A Day of Centuries
Today, 11th July, is a day which commemorates two famous centuries, made by two of Cricket’s Knights of the Realm: Sir Donald Bradman and Sir Colin Cowdrey.
I linked on to the theme of centuries last night, as I watched Shiv ‘Tiger’ Chanderpaul display all his resilient qualities to save the 3rd Test for West Indies v India in Dominica. He celebrated his record-breaking 133rd Test appearance with a century in the process. I imagine he will awake today, a tired but highly-satisfied man.
Chanderpaul’s match-saving innings of 116 not out took 343 balls, whilst the iconic Bradman made 309 not out on the first day of the Ashes Test series at Headingley in 1930. His completed inings of 334 not out was scored off only 448 balls. Bradman’s innings is regarded as one of the best of all time – a remarkable feat, especially when one considers how ‘out of step’ such a scoring rate was, in relation to the period of Cricket and its scoring rates in 1930.
Sir Colin Cowdrey’s 100th Test appearance, on this day in 1968, was crowned by the most elegant of Kent batsmen, with a century (the 21st of his Test career), against Australia at Edgbaston.
Every cricketer remembers their first century, especially in First-Class and Test Cricket. Kirk Edwards from West Indies will be reflecting on his maiden Test century on his Test debut two days ago, as he joined the illustrious list of players making a century on Test debut.
For Bradman and Cowdrey, centuries were almost a habit, but I reckon that the ones they made on this day, always held a special place in their hearts for their significance and quality.
I wonder if anyone will make a memorable century today?
