1976
A change of ball led to one of the most sensational Test debuts of all time. According to the Wisden Almanack, left-arm seamer John Lever had "no particular reputation as a swinger", but his 7 for 46 for England at Delhi dismissed India for 122 - this after hitting 53 in his first Test innings. England won by an innings on their way to an unexpected series victory.

1969
Birth of Indian Test wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia, who made 107 dismissals in 44 Tests but will probably be remembered more for off-the-field controversies. He's been dropped from the India team for apparently not trying to win a match, suspended after showing dissent at an umpiring decision, and banned after suspicions of being involved in the match-fixing crisis of the late 1990s.

1966
Another controversial Indian cricketer was born. On his Test recall after doubts had been expressed about his action, offspinner Rajesh Chauhan was unlucky enough to run into Sri Lanka's high-scoring batsmen on a placid pitch at the Premadasa stadium in Colombo in 1997-98, when his 78 overs cost 276 runs. He took only a single wicket as the hosts amassed 952 for 6 declared, the highest score in Test cricket. As India's captain said in the Wisden Almanack, "It was a terrible toss to win."

1974
One of the most talented batsmen of recent years was born. After being sawn off for 96 on his Test debut, against Sri Lanka at Perth in 1995-96, Ricky Ponting went on to establish himself as one of the most aesthetically appealing batsmen in world cricket, with a swivelling pull stroke as good as any in the game. But there is substance to go with the style: Ponting's average has not dropped below 40 since the turn of the century, and is more likely to end up above 50 the way he's going. A man whose career has been defined by seriously purple patches and lean spells, Ponting became Australia's one-day captain in 2001-02 - beginning with a 6-1 win in South Africa - and is the heir apparent for the Test team too.

1924
Playing for Australia against England at Sydney, big Bill Ponsford made 110 in his debut Test innings. A specialist in monumental innings, he went on to make 181 and 266 in his final two Test knocks, at Headingley and The Oval in 1934, and is the only batsman to score twice score 400 in a first-class innings (see 18 December).

1979
The master grafter Geoff Boycott became the first man to be left stranded on 99 not out in a Test, a feat more remarkable as he also carried his bat. His obstinacy as England battled to save the first Test at Perth was in vain as they lost by 138 runs on the way to a 3-0 series whitewash.

2000
Even a rampant Brian Lara couldn't stop Australia taking a decisive 3-0 lead after the third Test against West Indies. Lara slammed a majestic 182, but no other West Indian reached 50 in the match, and on an Adelaide pitch that has been increasingly receptive to spin in recent times, Colin Miller won the match - and the Man-of-the-Match award - with five wickets in each innings. It was Adam Gilchrist's first Test as Australian captain.

Other birthdays
1846 Henry Charlwood (England)
1955 Susil Fernando (Sri Lanka)
1958 Iqbal Sikander (Pakistan)
1953 Paul McEwan (New Zealand)
1962 Charith Senanayake (Sri Lanka)
1916 Mervyn Wallace (New Zealand)

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd