Indian Cricket League.
2017
A hat-trick by Moeen Ali sealed England's resounding win over South Africa in the 100th Test to be played at The Oval. It was the first hat-trick in a Test at the venue and the first by an England spinner in 79 years. The groundwork for the 239-run win was laid on days two and three. First, Ben Stokes slammed an attacking hundred to help England up to 353. Then debutant Toby Roland-Jones took a five-for as South Africa were bundled out for 175. By the final day, South Africa were in a hole and not even Dean Elgar's fighting hundred could salvage a draw.
A hat-trick by Moeen Ali sealed England's resounding win over South Africa in the 100th Test to be played at The Oval. It was the first hat-trick in a Test at the venue and the first by an England spinner in 79 years. The groundwork for the 239-run win was laid on days two and three. First, Ben Stokes slammed an attacking hundred to help England up to 353. Then debutant Toby Roland-Jones took a five-for as South Africa were bundled out for 175. By the final day, South Africa were in a hole and not even Dean Elgar's fighting hundred could salvage a draw.
1800
Eton beat Winchester by an innings and 128 runs at Lord's. Thomas Lloyd top-scored with 81, but caught a chill from his exertions during the game and died shortly afterwards.
Eton beat Winchester by an innings and 128 runs at Lord's. Thomas Lloyd top-scored with 81, but caught a chill from his exertions during the game and died shortly afterwards.
1902
Birth of Gubby Allen. Later Sir George Oswald Browning Allen, he took 21 wickets in 1932-33 without bowling Bodyline, captained England in the feverish 1936-37 series, and for many years was influential behind the scenes at Lord's.
Birth of Gubby Allen. Later Sir George Oswald Browning Allen, he took 21 wickets in 1932-33 without bowling Bodyline, captained England in the feverish 1936-37 series, and for many years was influential behind the scenes at Lord's.
1912
Australian opening batter Bill Brown was born. Top of his Test achievements was an innings of 206, carrying his bat, at Lord's in 1938. He was controversially run out while backing up (in the original instance of "Mankading") against India in 1947-48.
Australian opening batter Bill Brown was born. Top of his Test achievements was an innings of 206, carrying his bat, at Lord's in 1938. He was controversially run out while backing up (in the original instance of "Mankading") against India in 1947-48.
2014
The end of a ten-match winless run. England sealed a 266-run victory over India in the third Test, in Southampton, to level the series 1-1 with two to play. They took the six remaining Indian wickets on the final day - with offspinner Moeen Ali bagging 6 for 67, his maiden Test five-for. The victory was doubly sweet for Alastair Cook, who was under pressure to step down after the defeat in the second Test, at Lord's. He rediscovered his batting form with two half-centuries and was backed up by his senior players - Bell, Broad, and Anderson - who played a big part in the victory.
The end of a ten-match winless run. England sealed a 266-run victory over India in the third Test, in Southampton, to level the series 1-1 with two to play. They took the six remaining Indian wickets on the final day - with offspinner Moeen Ali bagging 6 for 67, his maiden Test five-for. The victory was doubly sweet for Alastair Cook, who was under pressure to step down after the defeat in the second Test, at Lord's. He rediscovered his batting form with two half-centuries and was backed up by his senior players - Bell, Broad, and Anderson - who played a big part in the victory.
2015
England win a three-day Ashes Test. On an Edgbaston pitch that was prepared with the aid of lamps usually used for the cultivation of cannabis, 27 wickets fell on the first two days. James Anderson and Steven Finn took six-fors, dismissing Australia for 136 and 265. England only managed 281 in their first innings, so they had to bat again, which allowed Ian Bell to score his second half-century of the match and give his side a 2-1 lead in the series.
England win a three-day Ashes Test. On an Edgbaston pitch that was prepared with the aid of lamps usually used for the cultivation of cannabis, 27 wickets fell on the first two days. James Anderson and Steven Finn took six-fors, dismissing Australia for 136 and 265. England only managed 281 in their first innings, so they had to bat again, which allowed Ian Bell to score his second half-century of the match and give his side a 2-1 lead in the series.
1982
Fast bowler Blessing Mahwire, born today, was the first player from Zimbabwe's Masvingo province to play Test cricket, and turned out in ten matches between 2002 and 2006. Halfway through that period he managed a best of 4 for 92, after remodelling his action when the ICC reported it as suspect. He also worked as the chief of the Zimbabwe Professional Cricketers' Association.
Fast bowler Blessing Mahwire, born today, was the first player from Zimbabwe's Masvingo province to play Test cricket, and turned out in ten matches between 2002 and 2006. Halfway through that period he managed a best of 4 for 92, after remodelling his action when the ICC reported it as suspect. He also worked as the chief of the Zimbabwe Professional Cricketers' Association.
Other birthdays
1916 Verdun Scott (New Zealand)
1939 Roger Prideaux (England)
1963 Davis Joseph (Canada)
1968 Saeed Al-Saffar (United Arab Emirates)
1975 Ashish Patel (Canada)
1916 Verdun Scott (New Zealand)
1939 Roger Prideaux (England)
1963 Davis Joseph (Canada)
1968 Saeed Al-Saffar (United Arab Emirates)
1975 Ashish Patel (Canada)