1968
One of the most exciting and productive opening batsmen was born. Several of Saeed Anwar's Test centuries for Pakistan have turned into big ones, often away from home. His first Test ton, for instance, was 169 against at Wellington in 1993-94 – and he also belted 176 against England at The Oval in 1996 and an unbeaten 188, his highest Test score, at Calcutta in 1998-99. But it's the left-handed Anwar's style and speed of scoring that will stay in the memory: according to the Almanack, his runs at Lord's in 1996 "typified the uninhibitedness of modern Pakistani batting". His one-day international record is one of the very best: by the end of August 2002, his 19 hundreds included the highest score by any batsman, 194 against India at Chennai in 1996-97.

1880
On the first day of Test cricket in England, it was absolutely fitting that England's first century should be scored by WG Grace. His 152 was the bulwark of a total of 410 for 8 that set England on the way to victory by five wickets. The following day, the good doctor ended Australia's first innings with a wicket off the first ball of his second over.

1980
In the last Gillette Cup final before it changed its name to the NatWest Trophy, Middlesex beat Kent by seven wickets. The Wisden Almanack quoted adjudicator Ian Botham as saying that Roland Butcher's unbeaten 50 was "one of the most exciting Gillette Cup innings I have seen". But he gave the Man of the Match award to Mike Brearley, who showed that he was more than just a formidable captain by top-scoring with 96 not out.

1969
In the Gillette Cup final at Lord's, Yorkshire were probably put in to bat because Geoff Boycott was out injured. But another opener, Barrie Leadbeater, top-scored with 76, and Yorkshire's total of 219 was more than enough to win the cup for the second time. With Brian Close and spinner Don Wilson taking three wickets apiece, Derbyshire were bowled out for 150. 1942
The son of a famous father was born. There was never any chance of Richard Hutton living up to the exploits of his dad Len – but he did some useful things for Ray Illingworth's England team in 1971. A tall allrounder, he hit an unbeaten 58 in his first Test innings, against Pakistan at Headingley, and 81 and 13 not out against India in his last Test, at The Oval. His useful medium-pace brought him nine wickets at 28.55 in 123 economical overs. He later edited The Cricketer magazine.

1917
Talking of fathers and sons, today saw the birth of a huge hitter who became England captain. Frank Mann hit 53 in only 19 minutes against Nottinghamshire at Lord's in 1921, the year he captained Middlesex to the Championship. In his only Test series, he led England to victory in South Africa in 1922-23, when he hit 84 at Durban and averaged 35.12. His son, George, also played for England.

1993
Fast left-armer Brett Schultz achieved his best Test figures of 5 for 48 to help dismiss Sri Lanka for 168 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. It set South Africa on the way to their first win abroad since 1965.

Other birthdays
1971 Devang Gandhi (India)

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