Cricketers Born on November 5

Kenneth WalterZA
Kenneth Walter

86y / 1939

Batsman

David AllanWI
David Allan

88y / 1937

Wicket-keeper batsman

George BissettZA
George Bissett

120y / 1905

Bowler

Herb McGirrNZ
Herb McGirr

134y / 1891

Batsman

Tim O\'BrienENG
Tim O\'Brien

164y / 1861

Batsman

Len WilkinsonENG
Len Wilkinson

109y / 1916

Batsman

Andy LloydENG
Andy Lloyd

69y / 1956

Batsman

Shiv Sunder DasIN
Shiv Sunder Das

48y / 1977

Batsman

Jess JonassenAU
Jess Jonassen

33y / 1992

All-rounder

Jason HolderWI
Jason Holder

34y / 1991

All-rounder

Eddie PaynterENG
Eddie Paynter

124y / 1901

Batsman

Virat KohliIN
Virat Kohli

37y / 1988

Batsman

Player Info

1988 – Birth of Virat Kohli, Run Machine and Leader

Born this year, Virat Kohli rose to fame early, captaining India’s Under-19 team to a World Cup title in 2008 and winning the senior World Cup in 2011 alongside legends like Sachin Tendulkar. In his first seven years of ODI cricket, he notched 23 centuries, ten of them in successful chases. Kohli’s Test career was equally impressive, with twin hundreds in Adelaide as captain and multiple record-breaking innings. By 2015, he became the fastest player to 1000 T20I runs and later broke Tendulkar’s record for most ODI hundreds in 2023. He stepped down from Test captaincy in 2022, leaving a legacy as India’s most successful leader and one of the greatest batsmen in modern cricket.

1901 – Eddie Paynter, Ashes Hero

Left-hander Eddie Paynter debuted late at 29 but left an indelible mark. Over 20 Tests, seven against Australia, he averaged 84 in Ashes matches, scoring double centuries (216 vs Australia, 243 vs South Africa). His most famous innings came in Brisbane during the 1932–33 Ashes, defying tonsillitis to hit the series-winning six. Paynter was a stalwart for Lancashire, scoring 322 against Sussex in 1937, and passed away in Yorkshire in 1979.

2009 – India vs Australia, Hyderabad Thriller

In a nail-biting ODI, Sachin Tendulkar scored 175 off 141 balls, surpassing 17,000 career runs. India came agonizingly close to chasing Australia’s 350 but fell four runs short in the 48th over, echoing past near-misses in Chennai in 1999.

1991 – Birth of Jason Holder, West Indies Allrounder

At 6’7”, Jason Holder became West Indies’ captain at 23. A fast-bowling allrounder, he saved his maiden Test with a 2.5-hour effort from No. 8 against England in 2015. Holder led West Indies to multiple wins, including a historic victory at Headingley, and became the No. 1 Test allrounder in 2019, also captaining in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.

2015 – Pakistan vs England, Shah and Hafeez Shine

Pakistan edged a series win against England, highlighted by Yasir Shah taking 15 wickets in two Tests and Shoaib Malik scoring a double century in Abu Dhabi. Mohammad Hafeez’s hundred in Sharjah sealed the victory, marking a memorable end to his Test career.

2023 – India vs South Africa, Dominant Win

India crushed South Africa by 243 runs in Kolkata, led by Virat Kohli’s 49th ODI century (tying Tendulkar’s record) and a career-best 5/33 by Ravindra Jadeja. The win marked India’s eighth consecutive World Cup victory.

1994 – Saleem Malik’s Masterclass in Lahore

Australia looked set to level the series but were thwarted by Saleem Malik, whose 143 and 196-run partnership with Aamer Sohail denied Australia a win. Malik’s heroics extended Australia’s wait for a Test victory in Pakistan to 14 Tests and 35 years.

1932 – Don Bradman, Responding in Style

Bradman hit 232 runs in just 200 minutes for New South Wales, including 32 fours, responding perfectly to critics after a disappointing performance against MCC the week before.

1993 – Sharjah Pepsi Champions Trophy Final

Basit Ali scored a rapid 129*, while Brian Lara followed with 153, guiding West Indies to a six-wicket victory over Pakistan. Lara equaled Viv Richards’ record with 21 fours in his innings, ensuring a thrilling finish.

1992 – Jess Jonassen, Match-Winning Spinner

Born this year, Jess Jonassen played a key role in Australia’s T20 World Cup wins, including a match-winning 3/25 in the 2012 final against England. She later became the No. 1 bowler in the format with 31 wickets at 13.29 across 2018–19.

2022 – Mumbai Wins First Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

Mumbai clinched their first T20 title with a last-over thriller against Himachal Pradesh in Kolkata. Sarfaraz Khan’s calm batting and Tanush Kotian’s finishing ensured a three-wicket win.

1977 – Shiv Sunder Das, Orissa’s Opening Star

Das, one of India’s key openers in the early 2000s, was known for his precise footwork and still head. Despite some inconsistency, he scored notable hundreds against Zimbabwe and a first-class triple-hundred in 2006–07.

1956 – Andy Lloyd, Debut Ends Abruptly

Left-handed opener Andy Lloyd debuted against West Indies in 1984 but was hospitalized after a blow from Malcolm Marshall within 30 minutes. Despite a prolific first-class career (over 17,000 runs), he never played for England again.

1916 – Len Wilkinson, Legspinner with Unfulfilled Potential

Len Wilkinson took 151 first-class wickets in 1938, but his Test career was limited to three matches in South Africa. Post-WWII, he did not play for England again, remembered more for bowling than batting (321 runs vs. 282 wickets).

1987 – Graham Gooch Leads England to World Cup Final

In the semi-final against India in Bombay, Gooch’s 115 helped England reach 254/6. Allan Lamb supported with a late flourish, and England won by 35 runs, advancing to face Australia in the final. This match also marked Sunil Gavaskar’s last international appearance.

1964 – Death of Peter the Cricket-Watching Cat

Peter, a black cat who spent 12 years at Lord’s, became the only animal to receive a Wisden obituary. Known for prowling the field during matches, Peter passed away on this day.

Last updated on: November 2, 2025