1969
Where do you start with Brian Charles Lara? He's the author of some of the most famous innings of all time: 375 and 501, the highest in Test and first-class history, as well as 213 and 153 not out to single-handedly beat Australia in 1998-99. Like most geniuses, Lara lost the plot for a little while: in 2000-01, against England and Australia, he made three ducks in five innings, and was infamously bowled round his legs first ball by Craig White. But after a injury-plagued phase of his career, Lara struck reasonably good form in the World Cup of 2003 before getting back his old job as West Indies captain.

1901
Birth of the studious, systematic England batsman and captain Bob Wyatt, who played 40 Tests between 1927-28 and 1936-37. Wyatt, who was comfortable opening or in the middle order, made both his Test centuries against South Africa, at Old Trafford in 1929 and at Trent Bridge six years later. He first led England against Australia at The Oval in 1930, but in all England won only three matches out of 16 under his stewardship. He was also vice-captain on the Bodyline tour. In fact, Bodyline was first bowled under him in a state game when Douglas Jardine was absent. Wyatt, whose cousin was the famous MP Woodrow Wyatt, died in Cornwall in 1995.

1993
Five years after his debut, Carl Hooper finally made his first Test hundred in the Caribbean. And he turned into a massive unbeaten 178, which included four sixes and came from only 247 balls, as Pakistan suffered in the Antigua sun. He added 106 for the last wicket with Courtney Walsh, manipulating the strike so expertly that Walsh faced only 31 balls in 23 overs. In that time, though, Walsh managed to rub salt in Pakistan's wounds, spanking 30 to equal his Test-best.

2002
A tragic end to the second ODI between West Indies and South Africa in Antigua when Craig Edwards, a local man, was stabbed to death after getting involved in an argument with another spectator as they danced in the Double-Decker stand.

1990
Australian allrounder Simon O'Donnell thrashed 50 off only 18 balls against Sri Lanka at Sharjah, a one-day record until Sanath Jayasuriya got to work. In all O'Donnell crashed 74 not out off 29 balls, an innings that included six fours and four sixes, and it was all very infectious: even David Boon belted 30 off just 18 balls.

1960
Sri Lanka's first Test-class seamer is born. Ravi Ratnayeke ploughed a fairly lone furrow in the 1980s, and was only on the winning side once in 22 Tests. He was to the fore there, though, taking 5 for 37 in the second innings in Colombo in 1985-86 as Pakistan went down by eight wickets. Ratnayeke also took 8 for 83 against the Pakistan at Sialkot earlier that winter, still the best figures by a Sri Lankan not called Muralitharan. Ratnayeke could bat too - he was sometimes used as an opener - and made five Test fifties, all of them in his last eight Tests.

1894
Big cricket's first one-day match. Long before the idea to put cricketers in pyjamas was conceived, MCC thrashed Sussex in a day at Lord's to kick off the domestic season. MCC made 105, then Sussex were blown away for 42 and 59.

Other birthdays

1910 Laurie Nash (Australia)
1914 Dennis Dyer (South Africa)
1925 David Ironside (South Africa)
1929 Graham Gedye (New Zealand)
1940 Bryan Davis (West Indies)
1955 Ian Callen (Australia)

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