1936 - Born this day, Sir Garfield “Garry” Sobers, one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the 19th Century and unarguably the best all-rounder in the history of cricket. He was just 21 years old when he converted his maiden Test century into a gigantic 365 not out against Pakistan. Sobers won the 1966 series in England almost single-handed, scoring three centuries --all in excess of 160-- and a 94, as well as taking 20 wickets with his left-arm bowling. For many years he was a stalwart at Nottinghamshire, and against Glamorgan in Swansea in 1968, he became the first batsman to hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket
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Sir Garry Sobers who was 85 years old on Wednesday, 28 July came to watch the West Indies vs. Australia thirds and decisive ODI on Monday (26) at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, his hometown in Barbados[/caption]
1970 - Birth of the first leg-spinner to play Test cricket for Zimbabwe. Paul Strang won his first cap in 1994-95 and was soon joined in the team by his brother Bryan. The highlight of his career came in Sheikhpura in 1996-97 when he followed an unbeaten century from No. 8 with a five-wicket haul in Pakistan’s reply
1973 - Victory for England in the inaugural women’s World Cup. Enid Bakewell hit 118 out of 279/3 to beat Australia by 92 runs at Edgbaston. Businessman and philanthropist Sir Jack Hayward and women’s cricket promoter and England Captain Rachel Heyhoe-Flint contributed towards its costs. Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, International XI, Young England XI, New Zealand, Australia, and hosts England competed in the tournament
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On 28 July 1973, England Captain Rachel Heyhoe-Flint lifts the inaugural women’s cricket World Cup after beating Australia Women by 92 runs at Edgbaston[/caption]
1996 - Americans Karch Kiraly and Kent Steffes win inaugural beach volleyball gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics. Kiraly is the first to win gold in both indoor and beach events
2012 - Ye Shiwen of China sets world record in the women’s 400 m individual medley (4:28.43) to take the gold medal at the London Olympics
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Ye Shiwen of China who set a world record in the women’s 400 m individual medley to take the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics[/caption]