Cricketers Born on December 7

Alick AthanazeWI
Alick Athanaze

27y / 1998

Batsman

Beau CassonAU
Beau Casson

43y / 1982

Bowler

Winston PlaceENG
Winston Place

111y / 1914

Batsman

Janardan NavleIN
Janardan Navle

123y / 1902

Wicket-keeper batsman

George Macaulay EnglandENG
George Macaulay England

128y / 1897

Batsman

Rohan JayasekeraLK
Rohan Jayasekera

68y / 1957

Wicket-keeper batsman

Frank LaverAU
Frank Laver

136y / 1889

All-rounder

Anya ShrubsoleENG
Anya Shrubsole

34y / 1991

Bowler

Saleem YousufPK
Saleem Yousuf

56y / 1969

Wicket-keeper batsman

Geoff LawsonAU
Geoff Lawson

68y / 1957

Bowler

Player Info

1957 – Birth of Geoff Lawson

Geoff Lawson, lean, fiery, and genuinely quick, was born on this day. He first made headlines when he bounced Geoff Boycott in a tour match, a moment that fast-tracked him into the Test arena. Known for his urgent run-up and distinctive goose-step delivery stride, Lawson collected 180 wickets in 46 Tests, including 34 in the 1982–83 Ashes alone. Away from cricket, he was a qualified optician — famously fined once for humorously inspecting an umpire’s glasses after several appeals went against him.

2018 – New Zealand Break a 49-Year Drought

New Zealand sealed their first away series win against Pakistan in nearly five decades with a commanding victory in Abu Dhabi. Kane Williamson, after a first-innings 89, produced a composed century and batted through most of day four with Henry Nicholls (126*) to set a target of 280. By lunch on day five, Pakistan were 55 for 5 and later folded before tea. Debutant offspinner Will Somerville grabbed seven wickets, while Yasir Shah became the fastest to 200 Test wickets and was named Player of the Series.

1959 – Birth of Saleem Yousuf

Pakistan wicketkeeper Saleem Yousuf was born on this day. A combative presence behind the stumps, he collected 91 catches and 13 stumpings in 32 Tests. He also scored 1000 Test runs, though he never managed a century.

1997 – Pakistan’s Record Opening Stand

At the National Stadium in Karachi, Aamer Sohail (160) and Ijaz Ahmed (151) tore into a strong West Indies attack featuring Courtney Walsh, Ian Bishop, and Carl Hooper. Their 298-run partnership remains Pakistan’s highest for the first wicket and set up a ten-wicket victory, boosted further by nine wickets from Saqlain Mushtaq and seven from Wasim Akram.

1991 – Birth of Anya Shrubsole

England fast bowler Anya Shrubsole, one of the country’s most prolific quicks, was born on this day. She made an instant impact with three wickets on her T20I debut in 2008 and shone at the 2014 T20 World Cup, taking 13 wickets. Her career-defining moment came in the 2017 ODI World Cup final, where her unforgettable 6 for 46 powered England to the title. She finished her international career in 2022 with 100 wickets each in ODIs and T20Is.

2015 – India Crush South Africa in a Slow-Burn Contest

India beat South Africa by 337 runs in Delhi, though the score hides the incredible resistance shown by South Africa’s top order. Hashim Amla (289 minutes), AB de Villiers (354 minutes), Faf du Plessis (120 minutes), and Temba Bavuma (153 minutes) blocked for more than four sessions, scoring just 143 runs at 0.99 per over. India’s bowlers sent down 87 maiden overs. Ajinkya Rahane scored twin hundreds while Ashwin and Jadeja shared 14 wickets as India completed a 3-0 series sweep.

1983 – Greenidge and Richards Destroy India

In the fourth ODI at Jamshedpur, Gordon Greenidge smashed 115 off 134, only to be overshadowed by Viv Richards’ breathtaking 149 off 99 balls, featuring 20 fours and 3 sixes. Their brutal hitting powered West Indies to 333 for 8. India managed 229 for 5 in reply, with Sunil Gavaskar making 83.

1970 – Birth of Courtney Browne

Courtney Browne, the only English-born cricketer to play for West Indies, was born on this day in London. Though he never fully cemented his Test spot, he took nine catches in the 1995 Trent Bridge Test and later played a memorable hand in the 2004 Champions Trophy final, helping West Indies chase 218 from 147 for 8. After retiring, he became a selector for the national side.

1968 – West Indies Beat Australia in Brisbane

On the second day of a high-scoring Test in Brisbane, Bill Lawry and Ian Chappell scored centuries and added 217 for Australia. But after a collapse to 284, West Indies took control. Clive Lloyd’s 129 guided them to a strong position, and they eventually won by 125 runs.

2020 – England’s SA Tour Called Off

England’s limited-overs tour of South Africa was abandoned before the ODI series after multiple positive Covid tests within both camps and their hotel staff. The first ODI was cancelled less than an hour before the toss, postponed twice more, and eventually the entire series was scrapped — the first international series lost due to a bio-bubble breach.

1869 – Birth of Frank Laver

Australian cricketer Frank Laver was born on this day. He toured England three times, the last in 1909 as player-manager. A dispute over whether players could choose Laver again as manager led to a major conflict with the Australian board in 1912. On the field, he was a gritty batter and an impressive bowler, famously taking 8 for 31 at Old Trafford in 1909.

1992 – First Official ODI in South Africa

South Africa hosted their first official ODI in Cape Town after their return to international cricket. Hansie Cronje starred with 5 for 32 as India were bowled out for 184. South Africa chased the target with three balls to spare. During the match, Kepler Wessels became the first player ever to be given out by the TV umpire in an ODI.

Last updated on: December 7, 2025