Cricket history has seen its fair share of memorable moments and legendary players. On this day, October 5, several significant events took place in the world of cricket. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of these cricketing milestones:
1952 – Happy Birthday, Imran Khan! Few cricket enthusiasts would argue against the claim that Imran Khan, born on this day, is Pakistan’s greatest cricketer. Imran’s charisma on and off the field made him a heartthrob for millions. His impressive stats, with a batting average of 37.69 and a bowling average of 22.81, placed him among the top all-rounders of the 1980s, alongside Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee, and Kapil Dev. In his last decade of international cricket, Imran played 51 Tests, averaging a remarkable 50 with the bat and 19 with the ball. He also made a mark in one-day cricket, scoring over 3700 runs and taking 182 wickets. Imran Khan’s legacy extended beyond cricket, as he later ventured into a successful political career.
2010 – Mohali Thriller The cricketing world witnessed a thrilling Test match between India and Australia in Mohali on this day in 2010. India faced a daunting task of chasing 216 runs in just one day and 17 overs. What seemed like a comfortable chase initially turned into a nail-biting contest, with India at 55 for 4 by stumps. VVS Laxman, struggling with a back spasm, played a heroic innings despite batting at No. 7 with a runner. India eventually won by a wicket, and this victory set the tone for India’s series win against Australia.
1940 – Bob Cowper’s Birth Bob Cowper, born on this day, made history by becoming the first cricketer to score a triple-century in a Test match in Australia. He achieved this milestone by scoring 307 runs against England in Melbourne during the 1965-66 series. Cowper was known for his strong performance in the Caribbean and his all-round abilities, including his skiddy offspin. After retiring from cricket at 30, he pursued a successful career in banking and later became one of the first ICC match referees.
1983 – The Birth of Mashrafe Mortaza Mashrafe Mortaza, Bangladesh’s most successful ODI captain and a fast-bowling superstar, was born on this day. Mortaza’s career was marked by injuries, but he spearheaded Bangladesh’s bowling attack during the team’s early years in Tests. He played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s memorable victory over India in the 2007 World Cup. Later, as the white-ball captain, Mortaza led Bangladesh to 50 ODI wins, elevating them to a competitive level in limited-overs cricket.
1963 – Debutant Tony Dodemaide’s Birth Tony Dodemaide, a debutant who made a remarkable start to his international career, was born on this day. He became the first cricketer to take a five-for on ODI debut, achieving this feat against Sri Lanka in 1987-88. Dodemaide also made 50 and took 6 for 58 on his Test debut against New Zealand in 1987-88. Despite these impressive debuts, his international career was relatively short, with only ten Test and 24 ODI appearances.
2009 – Australia’s Champions Trophy Win After losing the Ashes, Australia bounced back in the one-day format by defeating England 6-1 in a bilateral series and winning their second consecutive Champions Trophy. In the final match against New Zealand, Shane Watson’s unbeaten century secured Australia’s victory, completing a successful campaign for the team.
1935 – Jimmy Binks, the Prolific Keeper Jimmy Binks, an underrated wicketkeeper, was born on this day. Binks set a record by playing 412 consecutive County Championship matches for Yorkshire between 1955 and 1969. Known for his consistent keeping skills, he made 107 dismissals in 1960, a record that still stands today.
1999 – Washington Sundar’s Birth Offspinner Washington Sundar, born on this day, represented India in the 2016 Under-19 World Cup. Sundar made his ODI and T20I debuts against Sri Lanka in 2017 and later joined the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. His versatility as a middle-order allrounder made him a valuable addition to the Indian cricket team.
1963 – Hugh Morris, the Brave Opener Hugh Morris, born on this day, played three Tests for England in 1991. While he made a brave 44 in a famous victory over West Indies at The Oval, his consistent county-level performances did not earn him a long run in the national side. After his playing career, Morris took on various roles in cricket administration.
1982 – Australia’s Collapse in Faisalabad In a Test match in Faisalabad, Australia faced a formidable challenge from Pakistan. Needing to bat out the final day with only six wickets in hand, Australia was dismissed for 330, handing Pakistan an innings victory and a 2-0 lead in the series. Abdul Qadir’s seven-wicket haul was instrumental in Pakistan’s win, despite Greg Ritchie’s brave resistance with an unbeaten century.
1932 – The Enigmatic Case of Madhav Apte Indian opener Madhav Apte, who averaged nearly 50 in his first seven Tests, was born on this day. Apte played an outstanding innings of 163* against Pakistan in 1952-53 but was surprisingly dropped from the team despite consistent performances. Despite his heavy scoring in domestic cricket, he never received another chance to represent India.
2015 – Crowd Trouble in Cuttack During a T20I match between India and South Africa in Cuttack, crowd trouble marred the proceedings. After India posted a low total of 92, spectators began throwing plastic bottles onto the field during the innings break. The police had to intervene, and play was interrupted multiple times. South Africa eventually won the match and clinched the series 2-0.
These events on October 5 reflect the rich and diverse history of cricket, showcasing the achievements and challenges that the sport has witnessed over the years.
