Historic Cricket Moments on September 26

Historic Cricket Moments on September 26

Cricketers Born on September 26

Muthumudalige PushpakumaraLK
Muthumudalige Pushpakumara

44y / 1981

All-rounder

Mark HaslamNZ
Mark Haslam

53y / 1972

Batsman

Franklyn DennisCA
Franklyn Dennis

78y / 1947

Batsman

Sean WilliamsZW
Sean Williams

39y / 1986

All-rounder

Patterson ThompsonWI
Patterson Thompson

54y / 1971

Bowler

Charlie LlewellynZA
Charlie Llewellyn

149y / 1876

Batsman

Bob BarberENG
Bob Barber

90y / 1935

All-rounder

Jonny BairstowENG
Jonny Bairstow

36y / 1989

Wicket-keeper batsman

Vijay ManjrekarIN
Vijay Manjrekar

94y / 1931

Batsman

Ian ChappellAU
Ian Chappell

82y / 1943

Batsman

Player Info

1943 – Ian Chappell born

Born in Adelaide on this day, Ian Chappell was as Australian as they come—brave, adaptable, and a gritty batter who made 14 centuries in 75 Tests. He was also a sharp slip fielder, but above all, he is remembered as one of Australia’s finest captains. Dennis Lillee rated him the best leader he ever played under. Chappell led Australia to Ashes glory in 1974-75 and again in 1975. His plain-speaking style often clashed with cricket administrators, and his discontent played a major role in the birth of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket. After retiring, Chappell became a forthright TV commentator, a role he carried for 45 years.

1931 – Vijay Manjrekar born

One of India’s best players of fast bowling, Vijay Manjrekar was a master technician whose Test average of 39.12 hardly does justice to his talent. On his first overseas tour, he scored a memorable 133 against England at Headingley in 1952. Across 55 Tests, he hit seven hundreds, including an unbeaten 189 against England in Delhi in 1961-62. He bowed out with an unbeaten 102 in his final Test innings in 1965. Manjrekar passed away in 1983 at the age of 52. His son, Sanjay Manjrekar, would later become a regular for India in the 1980s and 90s.

1989 – Jonny Bairstow born

The son of former England wicketkeeper David Bairstow, Jonny carved his own legacy. After a stop-start Test career, he forced his way back into the team in 2015 and lit up 2016 with 1470 Test runs—the most ever by a keeper in a calendar year. In ODIs, he powered England’s record-breaking 481 against Australia in 2018 and starred in their 2019 World Cup-winning campaign with 532 runs. His finest year was 2022, when under “Bazball” he smashed six Test hundreds, including heroics against India and New Zealand.

1935 – Bob Barber born

Bob Barber, born in Manchester, was an attacking left-hand opener and handy legspinner. Known for his fearless approach and natural flair, he averaged 35 in 28 Tests. His crowning moment was a majestic 185 in Sydney in 1965-66, which earned him a Wisden Cricketer of the Year award in 1967.

1995 – Sri Lanka’s historic win in Sialkot

Sri Lanka thrashed Pakistan by 144 runs in Sialkot to seal their first overseas Test series win. It was also Pakistan’s first home series defeat since 1980-81. Chasing 357, Pakistan crumbled to 15 for 5 before Moin Khan’s defiant 117. But the result was never in doubt, as Sri Lanka scripted history.

2017 – Ben Stokes arrested in Bristol

Ben Stokes was arrested after an altercation outside a Bristol nightclub, with team-mate Alex Hales also present. The ECB suspended both players. Stokes missed the Ashes and was later charged with affray, though he was eventually acquitted.

1876 – Charles “Buck” Llewellyn born

The South African allrounder made history in 1901 by becoming the first man to score 1000 runs and take 100 wickets for Hampshire in a single English season—a feat he repeated twice more. Llewellyn played 15 Tests between 1896 and 1912 and played a key role in South Africa’s first-ever Test win against Australia.

2019 – Essex clinch County Championship

Essex won their eighth County Championship after a rain-hit draw against Somerset at Taunton. Alastair Cook anchored the chase with an unbeaten 30, sealing the title in what was Marcus Trescothick’s farewell match.

1999 – Sunil Joshi’s magical spell

In the LG Cup at Nairobi, Sunil Joshi produced dream figures of 10-6-6-5, dismissing stars like Gibbs, Cronje, Rhodes, and Pollock. India cruised to victory, though South Africa had the last laugh by winning the final.

1971 – Patterson Thompson born

West Indies pacer Patterson Thompson endured one of Test cricket’s most forgettable debuts. Against New Zealand in 1995-96, he bowled 22 no-balls and conceded runs at over five an over. He played just one more Test before fading away.

1999 – Rain saves Australia in Galle

A tropical storm in Galle ensured the second Test against Sri Lanka ended in a draw. Only 30.5 overs were bowled across the last three days, saving Australia, who were under huge pressure on a turning track.

1986 – Sean Williams born

The Zimbabwean allrounder has been a key figure for his side. A left-handed batter and useful spinner, Williams has played several standout knocks, including centuries against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. In 2023, he was in sublime ODI form, scoring 600 runs in the World Cup Qualifier.

Last updated on: September 23, 2025