History of March 20

Born on this day were: 

Charles Thornton (1850-1929), English all-rounder who played for Kent, Middlesex and Cambridge University and is best remembered as the man responsible for the founding of the Scarborough Festival in 1873 and making it an annual event;

Madan Lal (Sharma) (1951-), Indian medium-pace bowler who was Kapil’s new-ball partner in his 3 for 31 in the World Cup final at Lord’s in 1983;

Karen Smithies (1969-), English all-rounder who lifted the Women’s World Cup trophy after England beat New Zealand in the final at Lord’s in 1993;

Nicky Boje (1973-), South African off-spinner who was involved in the match fixing controversy ;and

Tamim Iqbal (1989-) Bangladesh opener.
In 1751 Frederick, the Prince of Wales, died from injuries received while playing cricket. A blow from a ball when playing cricket caused an abscess, which ultimately led to his death. He was an early patron of the game and led Surrey in various matches from 1753 onwards, wagering bets on the results.

In 1965 Srinivas Venkataraghavan, took 8 for 72 against New Zealand in the fourth Test at Delhi. This was only the fourth Test of his career, but the four wickets he nabbed in the second innings gave him the only ten-wicket haul in a Test career that spanned another 54 matches and 18 years. He bowled 122.3 overs including 56 maidens in the match.


In 1982 Richie Richardson, made his first-class debut for Leeward Islands against Barbados. On the same day Rodney Marsh became the first wicket-keeper to make 300 Test dismissals when he caught Martin Crowe (his 88th catch off the bowling of Dennis Lillee) on the second day of the third Test against Australia at Christchurch. In what is an amazing record he kept wickets to every single delivery bowled by Lillee in Test cricket.

In 1987 India (212 for 6) and Pakistan (212 for 7) played the second tied match in ODIs at the Lal bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad (India). Both teams were tied at 212 but India were awarded the match as they had lost one wicket less.



In 2000 Zimbabwe needing only 99 to win the first Test at Trinidad against the West Indies collapsed from 47 for 3 to 63 all out, their lowest Test total. Ambrose took 3 for 8 (off 11 overs), and Franklyn Roes 4 for 19.

In 2003 Kenya’s astonishing World Cup run finally came to an end at the semi-final stage, as India triumphed by 91 runs at Kingsmead. Sourav Ganguly’s unbeaten 111 was the highlight, and India’s total 270 for 4 was never realistically challenged.