Historic Cricket Moments on September 18

Historic Cricket Moments on September 18

Cricketers Born on September 18

Nicky PengENG
Nicky Peng

43y / 1982

Bowler

Sam StaplesENG
Sam Staples

133y / 1892

Batsman

Bruce MurrayNZ
Bruce Murray

85y / 1940

Batsman

Derek PringleENG
Derek Pringle

67y / 1958

Bowler

Alphonso RobertsWI
Alphonso Roberts

88y / 1937

Batsman

Winston DavisWI
Winston Davis

67y / 1958

Bowler

Darren GoughENG
Darren Gough

55y / 1970

Bowler

Player Info

1970 – Birth of England’s Strike Bowler Darren Gough

Darren Gough, born today, became England’s leading fast bowler of the 1990s. Nicknamed “Dazzler,” he made a spectacular Test debut against New Zealand at Old Trafford in 1994, scoring 65 and taking six wickets. He followed it with another fifty in Sydney and 6 for 49 in the first innings. Over time, his batting faded, but he continued to excel in one-day cricket. Gough later captained Yorkshire, returned to Essex, and gained celebrity fame by winning a BBC ballroom dancing competition.

1958 – Birth of Winston Davis

Winston Davis, a talented yet tragic West Indies fast bowler, was born today. He took 45 wickets in 15 Tests but shone in ODIs, famously taking 7 for 51 against Australia at Headingley in the 1983 World Cup, a record that stood for 20 years. Tragically, he was paralysed in 1997 after a fall from a tree.

1997 – Three Pairs of Brothers in a Test Team

The first day of the Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand featured a unique occurrence: three sets of brothers played in the same team. Andy and Grant Flower, Bryan and Paul Strang, and Gavin and John Rennie all represented Zimbabwe in Harare. Grant Flower made centuries in both innings of the drawn match. Guy Whittall’s cousin Andy was the 12th man.

1937 – Birth of Alphonso “Alfie” Roberts

Alphonso Roberts, the first Test cricketer from the smaller West Indian islands, was born in St Vincent. He debuted at 18 in Auckland in 1955-56, scoring 28 in the first innings. West Indies collapsed for 77 in the second innings, losing by 190 runs, and Roberts never played another Test.

1997 – Sourav Ganguly’s Surprising Bowling Heroics

Sourav Ganguly scored just 2 in an ODI against Pakistan in Toronto, but stunned everyone by taking 5 for 16 in ten overs of medium pace. India’s 34-run victory gave them a 3-0 lead in the Sahara Cup series.

2019 – Kyle Abbott’s Record County Match Figures

Kyle Abbott delivered one of the best match bowling performances in first-class cricket since Jim Laker’s 1956 Old Trafford Test. Playing for Hampshire against Somerset, Abbott finished with 17 for 86, the fourth-best match figures in County Championship history. He took 9 for 40 in the first innings, then six wickets in six overs in the second to secure a 136-run win.

1958 – Birth of Derek Pringle

Derek Pringle, born today, was an England medium-pace bowler built for one-day cricket. In the 1992 World Cup final, he took 3 for 22 in ten overs. As a batsman, he never impressed, with 18 not out as his highest World Cup score and just one fifty in 50 Tests. After retiring, Pringle became a cricket correspondent for the Daily Telegraph.

1940 – Birth of Bruce Murray

Bruce Murray, the “tall, unflappable, and somewhat dour” New Zealand opener, was born today. He scored 54 on his Test debut against India in 1968-69 and followed it with 74 in the next match. His career-best 90 came in Lahore in 1969, helping New Zealand beat Pakistan for the first time. Murray played 13 Tests, ending his career with a final match against England in 1971. His daughter Jo and granddaughters Jess and Amelia also became high-level cricketers.

Last updated on: September 19, 2025