Cricket

What happened On This Day in Cricket Fraternity?

by
Zainab Shafiq
May 15, 2023

Table of Contents

On this day in cricket: As we delve into the annals of cricket history, today, we embark on a nostalgic journey to revisit the significant events that have unfolded on May 15th. This date has witnessed memorable feats, remarkable performances, and historic moments that have left an indelible mark on the sport. From birth anniversaries of cricketing legends to record-breaking partnerships and controversial innovations, May 15th holds a special place in the rich tapestry of cricketing heritage. Join us as we turn back the clock to relive the captivating stories and achievements that have shaped the game we love. Let’s get started:

Throwback to Cricket Events on May 15th in History

1935 – Birth of Ted Dexter, Stylish English Batter

On this day in 1935, Lord Ted Dexter, one of England’s most stylish batters, was born in Milan, Italy. Known for his magisterial batting style, Dexter had a flair for taking on the best bowlers. His remarkable innings, including a superb 180 against Australia at Edgbaston in 1961, often saved England from difficult situations. Dexter boasted an impressive average of 53 in matches England won, compared to 28 in matches they lost. Apart from cricket, he excelled in golf and led Sussex to victory in the first two Gillette Cups. Dexter was also instrumental in establishing the PWC ratings.

2017 – Record-breaking Partnership in Women’s ODI Cricket

In 2017, on this day, Deepti Sharma and Punam Raut of India scripted history by forming the highest partnership in women’s ODI cricket. Playing against Ireland in Potchefstroom, the duo amassed a colossal 320 runs, marking the first triple-century stand in the format. Deepti Sharma, at the age of 19, not only achieved her maiden international century but also set a world record by hitting 27 fours in her innings of 188. This outstanding performance surpassed the previous second-highest individual score of 229 not out by Belinda Clark in the 1997 World Cup.

2022 – Tragic Demise of Former Australian Allrounder Andrew Symonds

On this day in 2022, the cricketing world mourned the loss of former Australian allrounder Andrew Symonds. Symonds tragically passed away at the age of 46 in a car accident in Queensland, where he resided after retiring from the sport. A stalwart of the Australian team, Symonds represented his country in 26 Test matches and 198 ODIs between 1998 and 2009, showcasing his exceptional skills with both bat and ball.

1948 – Australian Batting Carnage and Don Bradman’s Mastery

In 1948, Australian cricket created a record-breaking spectacle at Southend-on-Sea against Essex. On this day, they amassed a staggering total of 721 runs in a first-class match, a feat that still stands as an unbeatable record. The scoring spree took a mere 129 overs, with the legendary Don Bradman leading the charge with his brilliant knock of 187, accomplished in just 125 minutes. The Australian team’s dominance continued as they bowled out Essex for 83 and 187 in the following days, further highlighting their extraordinary performance.

2022 – FairBreak Invitational T20 Tournament and Stafanie Taylor’s Triumph

The inaugural FairBreak Invitational, a women’s T20 tournament held in Dubai, concluded on this day in 2022. Stafanie Taylor’s Tornadoes emerged victorious, defeating Suzie Bates’ Falcons by eight wickets in the final. The tournament brought together players from over 30 countries, including lesser-known cricketing nations such as the Philippines, Argentina, Botswana, and Hong Kong. Sterre Kallis of the Netherlands played a crucial role in the final, scoring 44 runs and contributing to a match-winning partnership of 76 with Sophie Devine (55).

2011 – Dramatic Test Match in Guyana and Ravi Rampaul’s Heroics

In 2011, an enthralling Test match unfolded in Guyana. Ravi Rampaul and Daren Sammy spearheaded the West Indies bowling attack, dismissing Pakistan 40 runs short of their target. Despite an outstanding performance by offspinner Saeed Ajmal, who claimed 11 wickets in the match, Pakistan ended up on the losing side. Debutant West Indies leg spinner Devendra Bishoo also made a significant impact, taking four wickets in the first innings and contributing a crucial 24 runs in a 48-run last-wicket partnership with Shivnarine Chanderpaul in the second innings.

1966 – Sunday Cricket Introduced in County Championship

In a notable development for the County Championship, Essex and Somerset faced off at Ilford on this day in 1966, marking the first time a match in the tournament took place on a Sunday. This departure from traditional scheduling reflected changing attitudes towards cricket and provided fans with the opportunity to enjoy the sport on weekends.

1924 – Worcestershire’s Run Machine, Don Kenyon

On this day in 1924, Worcestershire’s greatest run-scorer, Don Kenyon, was born. Kenyon accumulated an impressive total of 34,490 runs for the county, surpassing even the renowned Graeme Hick. Although his Test career was challenging, Kenyon made a notable contribution with a gritty 87 runs during an innings victory over South Africa at Trent Bridge in 1955. He also led Worcestershire to their long-awaited County Championship triumphs in 1964 and 1965 before his passing in 1996.

1999 – Innovative Approach Leads to Controversy in the World Cup

During the World Cup in 1999, South Africa introduced an innovative but controversial tactic on this day. In a match against India at Hove, their captain, Hansie Cronje, donned an earpiece connected to his coach, Bob Woolmer, in the dressing room. However, the ICC took offense, and the match referee, Talat Ali, ordered Cronje to remove the earpiece during the first drinks interval. Despite the controversy, South Africa emerged victorious, thanks to Jacques Kallis’ impressive knock of 96, successfully chasing down India’s total of 254.

1919 – Charles Palmer’s Incredible Spell and His Sole Test

One of the more extraordinary spells in first-class cricket occurred on this day in 1919, executed by Charles Palmer. Although primarily known for his batting prowess, Palmer’s medium pace proved devastating during a match between Leicestershire and Surrey in 1955. He astoundingly claimed eight wickets without conceding a single run, with seven of those wickets bowled. Unfortunately, Palmer’s incredible effort couldn’t prevent Leicestershire from losing the match. He also represented England in one Test match against the West Indies in Barbados in 1953-54.

1917 – Remembering Ron Saggers, Australia’s Invincible

Ron Saggers, the wicketkeeper for New South Wales, was born on this day in 1917. Saggers served as the deputy to the renowned Don Tallon in Australia’s iconic 1948 team, widely known as “The Invincibles.” While Saggers displayed exceptional skills behind the stumps, he also made notable contributions with the bat, representing New South Wales as a specialist batter on occasion. He played six Tests, with his first appearance at Headingley in 1948 and subsequent matches during the tour of South Africa in 1949-50. Saggers passed away in Sydney in 1987.

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