Cricketers Born on October 18

Asif MahmoodPK
Asif Mahmood

50y / 1975

Batsman

Dinesh ChandimalLK
Dinesh Chandimal

36y / 1989

Wicket-keeper batsman

Reetinder SodhiIN
Reetinder Sodhi

45y / 1980

All-rounder

Deepak ShodhanIN
Deepak Shodhan

97y / 1928

Batsman

Ramesh DivechaIN
Ramesh Divecha

98y / 1927

All-rounder

Stuart LawAU
Stuart Law

57y / 1968

Batsman

Gladstone SmallENG
Gladstone Small

64y / 1961

Bowler

Roy DiasLK
Roy Dias

73y / 1952

Batsman

Len BraundENG
Len Braund

150y / 1875

Batsman

Nathan HauritzAU
Nathan Hauritz

44y / 1981

Bowler

Billy MurdochAU
Billy Murdoch

171y / 1854

Wicket-keeper batsman

Narendra HirwaniIN
Narendra Hirwani

57y / 1968

Bowler

Player Info

1854 – Birth of Billy Murdoch

Billy Murdoch, born in Sandhurst, Australia, became cricket’s first Test double-centurion. Fleet-footed and masterful on flat pitches, Murdoch scored 153* at The Oval in 1880 after only 19 runs in his first five innings. His 13 and 29 in a famous seven-run victory in 1882 contributed to the birth of the Ashes. Two years later he scored 211 at the same ground. Murdoch died in 1911 during the fourth Test between Australia and South Africa in Melbourne.

1875 – Birth of Len Braund

Len Braund, rumbustious allrounder for Surrey and Somerset, played 23 Tests for England between 1901 and 1908. He was a powerful leg-side hitter, a crafty legspinner, and a brilliant slip fielder. Braund’s famous catch at Edgbaston in 1902 helped England bowl Australia out for 36. He also took 8 for 81 in the 1903-04 Melbourne Test decider. Braund umpired for 16 years but lost both legs late in life.

1952 – Birth of Roy Dias

Sri Lankan batter Roy Dias averaged 36.71 across 20 Tests. He starred in Sri Lanka’s first Test victory, scoring 95 and 60* against India, and followed it with a crucial 106 in Kandy to help the team draw and secure their first series win. After retirement, Dias coached Nepal for nine years, helping them achieve ODI status.

1961 – Birth of Gladstone Small

Gladstone Small made an immediate impact in Australia in 1986-87, taking 12 wickets in two Tests and a key Ashes-saving catch. A stop-start career due to injuries limited him to 17 Tests. On the 1989-90 West Indies tour, he took 17 wickets at 29. Small’s Test strike rate slowed later in his career, and his last Test was on Australia’s 1990-91 tour.

1968 – Birth of Narendra Hirwani

Legspinner Narendra Hirwani, born today, had a record-breaking Test debut at 19, taking 16 wickets for 136 against West Indies in Madras (1988). His second-innings 8 for 75 included a Test-record five stumpings by Kiran More. However, he struggled overseas afterward, taking just 21 wickets in his next nine Tests. He later served on India’s national selection panel in 2008.

1968 – Birth of Stuart Law

Australian batter Stuart Law, also born today, was a prolific first-class player whose one Test appearance saw him score 54* against Sri Lanka in 1995. Despite averaging over 50 in first-class cricket, he became a one-day specialist. Law captained Queensland to a Sheffield Shield in 1994-95, led Lancashire in 2008, and later coached Bangladesh, the West Indies, and Australia’s Under-19 team.

1969 – Hyderabad Riot

During the third Test against New Zealand, India were bowled out for 89 on a poorly prepared wicket. Graham Dowling refused to allow the groundsman to fix the pitch. India collapsed from 21/1 to 49/9, with Venkataraghavan and Bishan Bedi adding 40 for the last wicket. Furious, the crowd stoned police, lit bonfires, and tried to set fire to thatched roofing. Play ended 20 minutes early.

1981 – Birth of Nathan Hauritz

Australian offspinner Nathan Hauritz debuted in ODIs in 2002 and in Tests two years later on a difficult Mumbai pitch. He took nine wickets in three Tests in 2008-09, including ten in three Ashes Tests. Later, competition from Nathan Lyon and loss of his Queensland contract in 2014 ended his international career.

1992 – Zimbabwe’s Test Debut

Zimbabwe played their first Test in Harare against India, a tedious draw. Zimbabwe scored 426 in 214.2 overs, and India replied with 307 in 169.4 overs. John Traicos, returning 22 years after his last Test for South Africa, dismissed Sachin Tendulkar third ball for 0.

2020 – Double Super Over IPL Thriller

In a historic IPL match, Kings XI Punjab faced Mumbai Indians in a game that went to two Super Overs. Chris Jordan’s misjudged run resulted in a run-out, leading to the first Super Over. Mohammed Shami bowled perfectly in the second Super Over, and Chris Gayle hit the first ball for six, with Mayank Agarwal finishing with two fours to give KXIP the win.

2024 – Pakistan Beats England in Multan

Pakistan ended their three-year home losing streak with a dominant win over England in Multan, leveling the series 1-1. Sajid Khan (7 wickets) and Noman Ali (8 wickets) dismantled the visitors. Kamran Ghulam scored his maiden Test hundred, and England fell for 296 in the second innings. This was the first time since 1972 that two bowlers took all 20 wickets in a Test, echoing Bob Massie and Dennis Lillee’s feat.

Last updated on: October 24, 2025