On This Day

[The Professor]

On this day in 2015 Australia's bowlers lead them to victory over England in the final ODI.

Mitchell Marsh and John Hastings combined well to bag seven of the nine wickets claimed by Australia. Jason Roy had a busy opening over. First ruled out which he successfully reviewed and then walking to a delivery that, if he had reviewed would have been successful. This meant that Roy achieved 4 runs - a feat that Hales matched. When James Taylor was dismissed, England were 22 for 3. Hastings claimed both the latter wickets.

Marsh then had a spell of three back to back lbws - claiming Jonny Bairstow, David Willey and Ben Stokes. Stokes would have been the most disappointed with his dismissal - coming, as it did, on the cusp of his half century and after an impressive display. He left England on 85 for 7. Hastings returned to claim Mark Wood for his last wicket.

The unlikely pairing of Adil Rashid and Reece Topley put together a combative 32, the second best partnership of the innings and hauled England to a tepid 138. Rashid finished unbeaten on 35; Topley was the last man out, lbw to Ashton Agar for 6. Hastings finished with 3 for 21 from his ten overs and Marsh picked up 4 for 27

The disappointing result was made even worse by the fact that Eoin Morgan had to be taken to hospital for scans after being struck on the helmet.

In the chase it was another Aussie pair, this time Aaron Finch and George Bailey, who led Australia onwards. It could have been more complicated had England capitalised on their good start. Joe Burns edged Willey behind for a duck, and Steven Smith edged behind off Mark Wood for 12 - but this just brought together the strongest partnership of Australia's innings. Finch struck an unbeaten 70 from 64 balls, and Bailey ended up not out on 41 from 45 deliveries. The game was wound up after just 24.2 overs adding to the mere 33 overs in England's overs.

[The Professor]

On this day in 2015 Hampshire grip on to try and retain their Division One status on Day One of their game against Yorkshire.

County Champions Yorkshire are a team that are on the other end of the table to Hampshire - and their cricketing style is of a very different genre. Hampshire's batting today was tenacious and gritty but not pretty. They compiled 219 runs for the loss of four wickets in 78 overs. Hampshire have the, relative, luxury of being able to play for a draw in this game. The other relegation threatened neighbours, Somerset and Sussex, are facing off against each other so Hampshire can risk drawing with the country's best team and then going big in the final fixture. A win would be even better.

Their innings was characterised by some patient slow hitting from Jimmy Adams (52 off 157 balls) and then ended by a late surge from Sean Ervine where he bagged 26 from 25 balls and stands undefeated at the end of the day. Peppered around, there were some strong partnerships - the opening one of Adams and Michael Carberry was worth 74 and the fourth wicket partnership between Will Smith and Liam Dawson was worth 72.

A very young looking Yorkshire bowling attack were getting frustrated as Hampshire did what County teams have been struggling with all season - making Yorkshire play their game.

Rain ended play and much more is forecast over the next four days.

[The Professor]

On this day in 2015 Hampshire upped their gears to show a true potential they have not shown for some time.

Hampshire impressed with both bat and ball on Day Two against champions Yorkshire to give themselves a much better footing for survival.

The first star of the day was Liam Dawson who reached his century with aplomb and a speed that seemed unnatural for a number five batsman in a Test match. His contribution was the trunk of the tree that grew to the side's total of 400 - something that looked a far cry at 219 for 4 and the majority of the morning session washed out. Dawson's contribution was something out of an about face for a batsmen who had been loaned to Essex earlier in the season and hasn't scored a tonne in two seasons. Dawson did not last until the bonus point winning figure of 400; caught by James Middlebrook for 140 with Hampshire on 374. James Vince declared on 400 to give Hampshire a run at the champions.

And run they did. By the end of the day's play the second and third Hampshire heroes had come to the fore; Fidel Edwards and Ryan McLaren. McClaren got two wickets and Edwards bowled tightly and economically and returned with one wicket. By the end of the day's play Hampshire had removed 4 top order Yorkshire batsmen for very little. Yorkshire stood on 82/4.

[The Professor]

On this day in 2015 very little play was possible on Day Three of Hampshire v Yorkshire.

Yorkshire only managed to add a further 14 runs to their total and ended the day on. This took Yorkshire to 97/4...


and that is the shortest one of these I've ever done

[The Professor]

On this day in 2015 an unusual day's play sees Yorkshire defeat Hampshire

Andrew Gale risked it all and was the one that came up trumps in a highly unusual gamble on Day Four of this match. James Vince's bravery did not pay off. Hampshire had offered Yorkshire the chance to chase 304 in 96 overs, hoping to trade the possibility of a further seven points for 16 for the win. This ploy did not work and despite Hampshire being dominant in this game they have to wear a crucial loss at a crucial time. On the other hand, Yorkshire claimed the record for most points in a season - risky contenders with which to take a gamble.

All seemed to be going so well when Hampshire took three early wickets. Adam Lyth started well but tried to go hard too soon. It was Alex Lees first out, however, bowled by Fidel Edwards as he tried to match Lyth's tempo. It was a spectacular run out that saw the end of Lyth. It seemed impossible that Jimmy Adams would reach the ball sliced through midwicket and unlikely that he would break the stumps. He did both. When Gary Ballance was caught behind on 17, Yorkshire were 37-3.

Despite this Yorkshire's strength is in their depth. Even Gale seemed to be living a blessed life. A shout for lbw and a dropped catch before he reached thirty five must have had both captain's hearts racing. The partnership of Gale and Jack Leaning rumbled on and broke Hampshire hearts. By the time it was broken Yorkshire had accrued 227.

Gale did not carry his bat and fell on 125 with forty more runs to get - leaving Tim Bresnan and Andrew Hodd to finish the job.

Ironically Yorkshire can go on to do a big favour for Hampshire when they face off against Sussex in the final match of the season. A big win for the champions there and a big win for Hampshire against Nottinghamshire seems the likeliest road to survival.

[The Professor]

On this day in 2012 the two Mendises lead Sri Lanka to a big win over Zimbabwe to open the T20 World Cup.

It was a batting Mendis that impressed first of all. Jeevan Mendis' 43 alongside Kumar Sangakarra's 44 marked the most imposing partnership of the match. He also returned to haunt the Zimbabweans with three wickets of his own.

Zimbabwe's bowling was probably the best of the three disciplines but they still could not limit the Sri Lankan's total. Oftentimes the Zimbabwean bowlers were let down by their fielders - twice in the first four overs, fielders blessed the batsmen with another life. Dilshan Munaweera and Tillakaratne Dilshan continued to live blessed lives as the game continued - both having mistakes not capitalised on. Finally in the seventh over Munaweera was run out at the second time of asking.

A cluster of wickets then ensued. Mahela Jayawardene was also run out for 13 and then Dilshan was caught off the bowling of Graeme Cremer. Sri Lanka were 82-3. Zimbabwe then set about trying to limit the Sri Lankans - and did so for a period of time. When Jeevan Mendis found his feet the Zimbabwean bowlers looked feckless. Mendis was far more aggressive than Sangakarra and the two acted as a good counter balance to each other. They were both undefeated - and Sri Lanka ended on 182.

Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda started brightly with a partnership of 37. Then Ajantha Mendis was brought on. Ajantha Mendis bagged three wickets in each of his spells and his experience clearly got the better of Zimbabwe. In his first spell he took both openers and Brendan Taylor, rendering Zimbabwe 43-3. At the halfway point Zimbabwe were 59-5 and all hung out to dry. When Ajantha Mendis returned for that second spell it was all over. Zimbabwe only just crept into triple figures.

[The Professor]

On this day in 1859 multi-talented sportsman and educator William Littlejohn was born.

Littlejohn was born to a humble watchmaker and his wife but went on to study mathematics, science and classics at Aberdeen Grammar School. It was not only his poverty that proved an impede the to his success, but also his eyesight which was very poor.

His teachers assumed he had a calling to God however he felt he could not give himself to the ministry due to his beliefs regarding evolution. Instead Littlejohn went into teaching. He taught in Scotland until 1881 before he moved to New Zealand. He set up home in Nelson where he lived for 6 years. He was a well loved teacher and coach of both the rugby and cricket teams.

Two defining moments in his life happened in 1885. His childhood sweetheart, Jean Berry, joined him in New Zealand and he made two appereances for Nelson Cricket Club. He scored eight runs across three innings.

In 1898 Littlejohn was made headteacher of the school, turning it into a thriving and popular school that had a very competent sporting output. He poured his life and soul into the improvements of the school. This took it's toll in 1911 when he was declared blind. He became an increasingly eccentric but no less well loved figure on the school site as he continued his services to education.

Many thought his rigorous adherence to testing was draconian however he did have a softer side and turned a lot of the running of the school over to the boys. Come the war, Littlejohn was evangelical regarding conscription.

Littlejohn committed the rest of his life to education and died at the school in 1933.

[The Professor]

On this day in 1990 West Indian cricketer George Allen was born.

Allen was in no rush to get his professional career started. He made his debut at 21 but didn't make another First Class appearance for a further two years. In the year after that he made only three more appearance's. In total, Allen played nine first-class matches in two years. His only foray with international selection was a game against the Leeward Islanders v New Zealanders

After his time with the Leeward Islanders, Allen played for Montserrat until 1981 where he retired aged 42.

In those 9 games he played, he scored 179 runs at an average of 25.57, with a high score of 53 in that game against the New Zealanders. Allen could also bowl a bit. With the ball, he took 10 wickets at a bowling average of 25.20, with best figures of 3/37.

[The Professor]

On this day in 1901 West Indian cricketer and politician Learie Constantine was born.

Learie Constantine, the Nelson cricketer, born in Diego Martin in Trinidad and Tobago. He worked in a solicitor's office before beginning his career in cricket.

A dashing all-rounder Constantine, at his peak, was a mercurial bowler of genuine pace, an athletic fielder and a flashing stroke player capable of tearing any attack to shreds on his day.

He made his debut while touring England in 1928. The following year Constantine moved to England and joined the Nelson team in the Lancashire Cricket League. In the days before West Indians were seen in County Cricket, Constantine became a legend in the highly competitive Lancashire leagues where his deeds and demeanour are remembered to this day.

Against England in 1930, Constantine bowled West Indies to their first win in a Test match.

In 1933 he published his first book 'Cricket and I' wiith his friend CLR James. He went on to play an important role for West Indies, winning the series against England.

He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1940.

During World War Two Constantine worked as a welfare officer for the Ministry of Labourbased in Liverpool. His main responsibility was to help West Indian immigrants find employment and accommodation in Britain.

In 1943 he travelled to London to play for the Dominions team against an England XI at Lord's. He and his family had a reservation to stay at the Imperial Hotel in Russell Square, London. He was reassured that he and his family were welcomed and would be treated with the utmost respect. This was not the case. When they arrive at the Imperial Hotel, they were informed they could stay one night and no more on account of complaints about their presence made by white US servicemen who were also staying at the hotel. They were treated as outcasts and Constantine was outraged. Constantine brought a civil action against the hotel for breach of contract. The judge who heard the case was sympathetic to Constantine and his family, accepting the evidence brought by Constantine and his legal team. He rejected the evidence of the Imperial Hotel that they showed no discrimination based on Constantine's skin colour. Constantine was awarded £5000 in damages however the ruling did not end the colour bar in British hotels and other public establishments. Constantine later wrote 'Colour Bar' in 1954. The book dealt with racial prejudice in Britain.

Constantine and his wife, Norma, whom he had married in Trinidad in 1927 moved to London in 1949 where he made a living as a journalist and broadcaster while studying law. He gained entrance to the English Bar in 1954.

Later he returned to Trinidad and Tobago where he became involved in politics. A member of the People's National Movement, he was elected to the Legislative Council after winning a seat in the 1956 elections. He served in the government as Minister of Communications, Works and Public Utilities. When the country gained independence in 1962, he became his country's first High Commissioner in London he was knighted in the same year.

In 1964 he resigned but stayed in Britain where he held several important positions; this included being a governor of the BBC and a member of the Race Relations Board and the Sports Council.

In 1967 he was elected Rector of the University of Saint Andrews and in 1969 he became the first person of African descent to be given a life peerage, being created Baron Constantine of Marbel in Trinidad and Tobago and Nelson in the county of Lancaster.

Constantine died of bronchitis in Hampstead, London on the 1st of July 1971.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Interesting OTD 365, on a legendary name. Only played 18 Tests, over ten years in WI formative period, and his cricket ended at WWII at the age of 38. Test batting figures are ordinary, but bowling is ok. I got the impression it was his play in the Lancashire League that made his reputation more than for WI.

[The Professor]

On this day in 1976 Middlesex and Sussex's Chris Batt was born.

Batt's breakthrough season happened in 1997 where he made his debut for Berkshire before playing a solitary County match for Sussex in a pre-season match.

The next season he joined Middlesex where he played sporadically between 1998 and 2000. For someone who played so rarely his figures were are in pretty good shape. In his 12 first-class matches, he scored 177 runs at a batting average of 11.80, with a high score of 43. With the ball he took 37 wickets at a bowling average of 29.51, with 2 five wicket hauls and best figures of 6/101 which he achieved on his Middlesex debut.

He was released by Middlesex at the end of the 1999-2000 season and returned to Berkshire. He only played a further 4 games for Berkshire before he found himself not being selected there.

After a four year break from cricket, Batt joined Buckinghamshire where he played his most consistent cricket.

Whilst never retiring he has not played at any level since 2006 ....and at the age of 40 his comeback seems unlikely.

[The Professor]

On this day in 2012 India handed England a thrashing in the T20 World Cup.

Despite the fact that the game was a dead rubber – India’s morale would have been given a huge shot from the manner and margin of victory over the English. The main cause of the victory was the way that India’s spin exposed the English batsmen. In contrast England dropped one of their spinners, Samit Patel, in place of Tim Bresnan. The selection of Bresnan had no effect on the Indian batsmen who treated the English bowlers with disdain. They played intelligently and showed they knew what to do against everything that England could throw at them.

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir’s partnership of 57 took India from 24-1 to a more comfortable 81-2. However Graeme Swann started to limit the runs and then finally bagged the wicket of Kohli for 40 – both he and Gambir had made the rest of the bowlers look like easy pickings. Swann nearly picked up the wicket of Gambhir too if it were not for a grassed catch from Kieswetter. That could have made the score 80-3 and the chase a tad more manageable. Smith continued to squeeze the batsmen with only 39 runs scored between the 10th and 16th over. Rohit Sharma managed to up the run rate at precisely the right time to push the envelope for India. Accompanied by MS Dhoni – they flicked the ball around with gay abandon and did not have to show much force at all. Eventually Dhoni was caught by Hales off the bowling of Dernbach but Sharma carried his bat for 55. The total of 171 was good accounting for them slowing down as the innings wore on.

In contrast to the Indian batsmen, the English ones got themselves into a tangle against spin. 6 wickets came from spinners and saw England go from 39-2 to 60-9. Already disadvantaged by the loss of Alex Hales in the first over and Luke Wright in the third, the introduction of Harbhajan Singh put the cat amongst the pigeons. His first over was a wicket-maiden – removing Eoin Morgan. Jos Buttler, Tim Bresnan and Swann then followed. Fellow spinner Piyush Chawla got two wickets as well – claiming Jonny Bairstow and Kieswetter.

England were on track for a humiliatingly low score. Steven Finn and Jade Dernbach formed a 20 run final wicket partnership to stave off this humiliation but the total of 80 all out was so far below par that par couldn’t even see it.

[The Professor]

On this day in 1844 the first international team travelled to another country to play a game when Canada played a two day game against the United States of America.

The game had been set for four years previous but after the American team sent a messenger to Canada to establish a game. When the team turned up they were not expected and the messenger was never seen or heard of again. Whilst there they established the game that began on this day.

As is often the case in formative matches such as these the scores were nothing to write home about. The highest score achieved by a Canadian batsman ...in fact three. D Winkworth, George Sharpe and a player known just as Freeling all got to twelves and no further. The rest of the batsmen score in single figures. Sam Wright was the pick of the American bowlers with five wickets from his sixteen overs. The innings was wrapped up in 32 overs.

The American innings wasn't that much better. They still had three players reach double figures but they held them back towards the end. They reached 30-5 before before Robert Timpson put on a staggering 14. William Wild also got 10 and ten came from extras. Two innings were completed in the day with Canada ostensibly 18 runs ahead.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Possibly a good destination for the time machine that one. If a little rugged.

[The Professor]

On this day in 1844 the second day of the match between America and Canada was postponed for bad weather.

In the meantime we can look at the context of the game. The Canadians found themselves exhausted before day one had even got going. The gruelling journey by train and boat had taken it out of them. This was exacerbated by the fact that no food was allowed to be consumed on the train.

The game proved immensely popular with both spectators and gamblers alike. 5000 people attended and $100,000 (the modern day equivalent of $2 million) was stakes on the game.

At this time, strange though it may seem, cricket was America's most popular sports and would remain so until after the Civil War.