1989
The last time England held the Ashes – but only until the end of the day's play. Australia's win at Old Trafford gave them a winning 3-0 lead in the series. At the start of a forgettable day for English cricket, a 16-man squad for a lucrative rebel tour of South Africa was announced. Nine had appeared in that summer's Ashes series, and three had captained England. One of them, John Emburey, almost saved this Test, adding 142 in four hours with Jack Russell (who made his first Test hundred) after England had been 59 for 6.

1969
England's premier batsman Graham Thorpe was born. He showed he was made of the right stuff from the start, scoring a century on his Test debut, against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993. He is a batsman whose performances transcend statistics: he's seized countless initiatives with his resourceful counter-attacks, cutting and driving from the first ball. Throughout the 1990s, England's sporadic victories bore his stamp: Bridgetown 1993-94, The Oval 1994, Adelaide 1994-95, Old Trafford 1995, and Edgbaston 1997, when he added 288 with his old mate Nasser Hussain as England thrashed Australia. Thorpe's finest moment was in Colombo in 2000-01, when he made 113 and 32 – both not-outs – as England sealed a famous series victory. Recently retired from one-day internationals, he remains England's most Australian cricketer, and their best hope of making an impact on this winter's Ashes series.

1924
One of the great cricketing men was born. A stylish batsman of the highest class, Frank Worrell was the first black player to captain West Indies on a regular basis, including the 3-1 win in England in 1963 - and especially the famous 1960-61 series in Australia. The two countries now play for the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy.

1993
England won the women's World Cup for the first time since the inaugural tournament of 1973 (see July 28). In the final at Lord's, opener Janette Brittin top-scored with 48 in a 67-run victory over New Zealand.

1961
On the last day at Old Trafford, Richie Benaud went round the wicket to bowl a famous spell of 5 for 12 that destroyed England, who had looked in command, and retain the Ashes.

1983
At Headingley, Bob Willis took his 300th Test wicket but couldn't stop New Zealand winning a Test in England for the first time.

1952
Birth of Yajurvindra Singh. Playing for India against England at Bangalore in 1976-77, he equalled a world record by taking five catches in an innings. He's now the managing director of Wisden Online in India.

1929
Death of Syd Gregory. In a long Test career (1890-1912), he played in 52 Ashes matches, still the record by either country. His relatives Dave, Ned and Jack Gregory also played for Australia.

1931
South African allrounder Trevor Goddard was born. He hit a captain's century against England at Johannesburg in 1964-65 and took a wicket with his last ball in Test cricket, against Australia on the same ground in 1969-70.

1934
Birth of unlucky John Beck. Playing for New Zealand against South Africa at Cape Town in 1953-54, he was run out for 99 - and never did make a Test hundred.

1861
Birth of Sammy Jones. The last survivor of the original `Ashes' Test of 1882, he died in 1951. His unsporting run-out by WG Grace inspired the Australians to their sensational win. On his third England tour (1888) he survived a bout of smallpox.

Other birthdays
1856 George Coulthard (Australia)
1857 John Harry (Australia)
1900 Otto Nothling (Australia)
1910 Mohammad Nissar (India)
1935 Geoff Pullar (England)
1940 Mervyn Kitchen (English Test umpire)
1955 Arun Lal (India)
1961 Mike Watkinson (England)
1966 Ganesh Mylvaganam (United Arab Emirates)
1972 Maqsood Rana (Pakistan)
1978 Andy Blignaut (Zimbabwe)

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