Kane Williamson, one of New Zealand’s greatest-ever batters, was born on this day. He announced himself in style with a century on Test debut in Ahmedabad in 2010. Two years later, he ground out a match-saving unbeaten 102 against a fierce South African attack, batting for over five hours. By 2014, he was dominating – piling up 413 runs in three Tests against West Indies, including a crucial 161 in Providence that sealed a rare away series win. Later that year, he struck 192 in a 297-run stand with Brendon McCullum to square a series against Pakistan, and not long after posted a career-best 242* in a record 365-run partnership with BJ Watling against Sri Lanka.

In 2016, Williamson took over the captaincy from McCullum. Between March 2017 and March 2019, he averaged a staggering 70 in 14 Tests, with five fifties and five hundreds, including a series-clinching century in Abu Dhabi. He then led New Zealand in an unforgettable 2019 World Cup campaign that ended in heartbreak – tied final, tied Super Over, but defeat to England on boundary count. Redemption came in 2021 when he lifted the inaugural World Test Championship trophy and guided his team to the T20 World Cup final. Even after stepping down as Test captain in late 2022, Williamson’s run-scoring didn’t slow – averaging over 70 between December 2020 and December 2023, with eight centuries (four of them doubles). Two of those came in dramatic back-to-back wins – by one run against England in Wellington and by two wickets against Sri Lanka in Christchurch. Most recently, his hundred against South Africa took New Zealand to the 2025 Champions Trophy final, though India proved too strong in the decider.

England pulled off a stunning turnaround to regain the Ashes, thrashing Australia by an innings and 78 runs at Trent Bridge in just over two days. The series had been billed as a close contest, but the match was virtually decided in the opening session when Stuart Broad produced one of the greatest spells in Ashes history – 8 for 15 – skittling Australia for 60 in 18.3 overs, the shortest first innings in Test history. Joe Root (130) and Jonny Bairstow (74) piled on the pain before England declared 331 ahead. Ben Stokes then grabbed five wickets in Australia’s second innings to seal the win early on day three. It was Alastair Cook’s second home Ashes win as captain, while Michael Clarke announced he would retire after the final Test.

Angus Fraser, one of England’s most dependable seamers, was born. Even after a major hip operation slowed him down, he twice claimed eight wickets in an innings in the West Indies. His first Test victim was Steve Waugh in the 1989 series, in which Waugh had already piled up 393 runs. Fraser ended his career with 177 Test wickets – injury being the only thing that stopped him reaching 200.

Leicestershire skipper Colin Ackermann stunned the cricket world by taking the first-ever T20 seven-for – 7 for 18 with his offbreaks – against Birmingham. Incredibly, when he started his third over, Birmingham still needed 72 from six overs with seven wickets left, and Ackermann had only one wicket to his name. He went on to take three wickets in each of his next two overs, including three bowled and one caught-and-bowled, sealing a 55-run win. “I’d never have believed this in a million years – I count myself as a batting allrounder,” he said.

Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler’s fighting fifties guided England to a thrilling three-wicket win over Pakistan at Old Trafford. Shan Masood’s composed 156 and Yasir Shah’s four-for had put Pakistan in control with a lead of over 100. But after bowling them out for 169 in the second innings, England were set 277 to win. They collapsed to 117 for 5 before Buttler, under pressure after a poor showing with the gloves, joined Woakes in a 139-run stand to complete the second-highest successful chase at the ground.

Pakistan’s innings of 708 at The Oval – still their highest in Tests – finally ended after more than two days. It ensured a draw and a 1-0 series win. England’s bowlers toiled through 220.3 overs, with Ian Botham taking 3 for 217.

England beat South Africa by 177 runs at Old Trafford to win Joe Root’s first series as captain, 3-1. Moeen Ali starred with an unbeaten 75 in the second innings to set a target of 380, then took 5 for 69 to finish the job. He became just the ninth player to score 250 runs and take 25 wickets in a series. The win also ended England’s 19-year wait for a home series victory over South Africa.

England avoided a third consecutive blackwash against West Indies, but a 4-0 series defeat still told the story. In the final Test at The Oval, Neil Foster’s heroics gave England a first-innings lead in Graham Gooch’s first match as captain, but Viv Richards’ men were too strong.

Dilip Sardesai, the backbone of India’s famous 1970-71 series win in the Caribbean, was born. He scored three centuries in that tour, including a career-best 212 in Kingston, averaging 80.25 for the series. Later that year in England, his innings of 54 and 40 set up India’s first-ever win at The Oval. Known for his stubborn defence but capable of rapid scoring, he once struck one of India’s fastest hundreds against New Zealand in 1964-65. Sardesai passed away in 2007.

Bill Voce, Harold Larwood’s partner in the infamous Bodyline series, was born. He was England’s spearhead in the 1936-37 Ashes, taking 17 wickets in the first two Tests before Don Bradman inspired Australia to a 3-2 comeback win. He returned for the 1946-47 tour but was past his best, taking 0 for 161 in his last two Tests.

Jack Ryder, the first batter to score six consecutive Test fifties, was born. His unbeaten 201 against England in Adelaide in 1924-25 is regarded as one of the greatest innings, helping Australia to a narrow 11-run win and a 3-0 series lead. He later captained Australia in the 1928-29 Ashes, which they lost.

At 66, WG Grace played his final club match, for Eltham against Northbrook. In an anticlimactic finish to such a legendary career, he neither batted nor bowled, and the game ended in a draw.

Pakistan’s Mohammad Wasim was born. He burst onto the scene with 109 on debut against New Zealand in 1997, but his career was marked by inconsistency, despite a high of 192 against Zimbabwe. He was dropped in 2000 and later played domestic cricket in New Zealand for Otago.