Cricketers Born on August 17

Keith DabengwaZW
Keith Dabengwa

45y / 1980

All-rounder

Roy TattersallENG
Roy Tattersall

103y / 1922

Batsman

Percy SherwellZA
Percy Sherwell

145y / 1880

Wicket-keeper batsman

Reggie DuffAU
Reggie Duff

147y / 1878

Batsman

Habibul BasharBD
Habibul Bashar

53y / 1972

Batsman

Kusal PereraLK
Kusal Perera

35y / 1990

Wicket-keeper batsman

Player Info
If eight in the first innings wasn't enough, Michael Holding took another six in the second

1976 – Michael Holding’s Legendary Spell

Michael Holding delivered one of the most extraordinary displays of sustained fast bowling, taking 14 wickets in a Test—the only West Indian to do so. On a pace-unfriendly Oval pitch, he twice bowled England captain Tony Greig, who had provocatively claimed the West Indies might “grovel.” Holding, nicknamed Whispering Death, finished with 8 for 92 and 6 for 57, sealing a 3-0 series win.

1990 – Birth of Kusal Perera

Sri Lankan batter Kusal Perera was born today. Known for his attacking style and part-time wicketkeeping, he scored an unbeaten 153 in Sri Lanka’s famous 2019 win in Durban. Perera equalled Sanath Jayasuriya’s record for the fastest ODI fifty for Sri Lanka (17 balls) in 2015 and captained the white-ball side briefly in 2021. Despite a shoulder injury that sidelined him for over a year, he returned to play the 2023 ODI World Cup.

1972 – Birth of Habibul Bashar

Bangladesh’s Habibul Bashar, born today, is the only Bangladeshi batter to score fifties in both innings of a Test three times. He starred in Bangladesh’s debut Test against India in 2000 and later against Zimbabwe and Australia. Bashar retired in March 2010 after stepping down from ODI captaincy following a poor 2007 World Cup.

1954 – Pakistan’s First Test Win in England

Just eight Tests into their career, Pakistan claimed their first win in England at The Oval. Fazal Mahmood took 12 wickets, dismissing an England side including Len Hutton, Peter May, and Denis Compton twice. Wicketkeeper Imtiaz Ahmed took seven catches off Fazal’s bowling.

1964 – Geoff Boycott’s First Test Century

Opening batter Geoff Boycott scored his first of 22 Test centuries at The Oval, making 113 against Graham McKenzie and Neil Hawke. Australia retained the Ashes after rain washed out the final day.

2002 – Mithali Raj Breaks Records

At just 19, Mithali Raj made 214 in a drawn women’s Test at Taunton, breaking Karen Rolton’s record of 209 not out. This innings marked the start of a prolific career in international cricket.

1946 – Vijay Merchant Run Out by Denis Compton

After scoring 128 at The Oval, India’s classy opener Vijay Merchant was run out by England’s Denis Compton, who famously played football for Arsenal and won the 1950 FA Cup final.

1878 – Birth of Reggie Duff

Australian batter Reggie Duff was born. On his Test debut against England in 1901-02, rain delayed play until the pitch improved. Duff then scored 104, the first century by a No. 10 in Test cricket, and later 146 in his final Test at The Oval in 1905.

1880 – Birth of Percy Sherwell

South African wicketkeeper-captain Percy Sherwell was born today. He equalled a series record with nine stumpings in 1910-11 and scored 115 as an opener at Lord’s in 1907 to save a match. Sherwell also captained South Africa to their first win over England in 1906.

1992 – Curtly Ambrose’s Chaotic Over

At Dean Park, Bournemouth, Curtly Ambrose bowled a 13-ball over that included seven no-balls. One of these clean-bowled Kevin Shine, who was also caught off another delivery.

1931 – Jack Parsons Absent

Rev Jack Parsons arrived on the second day of Worcestershire vs Warwickshire, only to find he had left his glasses at the hotel. By the time he returned, the innings was over, and he was recorded as absent.

1922 – Birth of Roy Tattersall

Lancashire offspinner Roy Tattersall, born today, played 16 Tests for England. Limited by Jim Laker’s shadow, Tattersall still had notable performances, including match-winning spells against South Africa in 1951.

1924 – Death of Tom Kendall

Tom Kendall, the first bowler to take seven wickets in a Test innings, died today. In the inaugural Test in Melbourne, 1877, he took 7 for 55 to help Australia beat England by 45 runs.

1980 – Birth of Keith Dabengwa

Zimbabwean all-rounder Keith Dabengwa was born. A part-time left-arm spinner and lower-order batter, he played fewer than 40 ODIs and missed both World Cups between 2005 and 2010.

Last updated on: August 18, 2025