Only batters with a World Cup century on their birthday
Scoring a century in any particular format is always a remarkable and extraordinary moment for any cricketer playing this beautiful sport. Reaching the three-figure mark is a special achievement for a player but it becomes even more exceptional when it comes on their special day. The happiness of celebrating a birthday comes only once a year and to hit a ton on that day that too even in a marquee tournament like the World Cup is something more spectacular. Only three players have managed to grab this feat and they feature in this article.
Let’s take a look at the three batters with a hundred on their Birthday in the Men’s ODI World Cup:
1) Ross Taylor
Ross Taylor is the first player to smash a century on a birthday in the history of World Cups. The right-handed player achieved the landmark against Pakistan in 2011. Skipper Daniel Vettori won the toss and the Kiwis elected to bat first in Match No. 24 in Pallekele. At the score of 55, New Zealand lost their second wicket, and in came Taylor at no. four. Even luck favoured him on his birthday as he was dropped by Kamran Akmal off the bowling of speedster Shoaib Akhtar.
He then made the Pakistanis pay big time as he went to hammer an unbeaten 131 off 124, which included eight fours and seven towering maximums. The match is well and truly remembered for Taylor smacking two fours and three sixes against Akhtar in the 47th over and again two fours and three sixes against Abdul Razzaq in the 49th over. Courtesy of his special knock, New Zealand posted a big total of 302/7 on the board eventually winning the encounter by 110 runs. Taylor was adjudged with the Player of the Match award for his splendid ton on his Birthday.
2) Mitchell Marsh
Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is the second name on this elite list. The tall right-handed batter achieved the feat against Pakistan in the ongoing edition of the World Cup. Skipper Babar Azam won the toss and Pakistan elected to field first in Match No. 18 at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. The Aussies came out all guns
blazing as David Warner and Marsh added 259 runs for the opening wicket. The former smashed 163 off 124 while Marsh slammed his career-best score of 121 off 108. He smashed ten fours and nine monstrous maximums at a strike rate of 112.04. Born in Perth in 1991, Marsh brought up his second century in one-day international format. The destructive batter also has 18 half-centuries to his name in this format. In the end, it turned out to be a double joy for him as his side won the contest by a margin of 62 runs. Though Warner won the Player of the Match award, Marsh gave solid support to Warner as the duo laid the platform for a big total for their side.
3) Virat Kohli
Star India batter Virat Kohli is the third and last name in this chart. The right-handed player achieved the special feat against South Africa in the ongoing 2023 World Cup. Kohli, who turned 35, played an unbeaten knock of 101 off 121 which included ten fours at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata. Skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first. In the sixth over, India lost Rohit, and in came Kohli on his birthday.
The Delhi-born player held the innings together like he always does. It became an even more special occasion as he equaled Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 centuries in one-day internationals. Kohli is now joint-top with Tendulkar for smashing the most hundred in the 50-over format. Courtesy of his knock, team India posted a big total of 326/5 on the board in their allotted 50 overs. For his innings, Kohli also grabbed the Player of the Match award. It was a night that the 35-year-old will never forget as he also managed to equal his idol’s world record.
