November 3 in the cricketing world marks a tapestry of historic events, showcasing triumphs, controversies, and incredible milestones. From sentencing and landmark matches to awe-inspiring player achievements, the day has seen an array of cricketing moments.
Notable Events on November 3 in Cricket:
2011: Historic Sentencing of Pakistani Players for Spot-Fixing
A significant day in cricket history, as three Pakistani players – Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, and Mohammad Amir – received jail terms due to their involvement in spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test in 2010. Their convictions were the result of a trial held in a London court. The cricketers had been serving ICC bans and were tried for accepting corrupt payments and conspiracy to cheat.
While Amir and agent Mazhar Majeed pleaded guilty, Butt and Asif were found guilty by a jury. The trial included hidden-camera footage of a sting operation conducted by the now-defunct newspaper News of the World. Post their bans being lifted in September 2015, the players were allowed to return to official cricket.
1990: Birth of Ellyse Perry – An All-Round Sensation
Ellyse Perry, a double-international athlete, marked her birth on this day. She became the youngest player to represent Australia in international cricket and has since risen to become one of the biggest stars in women’s cricket.
Perry’s achievements span multiple cricket formats, displaying her prowess in ODI, Test, and T20 cricket. Her exceptional performances, including leading the wicket charts in the World T20, remarkable spells in critical matches, and consistent displays, make her one of the greatest all-rounders the game has seen.
1978: Bishan Bedi’s Unconventional Protest
Indian captain Bishan Bedi made headlines when, during a one-day match against Pakistan in Sahiwal, he decided to call his batters from the field. The unprecedented move was a protest against the bowling of Sarfraz Nawaz, who had delivered four bouncers that weren’t called as wides. Bedi had a history of standing up against issues like intimidatory bowling and had previously declared India’s first innings closed in protest during a Test match against the West Indies.
1999: Longest First-Class Innings by Rajeev Nayyar
Rajeev Nayyar crafted the longest innings in first-class cricket history, compiling an innings that lasted 1015 minutes (five minutes short of 17 hours) for Himachal Pradesh against Jammu & Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy. Nayyar’s remarkable resilience and concentration saw him score 271 runs facing 728 balls, featuring 26 boundaries and a lone six.
2001: Virender Sehwag’s Arrival
Virender Sehwag made a spectacular debut for India in a Test match against South Africa in Bloemfontein. Partnering with his idol Sachin Tendulkar, Sehwag’s innings, where he scored a hundred off 157 balls, played a pivotal role in staging a first-innings recovery. Despite India’s eventual loss, Sehwag’s fearless stroke play announced his arrival on the international stage.
2016: Kraigg Brathwaite’s Heroics and West Indies’ Test Win
Kraigg Brathwaite played a pivotal role in West Indies’ historic Test win against Pakistan in Sharjah. Brathwaite became the first opener to carry his bat in both innings. His nerveless performance alongside Shane Dowrich saw West Indies achieve victory, despite Devendra Bishoo’s extraordinary 18 wickets in the three-match series.
1996: Saqlain Mushtaq’s Hat-Trick and Pakistan’s Dominance
Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq displayed a memorable hat-trick against Zimbabwe in Peshawar during a match marred by crowd trouble. The interruption saw Saqlain securing the wickets of John Rennie, Gavin Rennie, and Andy Whittall as the match concluded with Alistair Campbell absent hurt.
Birthdays on November 3:
- Vaughan Brown, the New Zealand offspinner.
- Bryan Young, the late-developing New Zealand batter.
- Roger Blunt, an all-rounder who played for New Zealand.
- Patsy Hendren, who reached a century of first-class centuries.
This day has witnessed a spectrum of emotions, from momentous achievements to controversial episodes, carving its place in the tapestry of cricket history. As cricket enthusiasts, let’s remember and honor the contributions and milestones set on this day in the sport’s history.
