Cricketers Born on August 12

Gordon GoudieSCO
Gordon Goudie

38y / 1987

Bowler

Gyanendra PandeyIN
Gyanendra Pandey

53y / 1972

Batsman

Mark PriestNZ
Mark Priest

64y / 1961

Batsman

Ben SealeyWI
Ben Sealey

126y / 1899

Batsman

Greg ThomasENG
Greg Thomas

65y / 1960

Batsman

Maurice FernandesWI
Maurice Fernandes

128y / 1897

Wicket-keeper batsman

Sidath WettimunyLK
Sidath Wettimuny

69y / 1956

Batsman

Derek ShackletonENG
Derek Shackleton

101y / 1924

Batsman

John HoltWI
John Holt

102y / 1923

Batsman

Pedro CollinsWI
Pedro Collins

49y / 1976

Bowler

Stuart WilliamsWI
Stuart Williams

56y / 1969

Batsman

Eddie BarlowZA
Eddie Barlow

85y / 1940

All-rounder

Player Info
Dujon and Marshall, along with Richards, bowed out of Test cricket together in 1991

1991 – Farewell for West Indies Greats Ends in Defeat

The Oval marked the end of an era as three West Indies legends bowed out of Test cricket. Jeff Dujon signed off with 272 dismissals – still a record for a West Indies wicketkeeper. Malcolm Marshall ended with 376 wickets at an incredible average of 20.94, and Viv Richards hit 60 to keep his Test batting average above 50. Despite their efforts, England's win squared the series.

1972 – Chappell Brothers Make History

At The Oval, Ian Chappell and his brother Greg became the first pair of brothers to score centuries in the same Test innings. The Ashes were already decided, but Australia's young side took the fifth Test to square the series, setting the tone for their dominance in the 1970s.

1940 – Eddie Barlow Born

One of South Africa's finest allrounders, Eddie Barlow averaged 45.74 with the bat in Tests and took 40 wickets with his medium pace – all while wearing glasses. In 1970, playing for the Rest of the World against England, he took four wickets in five balls, including a hat-trick. His promising opening partnership with Barry Richards was cut short when South Africa was banned from Test cricket in 1970.

2018 – Woakes Shines at Lord’s

India lost by an innings and 159 runs in a rain-affected Lord's Test, bowled out for 107 and 130. James Anderson claimed nine wickets, but it was Chris Woakes – replacing Ben Stokes – who took Man of the Match for his unbeaten 137. His name now sits on the Lord's honours board for five-fors, ten-fors, and centuries.

1996 – Atherton’s Rare Test Wicket

In a Headingley draw, England captain Mike Atherton claimed just the second Test wicket of his career – trapping his old Lancashire teammate Wasim Akram lbw. It was his first Test bowl in six years, and Akram looked more than a little surprised.

1986 – Hadlee and the Offspinners

New Zealand claimed only their second Test win in England, thanks to Richard Hadlee's ten wickets and a quick 68 with the bat. Strangely, the two highest scores came from No. 8 offspinners named John – Bracewell with 110 for New Zealand and Emburey with 75 for England.

2013 – Broad’s Ashes Blitz

At Chester-le-Street, Australia were cruising at 168 for 2 chasing 299 before Stuart Broad ripped through them, taking 6 for 20 in 45 balls. England's win gave them a 3–0 lead, and Broad's 11 for 121 was the best Ashes haul for an England bowler since 1997.

1969 – Stuart Williams Born

The stylish West Indies stroke-maker scored one Test century but passed fifty only four times in 52 innings. A fielding injury in 2004 led to a finger amputation. He later became a selector.

1976 – Pedro Collins Born

Known early for a painful injury from a Jason Gillespie delivery, Collins became a left-arm seamer with a knack for big wickets – dismissing Tendulkar, Sehwag, and Steve Waugh three times each in just five Tests.

1923 – Holt’s Controversial Dismissal

On debut against England, John Holt was controversially given lbw on 94, sparking spectator violence against umpire Perry Burke's family. Holt responded with 166 in the next Test, helping West Indies win again.

1924 – Derek Shackleton Born

Hampshire's metronomic seamer took 100 wickets in 20 straight seasons. Overshadowed by England's pace greats, he returned after a decade-long Test absence to take three wickets in four balls in a tense 1963 Lord's draw.

1956 – Sidath Wettimuny Born

Sri Lanka's first Test opener played 23 matches, his finest moment a marathon 190 at Lord's to earn a draw. He also shared an opening stand with his brother Mithra in 1982 – a rare sibling pairing.

1941 – Death of Bobby Peel

One of England's greatest slow left-armers, Peel famously bowled Australia out in 1894–95 after following on – the only such win until Headingley 1981. He took 102 wickets at 16.81 but was sacked after an alleged drunken pitch incident.

1884 – First Test Double Century

At The Oval, Billy Murdoch's 211 became the first double-century in Test cricket. Dropped three times, he still produced what Wisden called "a magnificent innings."

1997 – Jayasuriya’s Agonising 199

In Colombo, Sanath Jayasuriya became the fourth batter dismissed on 199 in Tests. Several others have since joined the list, including Steve Smith and KL Rahul.

1886 – WG Grace Sets New England Record

WG Grace's 170 at The Oval became England's highest Test score, leading them to an innings win over Australia. His only other hundred – 152 in 1880 – was also a record at the time.

1897 – Maurice Fernandes Born

Fernandes captained West Indies to their first-ever Test win in 1930, squaring the series against England despite a modest batting record.

1960 – Greg Thomas Born

The Glamorgan quick was genuinely fast but injury-plagued. His debut came against the mighty West Indies in 1985–86, where he took just eight wickets in five heavy defeats.

1933 – Charles Marriott’s One-Test Wonder

The 37-year-old schoolteacher made his Test debut at The Oval, taking 11 for 96 against West Indies in a win completed in just over two days. It was his only match for England.

2002 – Morocco’s First International

Tangier hosted its first international as Pakistan faced South Africa in the Morocco Cup. It was South Africa's first match since Hansie Cronje's death, and captain Shaun Pollock dedicated their 54-run win to him.

Last updated on: August 12, 2025