1848

W.G. Grace—affectionately known as "The Doctor," "The Champion," or simply "WG"—was a true pioneer of cricket. Born on this day, he was a magnificent allrounder: a flamboyant batsman, a shrewd slow-medium bowler with a round-arm action, and the proud owner of the most iconic beard in sporting history.

Grace was a man of many firsts. He scored the first two triple-centuries in first-class cricket (both in 1876), became the first player to amass 2,000 runs in a season (2,739 in 1871), and the first to reach 1,000 runs in May (1895). He was also the first to reach 50,000 first-class runs and to notch up 100 centuries. He even became the first Test centurion on English soil and the first Englishman to score a century on debut—both achieved with a knock of 152 against Australia at The Oval in 1880. His second and final Test hundred also came at The Oval, a masterful 170 against Australia in 1886.

He captained England in the final 13 of his 22 Test matches and once famously scored 400 runs for United South against Grimsby on the very day his second child was born.

Grace's larger-than-life persona extended beyond the field. He is perhaps the only man ever to replace the bails after being bowled—and continue his innings. He passed away in 1915, after suffering a heart attack during an air raid. He died at his home in Mottingham, Kent, and was laid to rest three days later at Elmers End Cemetery.

1949

Dennis Keith Lillee was born on this day — a name that would go on to redefine fast bowling. After overcoming severe back problems that many believed would end his career prematurely, Lillee returned not just to play again, but to become one of the greatest fast bowlers the game has ever seen. His bowling action was poetry in motion — all raw athleticism, rhythm, and fire — paired with a no-nonsense attitude that made him a true intimidator on the field.

Lillee thrived on aggression and confrontation. His infamous on-field clash with Javed Miandad in Perth during the 1981-82 series — where he aimed a kick at the Pakistani batter — is etched in cricket folklore. Alongside Jeff Thomson, he formed one of the most fearsome fast-bowling duos in cricket history. Their brutal pace and hostility, especially during the 1974-75 Ashes series, left England's batters rattled — like a scene out of a gangster film.

What truly set Lillee apart, however, was his adaptability. As he aged and the raw pace began to wane, he evolved — trading sheer speed for sharpness, craft, and cunning. After the World Series Cricket era, he returned with a smarter approach, continuing to terrorize batters with his skill and guile.

Interestingly, Lillee took more ten-wicket hauls in Tests (7) than he took total wickets outside England and Australasia (just 6) — a quirky stat for such a dominant figure. He could hold the bat too — nearly steering Australia to victory in the legendary Headingley Test of 1981, the same match where he and teammate Rod Marsh infamously placed a bet on an England win at 500-1 odds. And who could forget the bizarre aluminium bat incident, also against England? While not his finest moment, it only added to the legend.

By the time he retired, Lillee held the world record for most Test wickets, finishing with 355 scalps — a trailblazer, a showman, and a fast-bowling icon.

1996

Smriti Mandhana, one of the most stylish left-handed batters in the women's game, was born on this day. She burst onto the international scene soon after the 2013 World Cup and quickly established herself as a mainstay at the top of the order.

Her breakthrough moment in red-ball cricket came in 2014 when she played a key role in India's historic Test win in England. Years later, she notched up her maiden Test century during the 2021 tour of Australia, further cementing her credentials as a class act across formats.

Mandhana truly came into her own in limited-overs cricket. She had a blistering start to the 2017 World Cup, smashing 90 against England and an unbeaten 106 versus the West Indies. In 2018, she dominated the ODI circuit, topping the run charts with 669 runs at an impressive average of 67.

In the 2022 World Cup, she once again led the charge for India, finishing as their highest run-scorer with a century and two fifties. Her brilliance extended to franchise cricket as well — in 2024, she guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their maiden WPL title, scoring 300 runs in the season.

Just months later, Mandhana played one of her finest Test innings, scoring a majestic 149* in India's ten-wicket win over South Africa in Chennai — a knock that perfectly encapsulated her poise, power, and match-winning ability.

From a young prodigy to a pillar of Indian women's cricket, Smriti Mandhana's journey continues to inspire the next generation.

1991

Bismah Maroof made her debut for Pakistan at just 15 and quickly became a cornerstone of the women's team. By the 2009 World Cup—Pakistan's first in over a decade—she was already a key figure with the bat and her handy legspin. After the 2016 T20 World Cup, she succeeded Sana Mir as T20I captain, and took over the ODI leadership a year later. Remarkably, she led Pakistan at the 2022 World Cup just six months after giving birth. By the time she retired in 2024, she was Pakistan's top run-scorer in both ODIs and T20Is, leaving behind a powerful legacy of resilience and leadership.

1896

Ranji announced himself on the Test stage in style, scoring an unbeaten 154 on debut against Australia at Old Trafford. Despite his heroics and a fine 62 in the first innings, England couldn't avoid defeat. Australia chased 125 to win after Ranji's teammates faltered around him. Still, his dazzling strokeplay lit up the game, making his debut one for the ages. This match also saw George Giffen become the first player to score 1000 runs and take 100 wickets in Tests.

2019

In a historic first, the ICC suspended Zimbabwe from all forms of international cricket due to government interference in cricket board affairs. The move came after the Sports and Recreation Commission had ousted Zimbabwe's elected cricket board, leading to the ICC freezing all funding and banning the national teams from participating in ICC events. The decision threw Zimbabwean cricket into crisis, leaving players unpaid and competitions halted.

1988

Happy birthday to Carlos Brathwaite, the man forever etched in cricketing folklore for his four consecutive sixes in the 2016 T20 World Cup final. With 19 needed off the last over, Brathwaite delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in cricket history, sealing West Indies' title win over England. Though his international debut came in 2011, it was his comeback in 2015 that truly cemented his place in the team as a dynamic allrounder.

1972

On this day, South Africa's Mike Procter achieved something extraordinary—scoring a century and taking a hat-trick in the same first-class match, a feat only ten players have ever accomplished. Playing for Gloucestershire against Essex, Procter picked up 8 for 73 and scored 51 and 102. His hat-trick? All lbw, all from around the wicket—a rare bowling masterclass.

2003

Australia's northern city of Darwin hosted its first-ever Test match, becoming the country's eighth Test venue. It was a short-lived affair, though, as Australia crushed Bangladesh by an innings and 132 runs in just three days. Darren Lehmann and Steve Waugh both hit hundreds, while Bangladesh folded cheaply in both innings.

1893

Australian Harry Graham made a memorable Test debut at Lord's, scoring a stylish 107 after arriving at the crease with the team struggling at 75 for 5. His century helped secure a draw, and he remained the only Australian to score a debut hundred in England until Dirk Wellham did so in 1981.

1927

Zin Harris, father of Chris Harris, was born on this day. A steady right-handed batter, he played nine Tests for New Zealand over nine years, with his only century coming against South Africa in 1961-62. He passed away in 1991, just months before his son's breakout performance in the 1992 World Cup.

Last updated on: July 18, 2025