On this day: July 15 Down the Years

Journey Through Cricket History: Memorable Events on July 15

1938: Arthur Fagg’s Unprecedented Feat

On July 15, 1938, Arthur Fagg, a 23-year-old cricketer from Kent, made history by becoming the first player to score two double centuries in a single first-class match. He achieved 202 not out in just under three hours against Essex in Colchester, having already amassed a five-hour 244 on the first day, including a century before lunch. Remarkably, this milestone came less than 18 months after he had returned early from an Australian tour due to rheumatic fever, which kept him out for the entire 1937 season. Fagg remains one of only two cricketers to achieve this incredible feat, with Angelo Perera of Sri Lanka joining him in February 2019, scoring 201 and 231 in a match against the Sinhalese Sports Club.

1995: Aravinda de Silva’s Masterclass

In the 1995 Benson & Hedges Cup final, Aravinda de Silva delivered an innings of stunning brilliance. Despite Kent always being on the back foot against Lancashire, de Silva dazzled with 112 runs off 95 balls, including three sixes and eleven fours. Although Kent lost by 35 runs, de Silva's performance was so outstanding that he became the first player on a losing side to win the Gold Award in a B&H final, nearly moving spectators to tears with the purity of his play.

1977: The Rise of Andre Nel

July 15, 1977, marks the birth of Andre Nel, a powerful fast bowler whose aggressive style and disciplinary issues marked his career. Despite his tumultuous early years, he solidified his place in the South African Test team during the 2003-04 series against the West Indies. Nel's standout performances came on the 2005 tour of Australia, where he claimed 14 wickets. However, as South Africa's young pace attack, led by Dale Steyn, took precedence, Nel retired from international cricket in March 2009.

1950: Alan Hurst’s Remarkable Comeback

Victorian fast bowler Alan Hurst, born on this day in 1950, overcame early injury setbacks to establish himself in the late 1970s. After a modest debut in 1973-74 against New Zealand, Hurst returned to prominence in a weakened Australian side during the 1978-79 Ashes series, taking 25 wickets across six Tests. His stellar performance continued as he decimated Pakistan with nine wickets in Perth.

1977: David Hussey’s Rise to Fame

David Hussey, born on July 15, 1977, had to toil in domestic cricket before gaining recognition. He made his T20 debut in early 2008 and became a surprise hit in the IPL, fetching $625,000 from Kolkata. Hussey's one-day international career started with three half-centuries in five innings, and he scored his first century against Scotland in 2009.

1939: Haseeb Ahsan’s Modest Returns

Born on this day in 1939, Pakistani off spinner Haseeb Ahsan had a brief Test career, taking 27 wickets in 12 matches. His best performance came in Madras in 1960-61, where he claimed six wickets despite India’s imposing total. Ahsan avoided bowling in England fearing accusations of throwing, but later served as Pakistan’s tour manager and an influential selector.

1850: John Wisden’s Historic Achievement

July 15, 1850, saw John Wisden make history by bowling out all ten batsmen in an innings during a match between North and South at Lord's, the only instance of an all-bowled ten-for in a first-class match. In total, 30 wickets fell, with 25 bowled and three run out.

1856: South Africa’s First Captain

Born on July 15, 1856, Owen Dunell captained South Africa in their first two Tests against England in 1888-89. He played as a batter in the second match and passed away in France in 1929.

1989: A Thrilling B&H Final

The final ball of the 1989 Benson & Hedges final saw Nottinghamshire needing four runs to win against Essex. John Lever bowled to Eddie Hemmings, who managed to secure the winning boundary, delivering a memorable three-wicket victory and avenging a previous loss to Essex in the NatWest Trophy final four years earlier.

1901: The Birth of Crusoe

Raymond Robertson-Glasgow, born on July 15, 1901, was a notable cricket writer and fast bowler for Oxford University and Somerset. Known for his humour-infused writings, he became a prominent cricket correspondent and authored several well-loved books on the game.

1984: The Leader of Afghanistan Cricket

Nawroz Mangal, born on this day in 1984, captained Afghanistan through significant milestones, including gaining ODI status and qualifying for the 2010 World T20. He scored his first ODI century in 2013 and retired from international cricket in 2017 to become the national chief selector.

Other Notable Birthdays

- 1909: John Cochran (South Africa)

- 1955: Sunil Jayasinghe (Sri Lanka)

- 1956: Harold Joseph (West Indies)

- 1960: Gary Robertson (New Zealand)

- 1976: Dinuka Hettiarachchi (Sri Lanka)

- 1977: Caitriona Beggs (Ireland)

Explore these captivating cricketing moments and discover the rich history and remarkable achievements that make July 15 a special day in the world of cricket.