Cricketers Born on December 16

Anamul HaqueBD
Anamul Haque

33y / 1992

Wicket-keeper batsman

Lall SinghIN
Lall Singh

116y / 1909

Batsman

Syd CurnowZA
Syd Curnow

118y / 1907

Batsman

Jacobus DuminyZA
Jacobus Duminy

128y / 1897

Batsman

Graham StevensonENG
Graham Stevenson

70y / 1955

Batsman

Imran NazirPK
Imran Nazir

44y / 1981

Batsman

Ricardo PowellWI
Ricardo Powell

47y / 1978

Batsman

Danish KaneriaPK
Danish Kaneria

45y / 1980

Bowler

Craig WhiteENG
Craig White

56y / 1969

All-rounder

Freddie BrownENG
Freddie Brown

115y / 1910

All-rounder

Joel GarnerWI
Joel Garner

73y / 1952

Bowler

Jack HobbsENG
Jack Hobbs

143y / 1882

Batsman

Player Info

1882 – Birth of a True Great: Jack Hobbs

Cricket’s original run machine, Sir Jack Hobbs, was born in 1882. No player in history has scored more first-class runs than Hobbs’ astonishing 61,760, nor more centuries (199). A Surrey legend and an England icon, he formed what many still consider the greatest opening partnership ever with Herbert Sutcliffe. Hobbs was especially dominant against Australia, scoring a record 12 Test hundreds, including three in four innings during the 1911–12 Ashes. Wisden later named him one of the Five Cricketers of the 20th Century. He passed away in Hove in 1963, leaving behind a legacy untouched.

1952 – The Birth of ‘Big Bird’: Joel Garner

Standing 6ft 8in and armed with lethal yorkers, Joel Garner was one of the most fearsome fast bowlers the game has known. Overshadowed at times by fellow West Indies legends Malcolm Marshall and Michael Holding, Garner didn’t always grab headlines—but he didn’t need to. In one-day cricket, he remains the most economical bowler in history. His finest hour came in the 1979 World Cup final, where he destroyed England with 5 for 4 in just 11 balls, most of them unplayable yorkers.

1997 – Belinda Clark Breaks the 200 Barrier

On this day in Mumbai, Belinda Clark rewrote cricket history by becoming the first player—man or woman—to score a double century in ODIs. Her unbeaten 229 off 155 balls against Denmark powered Australia to 412 for 3 in the 1997 Women’s World Cup. Denmark replied with just 49, barely a fifth of Clark’s score. Her record stood until Rohit Sharma’s 264 in 2014. Clark later retired as Australia’s leading run-scorer and most capped captain in women’s cricket.

2023 – India’s Historic Home Test Win

India registered a landmark moment in women’s cricket by defeating England in Mumbai by a massive 347 runs, their first home Test win in nine years and first ever against England at home. Deepti Sharma starred with both bat and ball—scoring 67 and claiming her maiden five-wicket haul. Pooja Vastrakar provided key breakthroughs, including bowling Nat Sciver-Brunt for a first-ball duck, as England were comprehensively outplayed.

1927 – Don Bradman Begins His Journey

The legend of Sir Don Bradman began in Adelaide when he scored a century on his first-class debut for New South Wales. Batting at No. 7 in a strong side, Bradman made 118 in just over three hours. Though South Australia won the match by one wicket, cricket had discovered its greatest-ever batter. Bradman later joined South Australia and finished his career there, completing a remarkable circle.

1910 – An England Captain Born in Peru

Freddie Brown, born in Lima, Peru, went on to captain England between 1950 and 1953. A powerful lower-order batter and a versatile bowler, Brown earned huge respect—especially in Australia—despite leading England during the 1950–51 Ashes defeat. His leadership and character left a lasting impression. He died in Wiltshire in 1991.

1969 – Craig White’s Unusual Rise

Born in 1969, Craig White silenced doubters after receiving a central contract in 2000. He first burst onto the scene as a fast bowler against West Indies, then reinvented himself as a reliable allrounder, especially in Asia. Against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India, he averaged nearly 45 with the bat, proving far more valuable than many expected.

2020 – Jaffna Stallions Claim LPL Glory

The Jaffna Stallions dominated the Lanka Premier League final, defeating the Galle Gladiators with authority. Shoaib Malik steadied the innings early before captain Thisara Perera exploded with an unbeaten 39 off 14 balls. Galle’s chase collapsed early, and Malik earned Player of the Match for his all-round brilliance.

1995 – Rain Denies a Classic in Durban

What promised to be a thrilling finish between England and South Africa ended in frustration as rain washed out the final two and a half days. England’s bold bowling selection paid off as they dismissed South Africa for 225 and reached 152 for 5, but the weather had the final say.

1980 – Danish Kaneria Is Born

One of Pakistan’s finest spinners, Danish Kaneria rose to prominence after a strong performance against South Africa in 2003. Over the next two years, he took 78 wickets in 15 Tests, becoming Pakistan’s lead spinner. However, his career ended abruptly after a lifetime ban for spot-fixing in 2012, cutting short a once-promising journey.

1978 – Ricardo Powell’s Fleeting Brilliance

Ricardo Powell burst onto the scene with a stunning 124 in a one-day final against India in 1999. Though he showed flashes of brilliance, consistency eluded him. After struggling to hold his place, he stepped away from cricket in the mid-2000s.

1981 – Imran Nazir’s Rise and Fall

Highly rated at debut, Imran Nazir impressed early with aggressive strokeplay. He enjoyed highs—including a career-best 160 at the 2007 World Cup—but struggled for long-term consistency. After stints in the ICL and Pakistan’s T20 setup, he gradually faded from international contention.

1955 – Graham Stevenson’s Memorable Moments

Yorkshire allrounder Graham Stevenson enjoyed a brief but memorable England career. His ODI debut featured 4 for 33 and a rapid 28, while his most famous innings came at No. 11, scoring an unbeaten 115 alongside Geoff Boycott in a remarkable last-wicket stand.

1997 – Spin Does the Job for West Indies

In Sharjah, West Indies defeated India without a single wicket falling to a fast bowler. Carl Hooper, Rawl Lewis and Shivnarine Chanderpaul shared the wickets as the Windies booked their place in the final—a rare and fascinating one-day victory driven entirely by spin and discipline.

Last updated on: December 22, 2025