Historic Cricket Moments on February 1

Historic Cricket Moments on February 1

Cricketers Born on February 1

Paul WhitelawNZ
Paul Whitelaw

116y / 1910

Batsman

Mahbubur RahmanBD
Mahbubur Rahman

57y / 1969

Batsman

Dave CallaghanZA
Dave Callaghan

61y / 1965

All-rounder

Naseer MalikPK
Naseer Malik

76y / 1950

Batsman

David SincockAU
David Sincock

84y / 1942

Batsman

Clifford McWattWI
Clifford McWatt

104y / 1922

Wicket-keeper batsman

Jahangir KhanIN
Jahangir Khan

116y / 1910

Batsman

Franklyn RoseWI
Franklyn Rose

54y / 1972

Bowler

Moises HenriquesAU
Moises Henriques

39y / 1987

All-rounder

Shoaib MalikPK
Shoaib Malik

44y / 1982

All-rounder

Ajay JadejaIN
Ajay Jadeja

55y / 1971

Batsman

Graeme SmithZA
Graeme Smith

45y / 1981

Batsman

Player Info

1981 – Graeme Smith: Born to Lead

Graeme Smith, the first player to captain in 100 Test matches, was born. After South Africa’s disastrous 2003 World Cup, selectors handed the reins to the inexperienced 22-year-old, making him the youngest Test captain in history. Smith quickly announced himself with back-to-back double centuries in England.

While defeats were inevitable during a rebuilding phase, Smith kept piling on runs at the top. Painful moments followed — a 3–0 Test loss to Australia in 2006 and a heartbreaking World Cup semi-final exit in 2007. But the turning point came with a 2–1 home series win over India in 2006–07. Under Smith, South Africa went on a golden run, conquering Pakistan, Bangladesh (highlighted by a record 415-run opening stand with Neil McKenzie), England, and famously Australia away in 2008. By 2012, South Africa were the No.1 Test side in the world. Smith retired in 2014 after a home series defeat to Australia, leaving behind a towering legacy.

1981 – The Infamous Underarm Incident

Cricket’s most controversial moment unfolded in a one-day final. New Zealand needed six off the last ball to tie. Instead of trusting his bowler, Australian captain Greg Chappell ordered his brother Trevor to roll the ball underarm along the ground.

Australia won, but the spirit of the game lost badly. The tactic caused global outrage and was swiftly banned. Ian Chappell, commentating at the time, summed it up perfectly: “No Greg, you can’t do that.”

1961 – Australia’s Great Escape in Adelaide

Another classic in the 1960–61 Australia–West Indies series. Chasing an impossible 460, Australia instead aimed to survive 120 eight-ball overs. Wickets tumbled, and with 100 minutes left, last man Lindsay Kline joined Ken “Slasher” Mackay.

Against all odds, the pair hung on, saving the Test and keeping the series alive — which Australia eventually won. One of the game’s great acts of survival.

1991 – England’s Collapse of Shame

England’s nightmare tour of Australia hit rock bottom in Perth. From a strong 191 for 2, Craig McDermott tore through them with a career-best 8 for 97, as the last eight wickets fell for just 53 runs.

The second innings was even worse, and Australia cruised to a nine-wicket win. England finished the series winless — their first such failure in Australia since 1958–59.

1971 – Ajay Jadeja Is Born

Ajay Jadeja, once a darling of Indian cricket, was born. Though his Test career was brief, he became a vital cog in India’s ODI setup, playing 196 matches.

His fearless 25-ball 45 against Pakistan in the 1996 World Cup quarter-final remains iconic, including 22 runs off a single over from Waqar Younis. A sharp fielder and clever finisher, Jadeja also once claimed 3 for 3 against England in Sharjah.

1982 – Shoaib Malik’s Long, Winding Journey

Shoaib Malik was born. His captaincy stint with Pakistan brought mixed results, but his versatility made him invaluable. He batted everywhere from opener to No.10 and even reinvented himself as a Test opener.

Despite a brief ban in 2010, Malik returned to script one of his finest moments — a stunning 245 against England in Abu Dhabi in 2015. He retired from Tests soon after to focus on white-ball cricket.

2025 – Australia Dominate Women’s Ashes

Australia handed England a crushing innings defeat at the MCG, completing a dominant women’s Ashes series. Alana King starred with her first Test five-for and nine wickets in the match, finishing with 23 wickets in the series.

Centuries from Annabel Sutherland and Beth Mooney ensured England never recovered, marking their first 16–0 multi-format Ashes defeat.

2025 – Khawaja’s Historic Double in Galle

Australia powered to an innings victory over Sri Lanka despite rain interruptions. Usman Khawaja scored his maiden Test double-hundred — the first by an Australian in Sri Lanka — while Steve Smith and debutant Josh Inglis added centuries in a record 654 for 6. Smith also crossed 10,000 Test runs, and Australia’s spinners sealed the match on day four.

1985 – Azharuddin Makes History

Mohammad Azharuddin continued a dream start to his career, becoming the first batter to score centuries in each of his first three Tests. His fluent hundred against England in Kanpur dazzled, though it wasn’t enough to level the series.

1987 – Moises Henriques Is Born

Moises Henriques, the first Portugal-born cricketer to represent Australia in Tests, was born. While his international career was limited, he became a stalwart of domestic and T20 leagues, captaining the Sydney Sixers and winning titles in the BBL, Champions League, and IPL.

1994 – Steve Waugh’s Match-Winning Return

Steve Waugh returned from injury with a statement performance against South Africa in Adelaide, scoring 164 and taking 4 for 26. Despite heroic resistance from South Africa, Australia clinched the Test. It was also Hansie Cronje’s first match as captain.

1972 – The Rise and Fall of Franklyn Rose

Franklyn Rose looked like the next great West Indian fast bowler when he took six wickets on debut against India. But inconsistency soon caught up with him, and a disastrous spell at Lord’s in 2000 effectively ended his Test career.

1979 – ‘Two-Metre Peter’ Is Born

Peter Fulton, standing 6’6”, was born. He showed promise early for New Zealand, scoring a World Cup hundred in 2007, but constant shuffling in the batting order and injuries prevented him from settling at Test level.

1995 – Zimbabwe’s Historic First Test Win

Grant and Andy Flower shared a monumental 269-run partnership against Pakistan in Harare. Grant’s unbeaten 201 powered Zimbabwe to their first-ever Test victory, an innings win that stunned the cricketing world.

1881 – Tip Snooke, South African Pioneer

Tip Snooke was born. A stylish batter and handy bowler, he played 26 Tests for South Africa, captained the side, and remarkably returned at age 42 to open the bowling against England.

1998 – England’s U-19 World Cup Triumph

England won the Under-19 World Cup, defeating New Zealand in Johannesburg. Stephen Peters scored a match-winning 107, and the squad featured future stars like Graeme Swann, Owais Shah, and Robert Key.

Last updated on: February 2, 2026