Cricket has witnessed numerous historic moments on October 6th throughout the years. From legendary players’ birthdays to remarkable matches and records, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the notable events that have occurred in cricket history on this day.
1930 – Richie Benaud: A Legend is Born
On this day, the cricketing world welcomed Richie Benaud, who would later become one of the most iconic commentators in the sport’s history. However, before donning the microphone, Benaud was a remarkable all-rounder – a dynamic batter, an agile fielder, a cunning legspinner, and an outstanding captain. His leadership skills were evident as Australia’s skipper, where he lost only four of the 28 Tests he led, and his team never lost a series under his captaincy. Benaud’s most memorable performance came at Old Trafford in 1961 when he claimed 6 for 70, helping Australia retain the Ashes in a crucial Test match.
In addition to his playing career, Benaud was highly regarded as a journalist, known for his economical and authoritative style. He left an indelible mark on cricket and passed away at the age of 84 after a long battle with skin cancer and the effects of a car accident in 2013.
1946 – Tony Greig: A Controversial Allrounder
Tony Greig, born in South Africa on this day, was a unique figure in the world of cricket. With a Scottish father and a Scottish-South African background, Greig went on to captain England and later settled in Australia. Known for his muscular all-round abilities and a penchant for the grand stage, Greig was never far from controversy.
He played a pivotal role in the establishment of World Series Cricket and was involved in a notorious run-out incident involving Alvin Kallicharran. Greig’s infamous “We’ll make them grovel” comment came back to haunt him during a series against West Indies in 1976. Despite his polarizing style, Greig enjoyed a successful career as a TV commentator. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2012 and later succumbed to a heart attack.
1975 – Reon King: The Speedster from Guyana
Reon King, the athletic fast bowler from Guyana with a slinky run-up reminiscent of Michael Holding, was born on this day. King was considered West Indies’ fastest bowler in the late 1990s and made his mark by picking up a five-wicket haul in just his second Test in 2000. However, injuries and a dip in form saw him fade away from the international scene.
He made a comeback during the home series against South Africa in 2004-05 when several key players were sidelined due to a contract dispute. King’s career was marked by its highs and lows, but his contributions to West Indies cricket remain significant.
1984 – Morne Morkel: The Pace Sensation
Morne Morkel, born on this day, was a genuine pace sensation. The tall fast bowler possessed the ability to extract bounce due to his height and genuine pace. Morkel made an impact early in his Test career, grabbing a five-wicket haul in only his second Test match in 2008. He played a vital role in South Africa’s series wins in England in 2008-09 and their rise to the No. 1 Test ranking.
Morkel’s partnership with Dale Steyn and later Vernon Philander made South Africa’s pace attack formidable. He played a significant role in various Test victories, including an impressive 8 for 196 in a thrilling draw in Adelaide in 2012. Morkel also excelled in the 2015 World Cup, finishing as South Africa’s leading wicket-taker.
1929 – Les Favell: The Hook Master
Les Favell, known for his fearless approach and ability to master the hook shot, was born on this day. A dynamic opener, Favell scored runs at a rapid pace and once famously scored 22 runs off the first four balls of an innings against Trinidad in 1955. However, his only Test century came when he adopted a more conservative approach, scoring 101 runs that set up an innings victory for Australia in Madras in 1959-60.
Favell’s legendary status in Adelaide, where he was born, was cemented, and he finished his career with over 12,000 first-class runs. His remarkable batting style left a lasting impression, but he sadly passed away from cancer in 1987.
2018 – Prithvi Shaw: A Record-Breaking Debut
Eighteen-year-old Prithvi Shaw etched his name in the record books on this day. In his debut Test match against West Indies in Rajkot, Shaw became the youngest Indian to score a century on debut. He achieved this feat in a match where India secured their biggest Test win ever, triumphing by an innings and 272 runs. Shaw’s debut century signaled the arrival of a promising young talent in Indian cricket.
1887 – George Brown: The Unconventional Allrounder
George Brown, an unconventional allrounder who kept wickets, was a formidable figure on the cricket field. Brown was known for his striking appearance and unique playing style. He batted left-handed, bowled right-handed, and donned the wicketkeeping gloves in all seven Tests he played. His contributions to Hampshire in first-class cricket were remarkable, with over 25,000 runs and 600 wickets to his name. George Brown’s unconventional approach to the game made him a memorable figure in cricket history.
1978 – Chris Schofield: The Legspinner’s Rollercoaster Journey
Chris Schofield, a promising legspinner, was given a central contract for the 2000 season in the hope that he would be England’s answer to their leg-spin woes. However, his Test debut against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge didn’t go as planned, and he was dropped from the team. Schofield’s career took a nosedive, and he was released by Lancashire in 2004, leading to a protracted and controversial legal dispute. He made a T20 comeback in England’s squad for the inaugural ICC World T20 in 2007.
1900 – Morris Nichols: The All-Rounder from Essex
Morris Nichols, a tireless all-rounder from Essex, achieved the remarkable feat of scoring over 1,000 runs and taking 100 wickets eight times between 1929 and 1939. Nichols was a valuable asset to his team, with a batting average higher than his bowling in both Test and first-class cricket. His most memorable performance came in 1935 when he took 11 wickets for 54 runs and scored 146 runs, leading Essex to an innings victory over Yorkshire, the reigning champions. Nichols left a lasting legacy in Nottingham, where he passed away in 1961.
1956 – Murray Bennett: Spinning the West Indies to Defeat
Murray Bennett, a slow left-armer, played only three Tests, but he left an indelible mark on the cricketing world. In 1984-85, Bennett and Bob Holland spun the mighty West Indies to defeat in Sydney. It was the West Indies’ first loss in 28 Tests and three years. Bennett’s remarkable performance earned him a place in cricket history, even though he played only one more Test match.
2019 – Record-Breaking Day in Visakhapatnam
In Visakhapatnam, records tumbled during the first Test of South Africa’s tour of India. Rohit Sharma, making his debut as a Test opener, smashed 13 sixes in an innings, setting a new record for the most sixes by a batter in a Test match. India, as a team, hit 27 sixes in the match, a record for the most by any team in a Test. The game also witnessed the most sixes ever in a Test match, with a total of 37 sixes. Mayank Agarwal converted his maiden Test century into a double century, and India secured a dominant victory by an innings and 272 runs.
2013 – Mumbai Indians Triumph in Champions League
In the final of the Champions League in Delhi, the Mumbai Indians, winners of the IPL, clinched their second Champions League title by defeating the Rajasthan Royals by 33 runs. Mumbai set a challenging target of 203 runs, and Harbhajan Singh played a pivotal role by taking three wickets in an over to derail Rajasthan’s chase. The match marked the last T20 appearances of legends Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.
Other Birthdays:
- 1861: Digger Robertson (Australia)
- 1867: Victor Barton (England)
- 1957: Shahzad Altaf (UAE)
- 1964: Gholam Nousher (Bangladesh)
- 1965: Ian Allen (West Indies)
- 1973: Smitha Harikrishna (India)
- 1975: Anthony McGrath (England)
- 1976: Sanjay Raul (India)
These significant events and birthdays in cricket history on October 6th reflect the rich tapestry of the sport and its enduring legacy. From iconic players to memorable matches, cricket continues to captivate fans around the world.
