Cricketers Born on November 9

John ShepherdWI
John Shepherd

82y / 1943

All-rounder

Edward van der MerweZA
Edward van der Merwe

122y / 1903

Wicket-keeper batsman

Alfred DipperENG
Alfred Dipper

140y / 1885

Batsman

Joe HardstaffENG
Joe Hardstaff

143y / 1882

Batsman

Tommy GreenhoughENG
Tommy Greenhough

94y / 1931

Batsman

Prithvi ShawIN
Prithvi Shaw

26y / 1999

Batsman

Mathew SinclairNZ
Mathew Sinclair

50y / 1975

Wicket-keeper batsman

Player Info

1985 – Richard Hadlee’s Unstoppable Brilliance

A day that forever belongs to Richard Hadlee. In the first Test at Brisbane, Hadlee produced a once-in-a-lifetime performance, claiming 9 for 52 in an innings and 15 for 123 in the match — still one of New Zealand’s greatest bowling feats. He even sacrificed a possible ten-wicket haul by taking a catch to give Vaughan Brown his maiden Test wicket — a true act of team spirit. The win marked an innings victory for New Zealand and underlined Australia’s struggles in the mid-1980s — they had just one win in 20 Tests during that rough patch.

2019 – Shafali Verma’s Record-Breaking Knock

At just 15 years old, Shafali Verma became the youngest Indian to score a half-century in international cricket. Her fearless 73 off 49 balls powered India to an 84-run win over West Indies in St. Lucia. Her record 143-run opening stand with Smriti Mandhana set up the victory — just months after Verma had already made history as the youngest Indian woman to debut in a T20I. The start of something special.

1986 – West Indies Hit Back Hard

After being humiliated for 53 in the first Test, West Indies roared back in the second against Pakistan. They included two specialist spinners — Roger Harper and Clyde Butts — but the quicks did all the damage. Malcolm Marshall, Tony Gray, and Courtney Walsh ran riot, bowling Pakistan out for 131 and 77, their lowest-ever total at home. To make matters worse, Qasim Umar had to retire hurt after taking a brutal bouncer from Walsh. A crushing innings victory restored Caribbean pride.

1975 – Birth of Mathew Sinclair

Born in Australia but raised in New Zealand, Mathew Sinclair made one of the most memorable Test debuts ever. Facing the West Indies in Wellington, he scored a majestic 214 — only the third-highest debut score in Test history at the time. Though he never quite cemented his place later on, that double century remains a shining moment in New Zealand cricket.

2020 – Trailblazers Win the Women’s T20 Challenge

Smriti Mandhana’s 68 and Salma Khatun’s 3 for 18 guided Trailblazers to their first Women’s T20 Challenge title in Dubai, beating Supernovas by 16 runs. Despite Radha Yadav’s five-wicket haul, which restricted the Trailblazers to 118, the pitch turned tricky in the second innings. The spinners dominated, sealing victory. Yadav finished as the tournament’s top wicket-taker, while Chamari Athapaththu led the run charts.

1969 – Sportsmanship in Bombay

Australia’s eight-wicket win over India in Bombay is remembered not for the result, but for Subrata Guha’s humility. After controversy over Srinivas Venkataraghavan’s exclusion, Guha voluntarily stepped aside so the offspinner could play. On the field, Keith Stackpole hit a century, and mystery spinner John Gleeson bagged seven wickets. The match was marred by a small riot after Venkat’s controversial dismissal, but Australia sealed the win on day five.

1955 – Rain Spoils Pakistan’s Dominance in Dhaka

The third Test between Pakistan and New Zealand in Dhaka (then East Pakistan) saw two rain-soaked days, but Pakistan made full use of a damp coir-matting pitch. Khan Mohammad tore through New Zealand with 6 for 21, bowling them out for 70 — a record low in Pakistan for decades. Hanif Mohammad’s 103 helped the hosts dominate, but persistent rain washed away their hopes of a 3–0 series sweep.

1999 – The Rise (and Pause) of Prithvi Shaw

Born on this day, Prithvi Shaw was once hailed as India’s next big thing. He captained India’s U-19 side to a World Cup win in 2018 and smashed a century on Test debut against West Indies. But injuries, a doping ban, and inconsistency derailed his progress. Despite flashes of brilliance in domestic cricket and the IPL with Delhi Capitals, Shaw’s career remains a story of immense talent waiting for a second breakthrough.

2015 – Warner, Khawaja Lead Australia’s Big Win

Australia dominated New Zealand in the first Test at Brisbane, piling up 389 for 2 on day one. David Warner (163) and Usman Khawaja (174) tore into the bowlers, and Kane Williamson’s valiant 140 couldn’t prevent an innings defeat. Warner’s second hundred in the same match extended Australia’s lead to 503 before the declaration. New Zealand were bowled out for 295, sealing a commanding win for the hosts.

1931 – Tommy Greenhough, the Overlooked Leggie

Born on this day, Tommy Greenhough was an English legspinner who might have achieved far more if not for England’s traditional distrust of wrist spin. He took 16 wickets at an average of 22 in just four Tests, including 5 for 35 against India at Lord’s in 1959. With a miserly economy rate of 1.89, he was both dangerous and disciplined. Yet, his Test career ended prematurely in 1960, leaving him to shine for Lancashire instead.

1882 – Joe Hardstaff Sr: A Gentleman Cricketer

Joe Hardstaff Sr, born on this day, was a Nottinghamshire stalwart who scored over 17,000 runs at an average above 31 and represented England in five Tests. He toured Australia in 1907–08, averaging over 51, and later became a respected first-class umpire, standing in 21 Tests. His officiating career was limited only because he couldn’t umpire while his son, Joe Hardstaff Jr, was playing — a rare father-son story in English cricket.

Last updated on: November 4, 2025