Cricket News

On this day in 2007, South Africa recorded only their second ever win in Pakistan, and more importantly it came in Karachi, where Pakistan had lost just once in 39 Tests held previously.

This test match also saw Mark Boucher became the most successful wicketkeeper in Test cricket, breaking Ian ''bowling Shane'' Healy's record of 395 dismissals on the third day. It was exactly one day short of nine years after Healy pouched the record from compatriot Rodney Marsh on October 4, 1998.

Furthermore, slow-leftie Paul Harris took his first five-for in Tests during Pakistan's first innings, and averages 20.46 for his 13 wickets in four Tests he's played against them.

Paceman Dale Steyn's 5 for 56 was the final nail in Pakistan's coffin. He seems to relish subcontinent conditions - one of his two other five-fors came in Sri Lanka. One bright spot in an otherwise horrid test for the hosts was Younis Khan's 126.

Also, on this day, in 1947, Harry Truman made the very first TV address by a US President – urging Americans, amongst other things, to avoid eating meat on Tuesdays and poultry products on Thursdays. Sitting by his grainy set in Chicago, we presume, was Ray A. Kroc, future founder of the McDonald’s fast food empire, who was trying to peacefully celebrate his 45th birthday at the time by “having a decent freaking meal, dammit! And why isn’t it on my table by 6pm! … Or sooner!”

Hopefully Kroc (rest his saturated-fat sodden soul) was in a better mood on his b-day in ‘62, when the Beatles released the vinyl of “Love Me Do,” still played to this day on muzak in a Mickey D’s near you, or in ’69, when Monty Python first hit the Beeb’s TV screens.

So it’s Quchjaj qoSlIj!, as they say in they say under the Golden Crotches in the Klingon Empire, to Bangladeshi paceman Mashrafe Mortaza (25), great Scott Ian Stanger (37) gorgeous Berkshire babe Kate Winslet (33); musical salutes to rocker Steve “I’m A Joker” Miller (65); annoying Irish activiste Bob “I’m Not Bono” Geldof (54); and Brian “I’m Not Bon Scott” Johnson, lead screecher of AC/DC.