Cricket history is rich with moments of triumph, controversy, and remarkable performances. On this day, October 4th, various significant events in the cricketing world unfolded. Let’s revisit these memorable occurrences.
1931 – Basil D’Oliveira’s Controversial Journey:
Basil D’Oliveira, born on this day, possessed immense cricketing talent but is remembered for unfortunate reasons. D’Oliveira, known as “Dolly,” was denied opportunities in top-class South African cricket due to his Cape Colored heritage. He found refuge in England, where he played league cricket and was eventually signed by Worcestershire. His Test debut for England came at the age of 34 against West Indies at Lord’s. Despite his all-round success, D’Oliveira faced controversy when he was initially omitted from the team touring South Africa in 1968-69. His subsequent inclusion led to the tour’s cancellation and a 25-year international incident. Throughout the ordeal, D’Oliveira displayed dignity and decency.
1996 – Shahid Afridi’s Record-Breaking Century:
October 4th marked the day when Shahid Afridi set a record for the fastest hundred in one-day cricket. Promoted to pinch-hit at No. 3 in his debut ODI innings, Afridi unleashed a savage assault on Sri Lanka during the KCA Centenary Tournament match in Nairobi. He reached his century in just 37 balls, surpassing Sanath Jayasuriya’s previous record of 48. Afridi’s innings featured 11 sixes, equalling Jayasuriya’s ODI record. He also took 28 runs off one over from Jayasuriya, setting a record for non-Jayasuriya batters. Afridi held the century record for 17 years until it was surpassed by Corey Anderson (36 balls) and later by AB de Villiers (31 balls).
1998 – Ian Healy’s Wicketkeeping Record:
In the first Test in Rawalpindi, Ian Healy achieved a significant milestone by surpassing Rod Marsh’s world record of 355 Test dismissals. Healy’s final tally included 366 catches and 29 stumpings in his 119 Test appearances. His record stood for exactly nine years until Mark Boucher overtook it in the Karachi Test in 2007.
1979 – Adam Voges’ Test Debut Century:
On this day, Adam Voges of Australia became the oldest player to score a century on Test debut. Voges, at the age of 35, scored an unbeaten 130 against West Indies. Although his form dipped in the subsequent Ashes series, he made a significant impact against West Indies once again in the home series of 2015-16, recording an unbeaten double century and a hundred. Voges finished with an astonishing average of 162 over eight Tests in a six-month period starting in August 2015.
1920 – George Tribe’s Versatility:
Australian cricketer George Tribe, born on this day, played only three Tests but made a distinguished career for Northamptonshire during the 1950s. Known for his ability to mix chinamen with orthodox left-arm spin, Tribe was a genuine all-rounder. He achieved the rare feat of scoring 1000 runs and taking 100 wickets on seven occasions, including six consecutive years from 1952 to 1957. In 1955, he was honored as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year.
1998 – Birth of Shadab Khan:
Shadab Khan, a leg-spinning all-rounder from Pakistan, was born on this day. His impressive performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) earned him a call-up to the national side for T20Is against West Indies in March 2017. In his debut series, he showcased his talent by taking seven wickets for just 21 runs in the first two matches. Shadab was soon included in the ODI squad and was part of the Pakistan team that won the 2017 Champions Trophy.
1997 – Birth of Rishabh Pant:
The ever-smiling and attacking wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant, was born on this day. Pant played a memorable role in India’s historic Test and series win in Brisbane in 2021, scoring an unbeaten 89 in a second-string India side’s successful chase of 328. He has been known for his explosive batting style, particularly against England, against whom he has scored some of his first five Test centuries, most of them at a rapid pace.
1911 – Reg Perks’ Remarkable Bowling:
Reg Perks, born on this day, took over 2000 first-class wickets for Worcestershire and managed 100 wickets in a season on 16 occasions. He was a distinguished performer despite playing only two Tests. On debut, he took 5 for 100 in the timeless Test of 1938-39, where England closed a ten-day Test at 654 for 5, chasing 696 to beat South Africa. In the following summer, Perks claimed 5 for 156 against West Indies in England’s last Test before the Second World War at The Oval.
1999 – Sri Lanka’s Historic Series Victory:
Rain in Colombo prevented play on the final day of the third Test, securing Sri Lanka’s first-ever series victory over Australia. This victory marked a significant milestone for Sri Lanka, while Australia would go on to win their next 16 Tests.
Other Birthdays:
- 1936: David Pithey (South Africa)
- 1964: David Brain (Zimbabwe)
- 1971: Aamer Hanif (Pakistan)
- 1993: Akila Dananjaya (Sri Lanka)
These events and birthdays in cricket history on October 4th highlight the sport’s diverse narratives, from records and controversies to remarkable debuts and achievements.
