11 Cricketers who achieved special laurels on their birthdays

11 Cricketers who achieved special laurels on their birthdays: Conquering the opposition and winning games for the nation might well be the primary goal of cricketers but individual performances do have a place in this hugely popular sport. Enroute to ensuring that their sides come out trumps, these players provide some memorable shows and make a name for themselves. And what better if these performances come on their birthdays. A day when they are expected to be showered gifts upon them, they come up with presents not only for themselves but also for the team. Today we list some such occasions: 11 Cricketers who achieved special laurels on their birthdays: 1. Sachin Tendulkar – A century against Australia in a final: Sachin Tendulkar “desert storm” (Photo Source: AFP) Sachin Tendulkar’s 134 against Australia at Sharjah on his 25th birthday in 1998 – was the second instance of someone reaching three figures in a one-day international on their birthday. Those who jibe about Sachin not making runs when it matters should see this one. It ensured that India won the Sharjah cup final after being in a precarious position at one stage and the knock is famously referred to as one of the 2 episodes of the “desert storm”. Also Read – 12 Cricketers who missed a thing despite achieving everything in their career 2. Sanath Jayasuriya – A century and a record stand: Sanath Jayasuriya. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Seasoned campaigner Jayasuriya celebrated his 39th birthday in great style, smashing 130 off only 88 deliveries against Bangladesh in the Asia cup 2008. Jayasuriya was in a punishing mood and was also involved in a record 201-run partnership with opening partner Kumar Sangakkara. None of the bowlers could make any impression on Jayasuriya as he drove, cut and pulled at will, altogether striking 6 sixes and 16 fours. Sri Lanka credit to the fine knock, reached 332 in their 50 overs. 3. Peter Siddle – A Test hat-trick: Peter Siddle. (© Getty Images) The first day of the 2010-11 Ashes series was the Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle’s 26th birthday, and he celebrated it in unique style by slicing open England’s middle order with a high-quality hat-trick – Alastair Cook caught at slip, Matthew Prior bowled middle stump, and Stuart Broad LBW to a yorker. Siddle ended the day with 6 for 54. It was the ninth hat-trick in Ashes history and only 4th by an Australian. England were eventually all out for 260. Siddle had not played in a Test since January due to a back injury but was fit enough to carry the team on his shoulders. 4. Colin Cowdery – A triple century: (source) As Colin Cowdrey was born on Christmas Eve, he didn’t get too many opportunities to bat on his birthday. One time that he did was on England’s tour Down Under in 1962-63, when the match against South Australia started just before his 30th birthday. Cowdrey made 244 not out on the first day, and completed the only triple-century of his career as a birthday gift to himself when play resumed. For years afterwards he drove around in a car with the number plate “MCC 307”, being the initials and his highest score. 5. Bill Woodfull – The Ashes (twice): (source) Australia’s captain Bill Woodfull won back the Ashes with an innings victory at The Oval on his 33rd birthday in August 1930 – and repeated the trick four years later, reclaiming the urn (lost during the Bodyline series) after a 562-run win. Don Bradman, who had scored 232 in the 1930 victory, chipped in again with classy 244. 6. Vinod Kambli – A ODI hundred: Vinod Kambli. (Photo Source: ESPNcricinfo Ltd) The flamboyant left-hander Vinod Kambli celebrated his 21st birthday, in January 1993, by routing England for an undefeated 100 in a one-day international in Jaipur. Kambli shared an unbroken stand of 164 with his old school friend Sachin Tendulkar. It wasn’t quite the perfect birthday, though as England snatched victory off the last ball. 7. Stuart Broad – Captaining team to victory: Stuart Broad. (© Getty Images) Not only that, also taking a wicket with your first ball, that’s what Stuart Broad did on June 24 in 2012, his 26th birthday, while leading England in a T20 international against West Indies at Trent Bridge. His first delivery accounted for Lendl Simmons, caught at deep square leg, as Broad went on to oversee a seven-wicket win over the visitors. 8. WG Grace – Centuries at Lord’s: WG Grace. (Photo Source: Wisden) WG Grace hit 109 for the Gentlemen against the Players at Lord’s on July 18, 1870 – his 22nd birthday. Seven years later he did it again, with 110 for a combined Gloucestershire and Yorkshire team against “England”. And on his 56th birthday, in 1904, playing for the London County against MCC at the Crystal Palace, he made 61 not out – and went on to make 166 next day. It was, according to Wisden, “an exceedingly fine display, hitting with great power in all directions”, and was also WG’s last first-class hundred. 9. Yuvraj Singh – All-round performance: Yuvraj Singh. (Photo Source : BCCI) Birthday boy Yuvraj Singh put up a stunning all-round display to spur India to a record six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second and final Twenty20 international in 2009 at Mohali. India reached the highest chasing total, amassing 211 for four in 19.1 overs after Sri Lanka had made a daunting 206 for seven. Yuvraj, who turned 28 on that day, smashed a 25-ball 60 not out after he had grabbed three for 23 bowling left-arm spin on his home ground. “This is my best birthday till now,” said Yuvraj afterwards. 10. Ross Taylor – A World Cup century: Ross Taylor. (Photo Source: AFP) The New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor marked his 27th birthday, in March 2011, with a ferocious assault on Pakistan’s bowlers during their World Cup match in Pallekele, Sri Lanka. Taylor’s last 13 balls brought him 55 runs as New Zealand sprinted to a winning total of 302. He ended up with 131 not out, including seven sixes. It is worth mentioning that Kamran Akmal helped Ross in every possible way by dropping two easy catches at the start off his innings. In reply Pakistan collapsed and lost by 110 runs. 11. Jason Gillespie – A double ton by a tailender: Jason Gillespie. (© Getty Images) Fast bowler Jason Gillespie frustrated Bangladesh with a double-century on his 31st birthday. Gillespie, whose previous Test best was 54 not out, ended on 201 not out, a record for a nightwatchman as Australia declared on 581-4 in reply to Bangladesh’s first-innings 197. Gillespie did not play after this match and therefore holds the distinct record of scoring over 200 runs in the last Test of his career. Also Read – 10 Cricketers and their super luxurious homes