Shane Warne, born today, redefined legspin and made it a dominant force in Test cricket again. His career haul of 708 Test wickets included countless match-winning spells, but his most famous delivery remains the “Ball of the Century” to Mike Gatting at Old Trafford in 1993. Warne was central to Australia’s 1999 World Cup triumph and reserved his best for the Ashes, with hauls of 34 (1993), 27 (1994-95), 24 (1997), 31 (2001), and 40 (2005). In Sri Lanka in 2003-04, he took 26 wickets in three Tests, and he bowed out in style after Australia’s 5-0 Ashes sweep in 2006-07. Off the field, he was suspended for a year in 2003 for failing a drugs test, but he returned stronger. Later, he captained Rajasthan Royals to victory in the inaugural IPL and became a familiar face in commentary boxes. Warne died in March 2022, aged 52, of a suspected heart attack while on holiday in Thailand.

Robin Smith, born today, was one of England’s finest players of fast bowling, renowned for his fierce cover drives. Though he played only 62 Tests, he carved memorable knocks: twin centuries against Australia in 1989, two more against West Indies in 1991, and a career-best 175 at St John’s in 1993-94. Against spin he was less secure, but he proved his mettle with 128 against Muralitharan’s Sri Lanka in 1992-93. Smith also scored four ODI hundreds, including a brilliant unbeaten 167 against Australia in 1993. He retired from first-class cricket in 2003.

At Old Trafford, Lancashire’s Steve O’Shaughnessy blasted a century in just 35 minutes against Leicestershire, equalling Percy Fender’s record for the fastest first-class hundred (1920). But Wisden later downgraded the innings, noting the opposition served up long hops and full tosses in an effort to force a result. Lancashire refused to declare, and the match was drawn.

New Zealand’s Craig McMillan, born today, was a gritty middle-order batter who also chipped in with the ball. He scored 54 on debut in Brisbane (1997-98) before making memorable centuries: 142 at Colombo later that season, 142 in Wellington (2000-01), and 107* at Old Trafford during New Zealand’s historic 1999 series win over England. Dropped in 2005, he returned with a blistering 67-ball century (a national record) in 2007, earning a World Cup call-up. He top-scored for New Zealand at the inaugural World T20 before retiring later that year, aged just 31.

Somerset pulled off the highest successful chase in T20 Blast history to clinch their third title, and second in three years. Hampshire posted a daunting total, powered by Toby Albert’s 85, but Will Smeed stole the show with a dazzling 94 off 58 balls. Somerset won by six wickets with an over to spare, capped off by skipper Lewis Gregory smashing a four and two sixes in quick succession.

Chandika Hathurusingha, born today, forged a steady opening partnership with Roshan Mahanama for Sri Lanka. He began with three fifties in his first three Tests but struggled against pace in South Africa and later moved to the middle order. Though selected for the 1999 World Cup, he didn’t play. After retiring in 2005, Hathurusingha turned to coaching, taking charge of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in international cricket.

Surrey clinched their first County Championship title since 2002, their 19th overall, by beating Worcestershire away. Morne Morkel, who took 50 wickets that season, fittingly struck the winning runs. Rory Burns topped the Championship run charts by a wide margin.

Yorkshireman Arthur Mitchell, born today, was nicknamed “Ticker” for his habit of offering constant verbal advice in the field. Called in late for his fourth Test, he made 58 and 72 against South Africa at Headingley in 1935. A one-club man, Mitchell played for Yorkshire from 1922 to 1947, winning 12 County Championships.

The first scheduled Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand, at Greater Noida, was abandoned without a ball bowled across five days. Poor drainage and facilities meant play wasn’t possible even when conditions were fine. It was only the eighth Test in history to be abandoned without a delivery bowled.