On this day: Four vibrant cricketers share their birthday
6th August 2020 – the day marks the birthday of four distinct personalities of the cricketing fraternity who are unique in their own way. Each of them has left his imprint on the game.
New Zealand’s swashbuckler – Jesse Ryder
Along with delivering impressive performances for the national side, Jesse Ryder also has had a fair share of controversies. The opener made his debut in the home series against England in 2008 and hogged the limelight with his all-round performance, scoring 196 in five matches. However, his Test debut got delayed after he put his hand through a glass window after a night of heavy drinking.
Ryder’s Test career also had an impressive start as he scored fifties against Bangladesh and the West Indies, followed by Test centuries during India’s tour of New Zealand. However, injuries and behavioural problems have hampered his career over the years, with his last appearance for the Kiwis coming in January 2014. In 18 Tests, 48 ODIs and 22 T20Is, Ryder has scored over 3000 runs for New Zealand.
Fast bowler turned commentator – Simon Doull
Doull grappled with injuries during the course of his career. He represented the Black Caps in 32 Tests and 42 ODIs, scalping 98 and 36 wickets respectively. His best performance came against India in the Boxing Day Wellington Test in 1998 where he registered impressive figures of 7/65. Battling against injuries, Doull played his last Test, against Australia in March 2000 before turning to commentary and broadcasting. He is one of the most renowned cricket analysts in the current setup.
A forgotten spinner – Iqbal Qasim
Former Pakistan international Iqbal Qasim also celebrates his birthday on 6th August. The veteran donned the national jersey in 50 Tests and 15 ODIs from 1976 to 1988. Despite staying in the shadows of leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, Iqbal scalped 171 wickets in his 50 Test matches. Qasim’s average was indeed better than Abdul Qadir.
His most impressive bowling performance came against India in the fifth Test of India-Pakistan series in 1987. Qasim registered figures of 9/121 in the last innings of the Test at Bengaluru, along with scalping the wicket of India’s mainstay Sunil Gavaskar. Pakistan steered to the victory and he played a vital role in their triumph.
India’s spin all-rounder – AG Kripal Singh
AG Kripal Singh hailed from a famous cricket family as his father, brother, two sons as well as a nephew– all played first-class cricket.
Kripal Singh had an impressive start to his career as he scored an unbeaten ton against New Zealand on his debut, which proved to be the only hundred of his career. He also scored two other fifties, including a 53 against a robust West Indies side in 1958-59. He represented India in 14 Tests and scored 422 runs at an average of 28.13 along with scalping 10 wickets.
