Cricketers Born on December 18

Keith PiperENG
Keith Piper

56y / 1969

Wicket-keeper batsman

Lalchand RajputIN
Lalchand Rajput

64y / 1961

Batsman

Mervyn GrellWI
Mervyn Grell

126y / 1899

Batsman

Arnold LongENG
Arnold Long

85y / 1940

Wicket-keeper batsman

Imad WasimPK
Imad Wasim

37y / 1988

All-rounder

Noel McGregorNZ
Noel McGregor

94y / 1931

Batsman

Eric TindillNZ
Eric Tindill

115y / 1910

Wicket-keeper batsman

Usman KhawajaAU
Usman Khawaja

39y / 1986

Batsman

Player Info

1927 – Bill Ponsford Redefines Batting Greatness

Australian batting giant Bill Ponsford went one better than himself by smashing 437 for Victoria against Queensland in Melbourne, breaking his own world record of 429 set five years earlier. For decades, Ponsford stood alone as the only batter to score two quadruple centuries in first-class cricket, a feat unmatched until Brian Lara’s historic 400* and 501.

1986 – Birth of Usman Khawaja

Born in Pakistan, Usman Khawaja would go on to carve out a remarkable career with Australia, becoming the country’s first Muslim Test cricketer and a qualified pilot along the way. After a modest start and multiple setbacks—including being dropped after the 2013 and 2019 Ashes—Khawaja repeatedly fought his way back. His ability against spin stood out in Abu Dhabi in 2018, and his late-career renaissance peaked in 2022, when he scored over 1,000 Test runs across two seasons.

2017 – Australia Clinch the Ashes at the WACA

In the final Test ever played at the WACA, Australia completed a dominant Ashes victory, beating England by an innings to seal the series 3–0 in under four weeks. Steven Smith piled on another double century, while Mitchell Marsh repaid faith with a career-defining 181. England’s faint hopes evaporated quickly once play began, with Josh Hazlewood’s 5 for 48 wrapping things up.

1988 – Australia’s Women Rule the World Again

Australia lifted their third consecutive Women’s World Cup, defeating England by eight wickets in Melbourne. England struggled to build partnerships despite Jan Brittin’s unbeaten 46, and Australia chased down the modest target with ease, led by Lindsay Reeler’s 59 not out.

2018 – Australia Win First Test at Perth Stadium

Australia marked the opening Test at the new Perth Stadium with a convincing 146-run win over India. Virat Kohli continued his brilliance, becoming the second-fastest to 25 Test centuries, but lacked support. Nathan Lyon, the lone frontline spinner, played a decisive role with eight wickets across the match.

2022 – A Rare Two-Day Test at the Gabba

Only the second two-day Test ever played in Australia ended in Australia’s favour as South Africa collapsed twice. Pat Cummins took five wickets, while Mitchell Starc reached 300 Test wickets. Despite a brief wobble in the chase, Australia crossed the line with help from South Africa’s generosity in extras.

1960 – ML Jaisimha’s Marathon 99

Indian batter ML Jaisimha produced one of the slowest, most patient innings ever seen in Test cricket against Pakistan in Kanpur. Batting for 505 minutes, he crawled to 99 before being run out attempting a quick single. The innings was low on excitement but high on endurance.

1948 – BB Nimbalkar’s Unfinished Epic

In Poona, BB Nimbalkar came agonisingly close to history, stranded on 443, just ten runs shy of Don Bradman’s world record. His opponents, Kathiawar, refused to resume play after tea, forfeiting the match and denying Nimbalkar a shot at immortality.

1954 – A Century Before Lunch

South African wicketkeeper Russell Endean enjoyed a memorable morning in Johannesburg, racing to an unbeaten 197 before lunch for Transvaal against Orange Free State—a record that still stands as the highest score made before lunch in first-class cricket.

1968 – A Record Day Behind the Stumps

New South Wales keeper Brian Taber matched a long-standing world record by completing 12 dismissals (nine catches and three stumpings) in a single first-class match, equalling feats by Ted Pooley and Don Tallon.

1910 – Eric Tindill: Cricket and Rugby’s Rarity

Eric Tindill holds a unique place in sporting history as the only man to play Test cricket and Test rugby, and later officiate at the highest level in both sports. His career was interrupted by World War II, but his versatility remains unmatched.

2025 – Jharkhand’s Record-Breaking T20 Triumph

Jharkhand created history by posting the highest total ever in a T20 final, crushing Haryana by 69 runs to win their first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Captain Ishan Kishan’s blistering 45-ball hundred set the tone, with Kumar Kushagra’s 81 adding further damage.

1931 – Birth of Noel McGregor

New Zealand batter Noel McGregor was born in 1931 and later played a part in some key moments for his country, including a vital 68 in New Zealand’s first-ever away Test win in Cape Town in 1962.

1988 – Imad Wasim Is Born

Born in Swansea, Imad Wasim evolved from a pace-bowling hopeful into a dependable left-arm spinner and allrounder for Pakistan. He played key roles in ICC tournaments and captained Karachi Kings to their maiden PSL title in 2020.

1940 – Arnold Long’s Quiet Excellence

Long-serving wicketkeeper Arnold Long enjoyed a distinguished county career with Surrey and Sussex. As Sussex captain, he masterminded their 1978 Gillette Cup triumph, retiring with over 1,000 first-class dismissals to his name.

Last updated on: December 22, 2025