Cricketers Born on December 17

Albert PadmoreWI
Albert Padmore

79y / 1946

Batsman

Barbara DanielsENG
Barbara Daniels

61y / 1964

All-rounder

Charl LangeveldtZA
Charl Langeveldt

51y / 1974

Bowler

Mushtaq AliIN
Mushtaq Ali

111y / 1914

Batsman

Aubrey FaulknerZA
Aubrey Faulkner

144y / 1881

Batsman

Charlotte EdwardsENG
Charlotte Edwards

46y / 1979

Batsman

Quinton de KockZA
Quinton de Kock

33y / 1992

Wicket-keeper batsman

Player Info

2012 – England End a 28-Year Drought in India

England finally cracked the code in India, winning a Test series there for the first time since 1984. Newly appointed captain Alastair Cook led from the front, piling up 562 runs, including three centuries, as England clinched the series 2–1. The pivotal moment came in Kolkata, where England expected a turning nightmare but found a more balanced surface at Eden Gardens. India’s batting failed twice, despite R Ashwin’s unbeaten 91 from No. 8, while James Anderson and Monty Panesar ran riot. Panesar and Graeme Swann combined for 47 wickets across the series, sealing a historic triumph.

1992 – Birth of Quinton de Kock

One of South Africa’s most dynamic wicketkeeper-batters, Quinton de Kock was born in 1992. He burst onto the international scene in 2013 with three consecutive ODI centuries, then repeated the feat with four hundreds in six innings two years later. De Kock impressed in Tests as well, shining in Galle and Centurion, and smashed 178 against Australia in ODIs in 2016. He later captained South Africa in white-ball cricket before stepping away from leadership and retiring from Tests in 2021. Though he retired from ODIs after the 2023 World Cup, he reversed that decision in 2025, underlining his enduring value.

1984 – England Strike Back in Delhi

England squared the series in India with an emphatic eight-wicket win in the second Test at Delhi. While young leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan troubled most batters, Tim Robinson, playing just his second Test, produced a marathon 160 that anchored England’s innings. Veteran spinners Phil Edmonds and Pat Pocock then turned the tables on India, giving the hosts a taste of their own medicine and shifting the momentum of the tour.

2013 – Australia Reclaim the Ashes

Australia regained the Ashes in ruthless fashion, wrapping up the series inside 14 days after a crushing win in Perth. The series belonged to Mitchell Johnson, whose blistering pace and bounce yielded 23 wickets in three Tests. Despite a valiant century from Ben Stokes, Australia surged to victory, with emotional scenes at the WACA marking the return of the urn Down Under.

1933 – India’s First Test Century

Indian cricket reached a milestone when Lala Amarnath scored the nation’s first-ever Test century, doing so on debut against England in Bombay. His attacking 118, studded with 21 fours, lit up a difficult situation and sparked scenes of wild celebration. Though England won the match, Amarnath’s innings became a defining moment in Indian cricket history.

2023 – Nathan Lyon Joins an Elite Club

Nathan Lyon became only the third Australian to reach 500 Test wickets, joining legends Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. The milestone came during a dominant win over Pakistan in Perth. Backed by strong batting performances, Australia set an imposing target before bowling Pakistan out cheaply, extending their miserable run of defeats.

1992 – Phil Simmons’ Spell for the Ages

Trinidad’s Phil Simmons produced one of the most astonishing ODI spells ever in Sydney, returning figures of 10–8–3–4 against Pakistan. His miserly bowling shredded Pakistan’s chase, leaving them 14 for 5 and eventually all out for 81—still one of the most economical completed spells in ODI history.

1946 – Barnes and Bradman Rewrite the Record Books

At the SCG, Sid Barnes and Don Bradman put on a staggering 405-run fifth-wicket partnership against England, both scoring 234. It set a new world record for the wicket in Tests and first-class cricket, played out under perfect batting conditions and in front of a massive crowd.

1974 – Jeff Thomson Torments England Again

England’s struggles against raw pace continued as Jeff Thomson tore through them in Perth, taking seven wickets in a nine-wicket Australian victory. The result put Australia 2–0 up in a series they would go on to win comfortably, with Thomson’s hostility proving irresistible—even to a recalled Colin Cowdrey, aged 41.

1979 – Charlotte Edwards, a Giant of the Women’s Game

Born in 1979, Charlotte Edwards went on to become one of England’s greatest-ever cricketers. A prodigy who debuted as a teenager, she later captained England to Ashes success, a World Cup title, and the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup. After retiring in 2016, she transitioned seamlessly into coaching, continuing her influence on the game.

1958 – West Indies Dominate in Kanpur

Despite Subhash Gupte’s sensational 9 for 102, West Indies claimed a commanding Test win in Kanpur. Garry Sobers starred with 198, while Wes Hall’s 11 wickets across the match proved decisive, overpowering India on the final day.

1881 – Birth of Aubrey Faulkner

South African allrounder Aubrey Faulkner was born in 1881 and set early standards for the role, averaging 40 with the bat and 26 with the ball. His standout performance came against England in 1909–10, but despite his brilliance, his life ended tragically in 1930.

1914 – Mushtaq Ali’s Graceful Legacy

Elegant Indian batter Mushtaq Ali formed a celebrated opening partnership with Vijay Merchant and played a key role in India’s early Test history. His final Test appearance coincided with India’s first-ever Test victory, marking a fitting end to a long international journey.

1974 – Charl Langeveldt’s Remarkable Story

Born in 1974, Charl Langeveldt rose from prison warder to international fast bowler. He delivered unforgettable moments for South Africa, including a last-over hat-trick to seal a one-run win in Barbados, before controversy later clouded the end of his Test career.

1964 – A World Cup Winner Is Born

Barbara Daniels, born in 1964, played a crucial role in England’s women’s setup during the 1990s. A World Cup winner and vice-captain, she later became the ECB’s first National Manager of Women’s Cricket, helping shape the professional era of the game.

Last updated on: December 22, 2025