All Today’s Yesterdays – July 28 down the yearsJuly 27| July 291936
Birth of surely the greatest allrounder in cricket history. Garry Sobers, one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Century, was just 21 years old when he converted his maiden Test century into a colossal 365 not out against Pakistan at Kingston in 1957-58, which remained the Test record for 36 years, until Brian Lara came along. Sobers won the 1966 series in England almost single-handed, scoring three centuries – all in excess of 160 – and a 94, as well as taking 20 wickets with his left-arm bowling, which would flit between seam and spinas befitted the situation. For many years he was a stalwart at Nottinghamshire, and against Glamorgan at Swansea in 1968, he became the first batsman to hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket, making Malcolm Nash famous in the process. A colossus with bad knees, Sobers retired from the game in 1974, with 8032 Test runs and 235 wickets tohis name, and was knighted shortly afterwards.1977
Talking of allrounders, on this day a likely lad called Ian Botham made his Test debut for England. He started as hemeant to go on by taking five Australian wickets on his first day, and immediately served notice of his ability to buy wickets through sheer force of personality. His maiden scalp was a memorable one – Greg Chappell, bowled off what can only be described as a rank long hop. He added a handy 25 from No. 8, as England won by seven wickets.1991
Order is restored at Edgbaston. After falling behind in the series, West Indies went 2-1 up against England with a seven-wicket victory in the fourth Test. The only English fifty of the match came from their No. 10, Chris Lewis, who also took six-for in the first innings and, at the age of just 23, was starting to look like the new Botham. The real deal, though, was Richie Richardson, who continued anoutstanding year – nobody matched his four Test hundreds in 1991 – with a decisive 104. As for England, their dreams of their first series win over the Windies since 1969 were over, but they salvaged plenty of pride by squaring theseries at The Oval.1987
A maniacal run-chase at Edgbaston. England were left to chase 124 off 18 overs to beat Pakistan and square the series. It called fora Flintoff or a Trescothick: instead Tim Robinson (4 off 10 balls) and Bill Athey (14 off 20) struggled to give themthe requisite oomph, and England ended up on 109 for 7. In Wisden Cricket Monthly, David Frith said that “like a man who had given up all hope of wealth and then seen some diamonds in the ditch, England had ruptured themselves in their anxiety to grasp the prize.” They did well to evenget close, though: at lunch on the final day, Pakistan were 79 for 1 – three runs behind and the most boring of draws drifting to sleep. Instead, it was so nearly a classic.1970
Birth of the first legspinner to play Test cricket for Zimbabwe. Paul Strang won his first cap in 1994-95 and was soon joined in the team by his brother Bryan. The highlight of his career came at Sheikhupura in 1996-97, when he followed an unbeaten century from No. 8 with five wickets in Pakistan’s reply, though hewas somewhat overshadowed by his opposite number in the batting order, Wasim Akram, who finished unbeaten on 257. A wrist injury kept him out of the side for three years, though his comeback was impressive – he took 8 for 109 against New Zealand at Bulawayo in 2000-01.1937
Two triple-centuries on the same day. Bouncy little Eddie Paynter scored 322 in five hours for Lancashire v Surrey at Hove – and Richard Moore hit 316 against Warwickshire at Bournemouth, still the highest County Championship score for Hampshire.1973
One of the new wave of West Indian fast bowlers, Nixon McLean was born. So far his middle names (Alexei McNamara) have been more impressive than his Test average (42.56).1934
South African batsman Louis Tancred died. His highest Test score was made in his very first innings: 97 against Australia in 1902-03. His brother Bernard was the first opener to carry his bat in Test cricket.1973
Victory for England in the inaugural women’s World Cup. Enid Bakewell hit 118 out of 273 for 3 to beat Australia by 92 runs at Edgbaston.Other birthdays
1931 Johnny Martin (Australia)
1891 Ron Oxenham (Australia)

Danish Kaneria struck two vital blows midway through the morning session to leave the Test match tantalisingly poised with five sessions to go. Bangladesh were in control of the situation at 194 for 3 – a lead of 136 – but the loss of Habibul Bashar and Alok Kapali resulted in the second hour being a real battle of cat-and-mouse. At lunch, Bangladesh had reached 221 for 5, with Rajin Saleh having faced 192 balls for his 45.The first hour had belonged to Bashar, who brought up his second Test century – only the fourth by a Bangladesh batsman, and the first against Pakistan – with a mixture of caution and reckless abandon. Having resumed on 82, Bashar was off and running with a cracking square drive off Shoaib Akhtar.The prospect of three figures was clearly making him nervous though, and he was fortunate that a thumping drive off Mohammad Hafeez just eluded Yousuf Youhana’s outstretched fingertips at deep midwicket. And if that wasn’t good fortune enough, an inside-edge off Akhtar’s bowling spun back just short of the stumps.But Bangladesh’s best batsman wouldn’t be denied, and a deft deflection down to short third man off Umar Gul saw him to 100, prompting sustained applause from the dressing room, and the small smattering of spectators. At that stage, with Saleh having dug a deep trench at the other end, things looked rosy for Bangladesh.It was Bashar’s penchant for the spectacular that undid him. Kaneria, who had persisted in pitching short and wide most of the morning, finally got one in the slot. Bashar leant back and had an almighty swing, but it didn’t even go as far as the average sand wedge – straight to Shabbir Ahmed at cover (194 for 4). Bashar’s 108 had spanned almost five hours, but the manner in which he gave it away took some of the sheen off the effort.Moments later, Kaneria sneaked a googly through Alok Kapali’s bat and pad, prompting a few anxious faces in the Bangladesh dressing room. They needn’t have worried. With Saleh showing the adhesive qualities of a periwinkle on rock, and Khaled Mashud providing stolid support, Pakistan’s best efforts were thwarted. Akhtar ran in and gave it his best shot, but the bowling seldom threatened a Bangladesh side that has suddenly discovered the access codes to Test match batting.

Maia Lewis has regained the captaincy reins of the New Zealand women’s team for the forthcoming tour of India and for the home and away series against Australia. She takes over from Emily Drumm who was unavailable to tour.Lewis was previously captain in 1997-98 but had to give up the position when having knee reconstruction surgery after the World Cup in 1997. Lewis was out of the game for several seasons but returned to the White Ferns last summer, and captained Wellington, her provincial side.Lewis was excited by the challenge ahead of her. “It’s an honour to have the opportunity to lead my country again and exciting to be confronting two of the greatest challenges in women’s cricket. I have toured India before so I have an understanding of the unique obstacles you have to overcome to be successful there. We then have the Rosebowl Series against Australia, who have had the wood on us in recent years, and who are setting the benchmark in women’s cricket at the moment.”Lewis said as well as making tactical on-field decisions, she felt itwould be her responsibility to help ensure there was a positive teamenvironment. “It will be my job to help create an environment where everyone is contributing to the best of their ability.”Mike Shrimpton, the team coach and selection convener, said: “Maia has already shown earlier in her career that she has thecapabilities to captain the team. Maia has captained the White Ferns in 17 internationals and the last time she captained them was in the 1997-98 season. She prefaced her return to full international cricket by captaining the New Zealand A team last summer.”She led her team [Wellington] very well, leading by example in the field and showing good tactical sense. Her batting was also outstanding and she finished the season with an average of 63. At the New Zealand Cricket Awards she deservedly received the Ruth Martin Cup for the best batsman in women’s cricket,” said Shrimpton.The New Zealand team for the tour of India will be named on October 14.

Flashpoint: Rikki Clarke lets fly to Mushfiqur Rahman

Rikki Clarke has been fined half of his match fee after his heated exchange with Mushfiqur Rahman during England’s opening Test against Bangladesh at DhakaClarke, who was making his Test debut, was hauled before Wasim Raja, the match referee, after England’s win, for verbally abusing Rahman on the fourth day. He was charged with a level-two offence under the Code of Conduct, and could potentially have had the embarrassment of becoming the first England player to be banned by the ICC.However, after a short hearing, 22-year-old Clarke escaped a ban. Instead he was fined 50% of his match fee, and will now available for selection in next week’s second Test at Chittagong.The flare-up happened when Clarke became frustrated after Rahman edged him through the vacant third-man area for four, and let the batsman know exactly how he felt with a string of expletives. The incident was spotted by Akhtaruddin, the third umpire, who then reported it to Raja.

Townsville teenager Laura Bates and Cairns policewoman Kelly Klibbe will bolster the Konica Minolta Queensland Fire team for their must-win Women’ National Cricket League series against the Western Fury at Allan Border Field this weekend.The regional duo were named today in a 14-player squad for the weekend matches, with Queensland’s hopes of featuring in the Finals this season hinging on a clean-sweep against the Fury.Bates, 18, will make her Queensland debut if she plays while Klibbe, a Queensland regular since 1997-98, will make her first appearance this season after being transferred to Cairns earlier this year.Bates, a right-arm off-spinner, was an Australian U-17 honour selection last season.Both players are members of the Queensland Academy of Sport regional program.The Fury produced a major upset last weekend when they defeated defending champions Victoria in Melbourne by two wickets.Former Queensland pace bowler Cindy Kross, who shifted to Perth in the off-season, will make her return to Brisbane with the Fury, which are captained by former Australian player Zoe Goss.Kross played 38 matches for the Fire, taking 39 wickets at 21.54, and winning the player of the year award two years ago.Both one-day games start at 10am, with admission free.Konica Minolta Queensland Fire v Western Fury, Allan Border Field, Sat,Sun: Melissa Bulow (Captain), Laura Bates, Reanna Browne, Tricia Brown, Sally Cooper, Kelly Klibbe, Renee Lee, Belinda Matheson, Kirsten Pike, Julia Price, Jodie Purves, Leteysha Randall, Rikki-Lee Rimmington, Megan White.

Bracken had Sehwag’s number © Getty Images

Nathan Bracken’s repeated success against Virender Sehwag in the recent TVS Cup could see him get the nod ahead of Brad Williams when Australia play the first Test against India at Brisbane.Bracken, with his left-arm seam angling across a hesitant Sehwag, took eight wickets in three games against India at an average of 12.12, and he claimed Sehwag all three times, conceding just four in the 12 balls he bowled to him.”It must be pretty tight between Nathan and Brad,” Adam Gilchrist said. “They both bowled exceptionally well over in India. Williams did a good job in the Test match he played, but Nathan is another option for us as a left-armer. It’s going to be difficult to choose between them.”The pleasing thing about the series we just played is that guys like Nathan and Brad are not just filling in when they get their opportunities, they’re putting pressure on all the time,” Gilchrist added. “Whoever does play, if they do well, it’s then a real challenge for guys who are out to come back in.”The other big selection riddle for Australia concerns the No. 6 slot, recently vacated by an injured Darren Lehmann. Australia will have to choose between Simon Katich and Martin Love, both of whom have done well this season. “They both offer so much in their own individual ways,” said Gilchrist. “Again, it’s a very tough selection decision, but it’s a great position for us to be in, to have options like these.”Gilchrist called India “potentially our biggest challenge,” based on the make-up of the team, and said: “Their batting line-up is on par with any in the world, really, including ours. They’ve got new young tearaway quicks who are pretty aggressive, which is not their traditional way, and of course they’ve got fantastic spinners. It will be crucial how much momentum they are allowed to build up. We’ll be chasing that early momentum.”

The Tasmanian Selectors have today announced the Cascade Tasmanian Tigers team to play the Queensland Bulls in the ING Cup Twighlight match at the Bellerive Oval in on Monday 26th January 2004.

CASCADE TASMANIAN TIGERS
Daniel MARSH (Captain)
Shane WATSON (Vice-Captain)
Xavier DOHERTY
George BAILEY
Michael DIGHTON
Michael DiVENUTO
Sean CLINGELEFFER
Damien WRIGHT
Shannon TUBB
Adam GRIFFITH
Luke BUTTERWORTH
Scott KREMERSKOTHEN

The 12th man will be named on the morning of the match.Selectors have made two changes to the team that played in Adelaide on 9th January.Michael DiVenuto returns to the team after injury and Luke Butterworth will make his debut for the Tigers.Travis Birt and Gerard Denton have been omitted.Butterworth (20 years of age), a Rookie contracted all-rounder from the Glenorchy Cricket Club makes his debut for the Tigers. Luke was a full time scholar at the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy in 2003 and has represented Tasmania at an Under 19 level and in the Cricket Australia Cup over the past two seasons.The Tasmanian Cricket Association would like to remind Patrons and Media this will be a twighlight match and play will commence at 12 noon with gates open at 11.00 am.During the match patrons will have the chance to win a set of keys to the Ford Focus competition by supporting the Tigers and bringing their entry form from the Mercury Newspaper and placing it in the entry box provided at the ground.

Welcome to the return of Beyond the Test World, Wisden Cricinfo’s regular update of news from the non-Test nations. This will normally be a smorgasbord from around the globe – but as a one-off this one features chats with five of the captains from the recent ICC Six Nations tournament, in which the USA edged out Scotland by 0.028 on net run rate to earn the final place in the Champions Trophy in September:

Holland’s captain Luuk van Troost: “We could close the gap on Kenya and Bangladesh”© Getty Images

United States captain Richard Staple
What’s been the reaction to your team qualifying?
Joy and happiness. This win has done a lot for cricket here judging by the response. It’s getting out that we won the tournament, and the awareness is much greater now.What sort of feedback have you had from the non-cricket community?
We’ve received some calls from politicians. It’s an election year. That’s always good for publicity, bringing the game into the public forum.How much preparation was there before the tournament?
We had a camp in Florida as most of our players are from the north-east. Mostly net sessions – we didn’t play for months. We had Faoud [Bacchus] as well as a few guys who live in Florida, like the former West Indian player Hamesh Anthony, assisting.Did you have any idea how quickly you had to win the last match to finishahead of Scotland?
About three-quarters of the way into the game we worked out we were going to have to win with two overs to spare.The batting was your strength – did you bank on that knowing the bowling would concede some runs?
Definitely. The wickets were batting tracks and we backed ourselves to bat second as we chase pretty well. We knew our bowling wasn’t as strong.In the build-up to the Champions Trophy, will you be looking for some more bowlers?
Yes, we have some good young fast bowlers. They were overlooked – I don’t know why, to be quite honest. There is a young boy named Imran Awan in Washington DC. He’s about the quickest we have in the country. and I think we are going to have to encourage young talent like him because our bowling attack is ageing. We have a lot of cricket prior to the Champions Trophy, so hopefully we can get a few young ones in.What was different about this squad to previous ones?
Clayton [Lambert] adds professionalism [which was] lacking in the previous sides. Normally, we would lose one or two wickets and then panic when chasing around 240. He keeps his cool, and allows the other players to play with a certain amount of relaxation.Should the ICC schedule more tournaments for the top six or so non-Test countries?
Yes. That would be great. We have been too inactive. We play a tournament and then don’t play for some time. Against teams like Holland, Scotland and Namibia, we can only improve.Scotland’s captain Craig Wright
In the last couple of overs, did you know how long you needed to delay the American win?
We knew roughly, with people doing frantic calculations – we knew another over would help us. We weren’t sure whether the US knew until the guy whacked a four.The USA bowling had been going for around five an over before their game against Scotland – but their spinners seemed to trouble you?
I think the wicket we played on had certainly been used a few times, and it was possibly a little bit tired. It was slow and possibly wasn’t as easy to bat on as earlier in the week. That’s not to say it was a poor wicket. Our top-order batters seemed to struggle to get the seamers away, and then when the spinners came on it was spinning and we lost five or six mid-innings wickets. When we bowled we had them in a bit of bother through the seamers, and one or two of their batters struggled. It was only when Lambert came in and started playing in a slightly unorthodox fashion that their run-rate increased.What were the positives for Scotland?
The bowling – I think we could argue we were the strongest bowling line-up throughout the tournament, apart from the Holland game, where we bowled quite a few extras. We kept teams to under 200 at Sharjah, particularly the UAE, which was a fantastic effort. The bowling was good and the fielding pretty reasonable.Was this the toughest non-Test tournament you’ve played in?
Yes, the standard was good given the conditions, and teams were evenly matched. We’re just disappointed we didn’t show we were the best team thereShould the ICC schedule more tournaments involving the best six or so non-Test countries?
Without a doubt. It was fantastic to play against teams of our own level. We’re in a fortunate position with the National League in England, but for the other countries to get exposed to good competition at their own level is really valuable. It would certainly be more helpful than to play these countries every two-three years. It gives a good gauge of whether you’re progressingNamibia’s captain Deon Kotze
Rather like Scotland, there was a bit of “What might have been” about Namibia – only 160 to chase against Scotland, and then three very good wins …
I think we can probably accept the loss against Scotland more easily than the one against the USA. Although 160 doesn’t sound like a lot, it would have been a winning score in just about every match played on Dubai I. We certainly should have batted a lot better than we did, but 160 was always going to be quite competitive. Looking at our bowling performances in the rest of the tournament, it makes it even more frustrating that we chose the first day against USA to put in one of our worst bowling performances of the last few seasons.Only four fifties for Namibia in the tournament – does that sum it up?
It definitely sums it up – a few guys actually got starts just to get out softly when they really needed to knuckle down and make a big one. I’m not sure enough guys were willing to change their games according to the conditions, and therefore got out playing quick-wicket shots.Clayton Lambert was undoubtedly the tournament’s batting star. Who were the next-best out of the opposing teams?
Both Gavin Hamilton and Dougie Brown brought real professionalism to the Scottish batting line-up. They showed how to guts it out even when scoring was tough and not throw their wickets away. Steve Massiah from the USA also had a very good tournament.Five teams were only separated by a fraction of a run to decide the winner. Who were the best team you played against?
I thought Scotland were the most professional, while the Dutch were as steady as ever without being spectacular.Holland’s captain Luuk van Troost
In the last game against the UAE you must have been confident you could defend 290?
Very confident. Our bowling had been very steady during the tournament, so I had no doubts at all. I was very happy with 290, although we should have scored 320 on a flat wicket.So what happened?
I don’t know, but we didn’t bowl the right line and length at all. They got off to a flyer and it never looked like we were in the game. All we needed were two bowlers who completed their overs for less than 40 runs. We really missed a bowler like Roland Lefebvre.Was this the toughest competition the team has played in at non-Test level? If so, why?
Yes – and it’s because the gap between the countries was very close and you had to win to qualify. During the ICC Trophy we “only” had to finish in the top three. That was much easier.What areas of the team performance were you happy with?
We have a fantastic team spirit, and I’m very happy with our batting. We struggled in the last couple of years, but players like Daan van Bunge and Daron Reekers did really well. Daron’s a great player and a fantastic character.And what areas were you not happy with?
Obviously our bowling – I think we had the most runs scored against us. Also our fitness must be better. We are not used to playing five games in seven days in tough conditions. We worked very hard during our winter to improve our fitness, but we can do a lot better there.Should there be more tournaments of this type at non-Test level?
That would be fantastic. What we miss at the moment are more matches on this level. If so, I’m confident that we can close the gap with countries like Kenya and Bangladesh quite quickly. Scotland are playing in the English one-day competition – we deserve that as well – it would really help us.Canada’s captain Joe Harris
Your team was weakened by absenteeism for various reasons – was that the main reason for your poor results?
Obviously having those fellows around would have made a difference, but the main problem is we lack confidence and proper preparation. There aren’t proper resources available to the players to work on their game.Which aspect of the Canadian performance were you most happy with?
I was very happy with our bowling. I believe we were the only side not to have over 250 scored against us – unfortunately we could not chase the smaller targets.Which aspect were you least happy with?
The batting, obviously, and the preparation. There seemed to be no planning, and we moved around aimlessly. Canada really needs to look at the type of resources required to build a good side. I think they have the talent but lack guidance.Thanks to all the captains for their time (the UAE’s Khuram Khan was unavailable for business reasons). Beyond the Test World would love to include news from any country outside the Test sphere. Please e-mail Tony Munro at [email protected] with your news.

Yuvraj Singh and Umar Gul, the stars of the show, spoke to the media after the first day’s play at Lahore.

Yuvraj Singh: got an opportunity, and made it count© AFP

Yuvraj SinghOn what he was thinking when India were 147 for 7
We had lost wickets and I was under a bit of pressure. I just wanted to stay till the end, till the last wicket fell. Irfan [Pathan] batted well and we were able to stay around at the wicket.On the fact that he might be dropped for the next Test, despite his century, when Ganguly returns
I’m not concerned about that. All I want to do is perform and get runs in whatever cricket I get a chance to play. I don’t care about that [being left out].On the pitch
There was a bit in the wicket for the bowlers. But we didn’t bat as well as we should have either. Still, we have got decent runs on the board and that gives us a chance to try and get them out.On the aggressive manner in which he batted
I knew that I would get runs if I played my shots. There’s no point getting out, going back to the dressing-room and then wondering if you should have played more positively. I just wanted to play the bowling on merit. In Tests there’s more time to settle down, and I took time to do that. But in the end you have to play your natural game.On what this innings means to him
This innings gave me a lot of confidence. I now have the confidence that I can do well in Test cricket also.On what he told Pathan when the two batted together
I told him that he is a good batsman and that he should bat carefully. I told him to just watch the ball and play straight. He has done well in the past and I just wanted him to hang around with me.

Umar Gul: a pretty good day at the office© AFP

Umar GulOn his top-order wickets today
I didn’t really think about the batsmen I was bowling to. It wasn’t like I thought `I am bowling to Sachin [Tendulkar] or [Rahul] Dravid.’ I had the same feeling when I was bowling to all of them.On the advice he received from the team management
Inzamam-ul-Haq and Javed Miandad have both worked very hard with me on my bowling. They stressed that I bowl a consistent wicket-to-wicket line and it paid dividends.On the pitch
I knew it would be a seaming one and I thought I could do well on it. I didn’t really think that I would perform as well as I eventually did.On playing against India
I wasn’t tense or nervous at all. Everyone in the squad had been told that there was a chance that they could be involved in the Test a couple of nights ago, so I prepared as if I would play. I only found out this morning that I was playing.On his absence from the field after his spell
I am okay. I was just suffering from some cramps because I hadn’t been drinking enough water through my spell, but I am fine now.On his physical fitness
It really changed on the tour to New Zealand [in 2003-04]. I played in the first Test there but sat out for the remaining games. But the team doctors made it a point to work very hard on the players who weren’t in the playing XI. They worked very hard on our physical training and strength and I have really benefited from that tour.

Ian Botham: says it’s time for someone else to have a go in England’s middle order© Getty Images

Ian Botham, the former England allrounder and now TV commentator, has called for Nasser Hussain to be axed from international cricket to let the younger players come through.Talking on BBC Five Live, Botham said, “It’s easier for someone to settle down with [Graham] Thorpe and [Mark] Butcher than if you lose three senior players simultaneously.” He continued, “If Thorpe, Butcher and Hussain choose to leave suddenly, then it’s very difficult for youngsters to come in. We should adopt the Australians’ approach and say, ‘Thanks a lot Nas, but now we’ve got to go forward’.”Hussain, 36, captained England in 45 Test matches between 1999 and 2003, and, along with Duncan Fletcher, was widely regarded as moving the side in the right direction.Having played 95 Tests, he has made it no secret he wants to make the 100 mark, and on England’s recent tour of the West Indies, he helped his side to a 3-0 win by scoring 197 runs at an average of 32.83. However Botham, never shy to air his views, believes the selectors should start looking ahead to the 2005 Ashes series, and that means no more Nasser.”Our target has to be the Australians and I don’t see Nasser playing a part against the Australians,” Botham added. “Despite everything he’s done for us, I think it’s time now for a [Andrew] Strauss, a [Paul] Collingwood or whoever to come in to that middle order.”