Cricketers Born on December 21

Sajid MahmoodENG
Sajid Mahmood

44y / 1981

Bowler

Nolu NdzundzuZA
Nolu Ndzundzu

48y / 1977

Batsman

Gayan WijekoonLK
Gayan Wijekoon

49y / 1976

All-rounder

Corey CollymoreWI
Corey Collymore

48y / 1977

Bowler

Kris SrikkanthIN
Kris Srikkanth

66y / 1959

Batsman

Jackie HendriksWI
Jackie Hendriks

92y / 1933

Wicket-keeper batsman

Doug WaltersAU
Doug Walters

80y / 1945

Batsman

Hanif MohammadPK
Hanif Mohammad

91y / 1934

Batsman

Player Info

1934 – Birth of Hanif Mohammad

Cricket’s original marathon man, Hanif Mohammad, was born in 1934. Nicknamed The Little Master, he believed survival at the crease was an art form. His legendary 337 in Bridgetown (1958) came over more than 16 hours, rescuing Pakistan after they had followed on by 473 runs. A year later, he rewrote batting history with 499 for Karachi, a first-class record that stood until Brian Lara’s 501 in 1994—denied the landmark only by a run-out. Even late in his career, Hanif’s patience tortured bowlers, most memorably with an immovable 187 at Lord’s in 1967*. Uniquely, he shared the Test arena with three brothers, spanning generations within a single family.

1936 – Bradman’s Rare Failure

Even Don Bradman had his human moments. In the 1936 Sydney Test, he recorded his second consecutive Test duck, an almost unthinkable slump. It was his first series as captain, and Australia lost the opening two Tests. Bradman responded the only way he knew how—by burying England under runs in the remaining three matches to seal the series.

2025 – Australia Clinch the Ashes Before Christmas

Australia wrapped up the Ashes 3–0 in just 11 days, well before Christmas. England showed more resistance in Adelaide, pushing their totals higher than earlier Tests. Alex Carey’s century and a stabilising stand with Usman Khawaja, standing in for an unwell Steven Smith, rescued Australia early. Travis Head’s second-innings hundred proved decisive. Despite late defiance from Jamie Smith and Will Jacks, England’s improved fight came far too late.

1990 – The Waughs Make History

Brothers Mark and Steve Waugh etched their names into the record books with an unbroken stand of 464 for New South Wales against Western Australia in Perth. Both remained unbeaten—Mark on 229, Steve on 216—and, in twin-like symmetry, each struck 19 fours. At the time, it was the highest partnership in first-class cricket.

1945 – Doug Walters Is Born

Naturally gifted and fearless, Doug Walters lit up post-war cricket with aggressive strokeplay. While England never saw his best in Test centuries, elsewhere he thrived. In Perth in 1974, he famously reached his hundred with a six off Bob Willis on the last ball of the day. Against West Indies in 1969, he became the first batter to score both a hundred and a double-century in the same Test, redefining attacking batting.

1933 – Birth of Jackie Hendriks

West Indies wicketkeeper Jackie Hendriks was born in 1933. Though his batting returns were modest, his glovework was elite. He is sadly remembered for a brutal blow from Graham McKenzie in 1965 that required brain surgery. Hendriks recovered fully and later served West Indies cricket with distinction as a respected team manager.

1977 – Tony Mann’s Unlikely Test Heroics

In a depleted Australian side during the World Series Cricket era, Tony Mann produced one of the most unlikely match-winning performances in Test history. After conceding 112 runs without a wicket, the nightwatcher smashed a rapid 105 while chasing 339 against India in Perth. Australia won with 22 balls to spare. Mann played only four Tests, but this innings secured his place in cricket folklore.

1959 – Birth of Kris Srikkanth

Fearless to a fault, Kris Srikkanth brought chaos wherever he batted. Born in 1959, he was the attacking counterpoint to Sunil Gavaskar. While his Test average disappointed, he delivered when it mattered most—top-scoring in the 1983 World Cup final, which India famously won. Later, he captained India in Pakistan in 1989 and went on to become chairman of India’s first professional selection committee.

1977 – Corey Collymore Is Born

West Indies seamer Corey Collymore possessed a smooth action but lacked the raw pace needed for sustained success. Born in 1977, he enjoyed flashes of brilliance, including 9 for 85 in Kingston and a 14-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in 2003. Injuries and inconsistency curtailed his career, and despite featuring in the 2007 World Cup, he never quite secured a permanent place in the side.

Last updated on: December 22, 2025