1911
In many people's view, Victor Trumper was the greatest batsman of all time. When you look at his Test average of 39.04, remember the appalling minefields he had to bat on - and believe the brilliance with which he did it. Today at Adelaide he reached his double-century against South Africa, who won the match partly because no-one else scored more than 54 in this Australian innings. Trumper's 214 was the highest Test score in a losing cause ... until Brian Lara made 221 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in December. The Wisden Almanack described Trumper's innings, the highest of his Test career, as something "that even he has never surpassed". There's probably no higher praise.

1985
Indian allrounder Ravi Shastri smashed the fastest double-century of all time for Bombay in their Ranji Trophy zonal match against Baroda, taking just 113 minutes to reach 200 not out. In the course of his innings he become only the second batsman to hit six sixes in an over (after Garry Sobers in 1968), Tilak Raj being the unfortunate bowler. A week earlier Shastri had crawled to a seven-hour hundred against England at Calcutta.

1903
No-one could accuse Hugh Motley Thurlow of being a giant in Test cricket, but he trod in the footsteps of one. Don Bradman, the only player to score two Test triple-centuries, very nearly hit another. Against South Africa at Adelaide in 1931-32, The Don made 299 not out before running out his last partner. In contrast with everything Bradman achieved, poor "Pud" Thurlow played in only this one Test, finishing with no runs, no wickets and no catches.

1930
Christchurch hosted the first day of the first Test to be played in New Zealand. Playing for one of two England teams touring at the time (the other went to the Caribbean), the debutant Maurice Allom took four wickets in five balls, including a hat-trick, to help dismiss the hosts for 112 (Roger Blunt 45 not out) on the way to winning the match by eight wickets.

1933
No great success at Test level, especially in the 1962-63 Ashes series, Len Coldwell, who was born today, was one of the great county stalwarts. Among his 1474 first-class wickets were the 139 that nearly won Worcestershire the Championship in 1962. He and Jack Flavell got there before long, bowling the county to consecutive titles, the first in their history, in 1964 and 1965.

1935
A horrible old sticky dog of a pitch led to a very low-scoring Test at Bridgetown. After two declarations and some furious juggling with both batting orders, Wally Hammond hit a six to win the match by four wickets and give England a series lead they couldn't hold.

1917
Left-arm pace bowler Tyrell Johnson, who was born today, played in only one match for West Indies, at The Oval in 1939, but it was enough for him to join the select list of bowlers who have taken a wicket with their first ball in Tests. England opener Walter Keeton played on to his first delivery, and he also caught and bowled Len Hutton, but the war wrecked his chances of any more caps.

Other birthdays
1871 Joe Travers (Australia)

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