Cricket, a sport steeped in history, has witnessed numerous memorable moments on the 13th of November throughout the years. Let’s take a journey through time and revisit some significant events that unfolded on this day in cricket history.
2014: Rohit Sharma’s Record-Breaking Double Century
On this day in 2014, Rohit Sharma etched his name in the record books by smashing 264 runs against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens. This remarkable innings not only secured his second double century in One Day Internationals (ODIs) but also set a new world record for the highest individual score in ODIs.
Rohit’s innings was a display of sheer dominance, featuring 33 fours and nine sixes. What makes this innings even more intriguing is that he had a narrow escape early on – Thisara Perera dropped a routine catch when Rohit was on just 4. This drop turned out to be the costliest in ODI history, as Rohit went on to create history.
2022: England’s T20 World Cup Triumph
Fast forward to 2022, and England made history by becoming the first team to hold both men’s World Cups simultaneously. In the T20 World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), England defeated Pakistan by five wickets.
Sam Curran emerged as the hero, earning the Player of the Final and of the Tournament awards. His impressive figures of 3 for 12 played a crucial role in limiting Pakistan to a modest 137. England’s successful chase secured their second men’s T20 World Cup title, with the first coming in 2010 in the West Indies.
1995: Shane Warne’s Gabba Masterclass
Shane Warne, the leg-spin wizard, delivered another Gabba masterclass on this day in 1995. In the first Test against Pakistan in Brisbane, Warne’s exceptional bowling figures of 7 for 23 contributed to Australia’s comprehensive victory by an innings and 126 runs.
Aamer Sohail’s valiant 99 in the second innings couldn’t save Pakistan, and Warne’s performance was particularly significant as it came after he had accused Saleem Malik of attempted bribery.
1858: Birth of Percy McDonnell – Australia’s Greek Scholar Captain
In 1858, Percy McDonnell, the only Greek scholar to captain Australia, was born. Known as “Greatheart,” McDonnell was a brilliant attacking batsman with outstanding footwork and hand-eye coordination.
One of his notable innings came in 1881-82 against England in Sydney, where he scored 147, forming a crucial partnership of 199 with Charles Bannerman.
1951: Australia Triumphs Against Ramadhin and Valentine
Australia emerged victorious in a captivating battle against spin duo Alf Valentine and Sonny Ramadhin in Brisbane in 1951. In a low-scoring game, Australia chased down 236 to win the first Test by three wickets. Ramadhin and Valentine bowled a staggering 86% of the overs, causing problems for the Aussie batsmen, but they ultimately fell short.
1906: Charles Gregory’s Record-Breaking Innings
In 1906, Charles Gregory made history by scoring a mighty 383 for New South Wales against Queensland in Brisbane. This monumental innings was the 13th-highest score in first-class cricket history at that time, setting an Australian record. Despite some chances, Gregory’s batting prowess was undeniable.
1990: Gordon Greenidge’s Milestone and West Indies’ Defeat
In the third one-dayer in Multan in 1990, Gordon Greenidge became the sixth batsman to reach 5000 one-day runs. However, his slow-paced 110-ball 35 couldn’t prevent West Indies from suffering a three-wicket defeat against Pakistan. Imran Khan’s unbeaten 46 guided Pakistan to a series clean sweep, only the second time West Indies had lost a one-day series 3-0.
1998: Sachin Tendulkar’s Regal Display in Champions Trophy Final
The Champions Trophy final in Sharjah in 1998 witnessed Sachin Tendulkar’s regal display, as he scored a brilliant 124 off 92 balls against Zimbabwe. India chased down the target with 20 overs to spare, securing victory in one of the more lopsided finals in one-day history.
Other Birthdays on 13th November
- 1901: James Neblett (West Indies)
- 1940: Jack Birkenshaw (England)
- 1944: Ken Shuttleworth (England)
- 1980: Helmien Rambaldo (Netherlands)
On this day, cricket has seen records broken, historic victories, and the birth of notable figures. Each event contributes to the rich tapestry of cricket history, reminding us of the sport’s enduring legacy and its ability to captivate fans around the world.
