Cricketers Born on August 15

Adeel RajaNL
Adeel Raja

45y / 1980

Bowler

Hemlata KalaIN
Hemlata Kala

50y / 1975

All-rounder

Vijay BharadwajIN
Vijay Bharadwaj

50y / 1975

Batsman

Ranjan GunatillekeLK
Ranjan Gunatilleke

74y / 1951

Batsman

Reg ScarlettWI
Reg Scarlett

91y / 1934

Batsman

Eddie LeadbeaterENG
Eddie Leadbeater

98y / 1927

Batsman

John ChildsENG
John Childs

74y / 1951

Batsman

Bill WhittyAU
Bill Whitty

139y / 1886

Batsman

Jack RussellENG
Jack Russell

62y / 1963

Wicket-keeper batsman

Player Info
Fred Trueman was the first bowler to take 300 Test wickets

1964 – Trueman’s 300th Test Wicket

At The Oval, Colin Cowdrey’s sharp slip catch off Neil Hawke’s edge made Fred Trueman the first bowler to claim 300 wickets in Test cricket. Trueman had missed the previous match at Old Trafford but came into the day on 297. Before lunch, he ripped through the batting with two wickets in consecutive balls, moving to 299. Hawke survived the hat-trick ball but didn’t last long after. The match ended in a draw and the Ashes stayed with Australia – but for once, the result felt secondary. Asked if he thought anyone would break his record, Trueman famously quipped, “Aye, but whoever does will be bloody tired.” His final tally of 307 stood as the world record until 1975–76.

1963 – Jack Russell’s Record-Setting Glovework

Born this day, Robert Charles “Jack” Russell became one of England’s most distinctive wicketkeepers – and an accomplished painter. In Johannesburg in 1995–96, he set a world record with 11 dismissals in a Test. England’s preference for wicketkeeper-batters limited his international chances, yet he still played 54 Tests, making 165 dismissals and scoring two centuries. His gritty 29* in that Johannesburg match supported Mike Atherton’s legendary rearguard. After retiring, Russell was central to Gloucestershire’s golden era, guiding them to a hat-trick of one-day titles in 2000. He retired from all cricket in 2004 due to persistent injuries.

2021 – West Indies Edge Pakistan in a Sabina Park Thriller

Chasing 168, West Indies collapsed to 111 for 6 before Pakistan seemed destined for victory. When the ninth wicket fell, Jayden Seales joined Kemar Roach with 17 runs still needed. The pair, fresh off taking eight wickets between them to bowl Pakistan out for 203, survived tense moments before Roach struck the winning runs. The match was packed with standout performances – Kraigg Brathwaite’s 97, Babar Azam’s 55, Shaheen Afridi’s eight wickets – but 19-year-old Seales took Player of the Match honours with 8 for 125.

2005 – Ponting Rescues Australia at Old Trafford

Ricky Ponting’s superb 156, backed by a dogged final-wicket stand between Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath, denied England a win that would have put them 2–1 up in the Ashes. With over 10,000 fans turned away before 10am, those lucky enough to get in watched England chip away at Australia’s resistance. When Ponting fell with four overs left, England smelled victory, but McGrath, batting well outside his crease to avoid lbw, refused to give in.

2015 – Chandimal and Herath Script a Galle Comeback

Sri Lanka looked gone at 95 for 5 in their second innings, still trailing India by 97 runs. Then Dinesh Chandimal’s heroic unbeaten 162 flipped the game. Chasing 176, India were undone by Rangana Herath’s masterful 7 for 48, with Tharindu Kaushal also chipping in. Ajinkya Rahane’s eight catches – a record for a non-wicketkeeper – added to a remarkable Test.

2020 – Dhoni’s Sudden Farewell

In typical MS Dhoni fashion, his international retirement came without fanfare – just an Instagram post hours before Chennai Super Kings’ IPL training camp: “Thanks – Thanks a lot for ur love and support… from 1929 hrs consider me as Retired.” Suresh Raina followed suit moments later. Dhoni’s career ended with him as India’s most successful captain, the only one to win all three ICC trophies – the 50-over World Cup, the T20 World Cup, and the Champions Trophy.

1981 – Botham’s Old Trafford Blitz

Ian Botham’s century in the fifth Ashes Test – scored in just 86 balls – rivalled his famous Headingley 149*. His clean, brutal hitting made the Times front page and left Australia’s hopes in tatters, sealing the Ashes for England.

1928 – Hammond’s All-Round Brilliance

Wally Hammond, often considered the greatest English batter after Bradman, scored twin hundreds for Gloucestershire against Surrey and took ten close-field catches in the same match. In the next game, he added 15 wickets to his tally – true all-round greatness.

1886 – Bill Whitty’s Deadly Spell

Born this day, Australian left-arm quick Bill Whitty took 65 Test wickets at just 21.12 apiece. In the 1910–11 series against South Africa, he grabbed 37 wickets, including 6 for 17 to bowl them out for 80 in Melbourne when chasing only 170.

1936 – Hammond’s Double Century Against India

Hammond’s commanding 217 – the first double-century scored against India – was the highlight of England’s total of 471 for 8 at The Oval. They went on to win by nine wickets.

1967 – Underwood Spins England Ahead

At Trent Bridge, Derek Underwood’s 5 for 52 helped bowl Pakistan out for 114 despite Saeed Ahmed’s defiant 68, giving England a 1–0 series lead.

1951 – John Childs’ Late Test Debut

Born this day, slow left-armer John Childs had to wait until nearly 37 to play his first Test for England in 1988 – the oldest debutant since 1947. He played just two Tests, both against West Indies, before the winter India tour was cancelled, ending his brief international career.

Last updated on: August 14, 2025