13 SEPTEMBER
Born on this day were:
Robin Smith (1963-), English batsman who played in 62 Tests and scored 4,236 runs at an average of 43.67 (His 167 not out in only 163 balls, in a ODI against Australia is still the highest ODI score by an English batsman);
Shane Keith Warne (1969-), pre-eminent Australian leg-spinner whose 708 Test wickets are second only to Muralitharan’s 800. He had to miss the 2003 World Cup in South Africa when he tested positive for a banned substance); and
Craig McMillan (1976-), New Zealand all-rounder who held the record of hitting the maximum runs (26) off one over in Test cricket before Lara's 28 off Robin Peterson in December 2003.
In 1977 Arthur Fagg died at Tunbridge Wells, aged 62. The Kent and England opener still holds the unique record of scoring two double centuries in the same first-class match.
In 1983 a fast but fake century. Batting for Lancashire against Liecestershire at Old Trafford, Steve O'Shaughnessy reached three figures in 35 minutes, which equaled the fastest first-class ton, scored by Percy Fender for Surrey against Northants at Northampton in 1920. The Wisden Cricketers' Almanack relegates O'shaughnessy's knock to its 'scored in contrived circumstances' list. He was fed more than his fair share of long hops and full tosses in an attempt to force a result. It did not work: Lancashire refused to declare and the match was drawn.
In 1996 West Indian Phil Simmons scored 171 in 170 balls for Leicestershire against Durham at Chester-le-Street. He had taken 6 for 14 in 9.3 overs the day before to ensure an innings and 251 run win for his side.
In 2007 Indian board launched international 20-over competition, in competition with the “breakaway” Indian Cricket League.
