Cricket history is filled with memorable moments, and October 23rd has seen its fair share of significant events over the years.
Let’s delve into the cricketing annals and revisit the noteworthy occurrences that transpired on this day.
2022: India-Pakistan T20 World Cup Classic
In 2022, cricket enthusiasts were treated to an electrifying India-Pakistan T20 World Cup encounter that swiftly joined the ranks of classics like the 2007 final and Mohali 2016.
India found themselves in a precarious position, teetering at 31 for 4 while chasing a target of 160. The match took a dramatic turn as Virat Kohli, in partnership with Hardik Pandya, orchestrated a remarkable recovery.
Kohli’s extraordinary performance stole the spotlight. Needing 28 runs off the last eight balls, he executed an incredible back-foot straight six off a slower length delivery from Haris Rauf.
In the following delivery, he flicked the ball over fine leg for another maximum. When Mohammad Nawaz had Hardik caught off a heave on the first ball of the 20th over, it looked like the pendulum might swing in Pakistan’s favor.
However, Kohli’s onslaught continued. A no-ball on height was dispatched for yet another six.
Although Nawaz bowled Kohli with the free-hit delivery, the subsequent ball produced three runs.
The equation came down to one run required, and R Ashwin, the new batsman, elegantly lifted the sixth ball over the infield to seal the win.
Kohli finished as the Player of the Match, scoring an unbeaten 82 off 53 balls, marking only the second time he had crossed 80 in any format since March 2021.
1900: Birth of Douglas Jardine, the Mastermind of Bodyline
On this day in 1900, Douglas Jardine was born, the man known for championing the controversial Bodyline strategy.
As England’s captain, he perfected a strategy that involved short, fast bowling aimed at the batsmen’s bodies, with a ring of fielders on the leg side.
This approach was designed to counter Don Bradman’s prolific run-scoring and secure the Ashes on England’s 1932-33 tour of Australia.
Jardine’s tactics, relying on a battery of accurate fast bowlers led by Harold Larwood, proved effective, as England won the series 4-1.
However, it generated considerable controversy and resentment in Australia. Despite the opposition, Jardine insisted that Bodyline was not unfair.
Notably, Jardine displayed his resilience with a brave century against West Indies’ short-pitched deliveries. He passed away in Switzerland in 1958.
1941: The Birth of Colin Milburn
Born on this day in 1941, Colin Milburn was a genial cricketer from Newcastle, England, whose promising career was tragically cut short.
In 1969, he lost his left eye in a car accident, altering the course of his cricketing journey.
Milburn was often seen as a powerful hitter, but he was fundamentally an orthodox batsman with the strength to dispatch the ball to distant corners of the field.
Notably, he played a heroic match-saving innings of 126 against West Indies at Lord’s in 1966.
Although he only played nine Tests, he made the most of them, with his final Test appearance in Karachi in 1968-69 featuring a blazing 139.
Despite making attempts at a comeback, Milburn’s career didn’t fully recover, and he tragically passed away at the age of 48 in 1990.
2009: New South Wales Triumph in the Inaugural Champions League Twenty20
In a thrilling final, New South Wales emerged victorious against Trinidad & Tobago to win the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 in 2009.
The victory earned them a prize of US$2.5 million. The tournament didn’t receive the same level of enthusiasm as the IPL due to the underperformance of IPL teams.
However, the final in Hyderabad attracted a significant crowd. New South Wales managed to defeat a Trinidad & Tobago side that had gained impressive momentum by winning five consecutive games.
Brett Lee played a pivotal role, scoring 48 runs and taking two early wickets, earning him the Man of the Match and Series honors.
1977: Brad Haddin’s Debut in the Australian Team
Brad Haddin, born on this day in 1977, became the successor to Adam Gilchrist in the Australian cricket team.
Haddin made his international debut in January 2001 but only began making a substantial impact during Australia’s Test series in the West Indies in 2008.
He played through a broken finger and showcased his mettle. Haddin soon became an indispensable presence, bringing stability to the middle order in Test matches and adapting effectively to various positions in ODIs.
Notably, he scored a century in the first Ashes Test in Cardiff in 2009. After a brief hiatus in 2012 due to personal reasons, Haddin faced competition for the wicketkeeper role from Matthew Wade.
He returned for the 2013 Ashes in England and almost led Australia to a remarkable chase with a memorable 71 at Trent Bridge.
Haddin’s cricketing journey culminated with his retirement after the 2015 Ashes series.
1978: Steve Harmison’s Lethal Attributes
Born on this day, Steve Harmison was equipped with a potent combination of height, pace, bounce, and lateral movement.
He had the potential to become an all-time great fast bowler but, regrettably, lacked the requisite drive.
In March 2004, Harmison’s performance at Sabina Park was unforgettable as he dismantled West Indies with astonishing figures of 7 for 12.
However, his menace wasn’t consistently on display after that extraordinary spell.
His entire England career was encapsulated by his impactful performance in the first Ashes Test at Lord’s in 2005, followed by his infamous wide delivery in Brisbane 18 months later.
1956: Ray Lindwall’s Marathon Bowling Spell in Madras
In the stifling heat of Madras, Australia’s Ray Lindwall delivered a remarkable display of endurance in 1956.
Lindwall’s feat led Australia to an innings victory over India in the first Test.
After being sidelined during most of the first innings due to a stomach ailment, Lindwall returned to take an astonishing 7 for 43 in the second innings.
These figures stood as the best by an Australian bowler in India until Jason Krejza’s eight-wicket haul in 2008-09.
2018: England’s Biggest ODI Defeat by Runs
In a dead rubber ODI match in Colombo, England suffered their most substantial defeat by runs, losing by 219 runs to Sri Lanka in 2018.
Having already secured the series victory, England experimented with their playing XI by resting captain Eoin Morgan and others.
On the other side, Sri Lanka’s batting found form, with their top four all reaching half-centuries, marking the first such occurrence since 1998.
Sri Lanka compiled a total of 366. England’s revised target under the Duckworth-Lewis method was 352 runs in 26.1 overs, an imposing challenge.
The contest was effectively over when England fell to 4 for 3 in the second over.
1990: Waqar Younis’ Ten-Wicket Haul
New Zealand found themselves facing a resurgent Waqar Younis in the second Test in Lahore, 1990.
Having lost the first Test by an innings, New Zealand was bowled out for a meager total in the second match.
Waqar Younis, the fast bowler, was in formidable form, claiming ten wickets in the match.
His figures were outstanding, with three wickets for 20 runs in the first innings, and a remarkable 7 for 86 in the second innings.
Waqar’s exploits made the efforts of New Zealand’s Martin Crowe, who scored an unbeaten 108 in nearly ten hours, futile.
1989: Viv Richards’ All-Round Brilliance
In a Nehru Cup match in Delhi in 1989, Viv Richards delivered an extraordinary all-round performance to lead West Indies to a 20-run victory over India.
Richards, the West Indies legend, contributed a blistering 44 off 42 balls with the bat.
However, his true brilliance shone through his spellbinding bowling.
He recorded his best international figures, taking 6 for 41, including three wickets in four balls, as India succumbed to defeat.
1977: The Arrival of Alex Tudor
Fast bowler Alex Tudor, who was born on this day, was a surprise selection ahead of Andy Caddick for the 1998-99 Ashes series.
He made a notable debut in Perth, taking four wickets, and, more importantly, scoring an unbeaten 18 runs that helped England avoid being bowled out for under 100.
Tudor’s contributions extended beyond the ball, as he demonstrated his ability with the bat.
He later made an unbeaten 99, setting the record for the highest Test score by an English nightwatchman, in England’s victory against New Zealand.
Other Birthdays
- 1933: Tom Dewdney (West Indies)
- 1936: Barry Sinclair (New Zealand)
- 1983: Joginder Sharma (India)
October 23rd in cricket history has seen a plethora of remarkable moments, from enthralling T20 contests to the tragic curtailment of promising careers.
These events showcase the diverse tapestry of cricket, with instances of individual brilliance, intense competition, and the enduring spirit of the sport.
