Cricket history is full of remarkable moments, and October 22nd has witnessed some extraordinary events throughout the years. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit the noteworthy occurrences that have unfolded on this day.
1983: Malcolm Marshall’s Masterclass in Kanpur
October 22, 1983, marked a memorable day in the illustrious career of the late great Malcolm Marshall. During the first Test against India in Kanpur, Marshall showcased his incredible skills. First, he blazed a Test-best 92 with the bat, displaying his prowess as an all-rounder. But it was his mesmerizing opening spell as a bowler that left cricket enthusiasts in awe. Marshall’s figures of 8-5-9-4, including the dismissal of Sunil Gavaskar on the second ball for a duck, were nothing short of devastating. As India concluded the second day at a mere 34 for 5 in response to West Indies’ formidable 454, it was clear that an innings victory was on the horizon. Marshall went on to claim match figures of 8 for 66. This victory held a touch of revenge for West Indies, as just four months earlier, India had stunned them with a World Cup final victory at Lord’s.
1948: Birth of Mike Hendrick – The Unheralded England Seam Bowler
On this day in 1948, Mike Hendrick was born, and while he might not have achieved the same fame as some of his contemporaries, his contribution to English cricket was invaluable. With a remarkable average of 25.83, Hendrick often went unnoticed among the likes of Larwood, Snow, Botham, Fraser, or Gough. Despite never claiming a five-wicket haul in his 30 Test matches, his accuracy, bounce, and seam movement were his strengths. His finest moment occurred at Headingley in 1977 when he played a pivotal role in England regaining the Ashes.
1978: The Birth of Owais Shah
Owais Shah, a Middlesex prodigy, was born on this day in 1978. He made his county debut at the tender age of 17 in 1996 and earned his first international appearance five years later during England’s one-day series against Australia and Pakistan. Known for his elegant strokeplay, Shah struggled to secure a permanent place in the team during Duncan Fletcher’s coaching era. His only Test appearance was a cameo in Mumbai in March 2006. Despite some promising performances, he suffered setbacks and eventually transitioned into a T20 specialist after being released by Middlesex in 2010.
1989: Graham Gooch’s Bowling Heroics
In a Nehru Cup match against Pakistan in Cuttack, England captain Graham Gooch delivered an unexpected match-winning performance with the ball. Gooch managed to take three wickets for just 19 runs, including the prized scalp of Wasim Akram on the first ball. England secured victory by four wickets. Notably, Pakistan’s batting left much to be desired, with players like Javed Miandad taking 51 balls to score 14 runs and Shoaib Mohammad requiring 34 balls to accumulate just three runs.
1999: Azhar Mahmood’s Spectacular Performance
Azhar Mahmood’s remarkable performance led Pakistan to victory in the Champions Trophy final in Sharjah. He took five wickets for 28 runs as Sri Lanka were bundled out for 123, despite showing promise earlier when they restricted Pakistan to 211 for 9. Mahmood’s excellent form continued as he had taken 6 for 18 against West Indies just three days before this triumph.
2011: Kumar Sangakkara’s Double Century in Abu Dhabi
In Sri Lanka’s first Test in the Middle East, Kumar Sangakkara played a resolute double century in the second innings against Pakistan. This remarkable effort was crucial as Sri Lanka had conceded a lead of over 300 runs. With the security situation in Pakistan being uncertain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai became Sri Lanka’s new “home” venues. The match had seemed to favor Pakistan after a five-wicket haul by debutant Junaid Khan and Taufeeq Umar’s first double century. However, Sangakkara’s innings, along with Prasanna Jayawardene’s century, salvaged a draw.
2019: India’s Whitewash of South Africa
India secured a historic 3-0 whitewash of South Africa in Ranchi, marking their 11th consecutive Test series win at home. Rohit Sharma’s maiden Test double century, a stunning 215, and Ajinkya Rahane’s century set the stage for India’s dominance. The Test saw 16 wickets fall on the third day, with Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav dismantling the South African batting lineup. It was a challenging series for South Africa, who were forced to follow on for the second time in consecutive Tests.
1967: Ian Brayshaw’s Perfect Ten
In a Sheffield Shield match in Perth, Ian Brayshaw, a medium-pacer from Western Australia, achieved an extraordinary feat. He took all ten wickets against Victoria, becoming only the third bowler in Sheffield Shield history to do so. Brayshaw’s figures of 10 for 44 came from 17.6 overs (during the era of eight-ball overs). His victims included renowned Australian cricketers such as Bill Lawry, Bob Cowper, and Keith Stackpole.
1994: Ian Healy’s Fractured Thumb and a Pakistani Victory
During a one-day international in Rawalpindi, Australia suffered a major setback as wicketkeeper Ian Healy fractured his thumb. This injury led to Healy’s absence from the third Test in Lahore. Healy was replaced by Phil Emery in that Test, marking the only match he missed in his 11-year, 119-Test career. Pakistan managed to chase down a challenging target of 251, and Saeed Anwar and Inzamam-ul-Haq’s partnership played a crucial role in their victory.
1995: Fanie de Villiers’ Unique Delivery in Harare
A relatively uneventful one-day international between South Africa and Zimbabwe in Harare took an unusual turn when Fanie de Villiers bowled the first ball of the last over using a paper cup. South Africa made 239, and with Hansie Cronje’s impressive performance, Zimbabwe struggled and fell to a 112-run defeat.
Other Birthdays:
- 1961: Sanath Kaluperuma (Sri Lanka)
- 1966: Blair Hartland (New Zealand)
- 1973: Richard Jones (New Zealand)
- 1975: Nicholas de Groot (Canada)
Cricket history is a treasure trove of remarkable moments, and October 22nd has contributed its fair share to the rich tapestry of the sport. Whether it’s a historic performance, a significant debut, or an unusual incident, these events remind us why cricket is such a captivating game.
