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Old pics of David Bumble Llyod, hard to believe that old man looked like this.

Long before Andrew Symonds became a World Cup winner for Australia, the 20-year-old was already making cricket history.

On this day in 1995, playing for Gloucestershire at Abergavenny, Symonds produced an extraordinary innings that would spark a dispute between England and Australia. Chasing Glamorgan’s 334, Gloucestershire were struggling at 79 for 4 when Symonds arrived at the crease. Moments later they were 79 for 5 after stand-in captain Mark Alleyne was dismissed.

Symonds responded in spectacular fashion. He charged down the pitch at England seamer Steve Watkin and launched him over the boundary. From there, the assault barely slowed. He reached his century from just 88 balls and finished the first day on 197, having already struck 13 sixes. The following morning he hit three more off Watkin, including two in successive deliveries. The 16th six cleared the ground and landed on a nearby tennis court, surpassing John Reid’s 32-year-old record for most sixes in an innings.

Symonds eventually made 254 not out from 206 balls, contributing the vast majority of the 382 runs added while he was at the crease. His main partner was wicketkeeper Reggie Williams, whose primary task seemed to be keeping Symonds on strike. Despite the unusually short boundaries, Wisden’s correspondent insisted that the innings would have been remarkable on any ground.

Symonds wasn't finished. He smashed another four sixes in a 65-ball 76 during the second innings, taking his tally for the match to 20 another record that had stood since 1959. In the Sunday match that followed, he added seven more. In just five days, he had hit 27 sixes against the same county.

But the most significant chapter came 11 days later.

England selected the Birmingham-born Symonds for their A-team tour of Pakistan after confirming with the ICC that he was eligible under a loophole. A TCCB official openly admitted that the selection was intended to “call his bluff.” Symonds refused to respond publicly and instead released a brief statement declining the tour, explaining that his priority was Queensland, his Gold Coast club and his family.

The controversy intensified. English cricket writers had already named him Young Cricketer of the Year, an award reserved for Englishmen. Ray Illingworth, England’s chairman of selectors, said Symonds would never play for England again and called for him to be treated as an overseas player. England even inserted an availability clause into his next county contract.

Symonds eventually settled the argument himself. On 28 December 1996, he represented Australia A against Pakistan, effectively ending England’s hopes of claiming him.

The baggy green arrived in 2004, by which time Symonds had already become a World Cup winner in waiting.

His feelings about the entire episode could hardly have been clearer:

“My country was Australia. I just happened to be born in England.”

Indians fans brought Bella, a baby elephant to The Oval 55 years ago in 1971, to mark Ganesh Chaturthi and India’s Test series win England.

This image is a satirical or fan-made graphic humorously labeling various Australian cricketers as an "all-time Best Test XI," though many of the pictured players had significant international careers.

• Pictured Players: Features notable Australian Test representatives like Simon Katich , Shaun Marsh , and Tim Paine alongside other squad members.

• Context: The graphic is a lighthearted internet meme rather than an official or statistically backed assessment by Cricket Australia.

In the summer of 1971, Indian cricket etched one of its most defining moments into the pages of history. At The Oval in London, India secured their first ever Test match victory on English soil. It was a win that not only clinched the series 1 to 0 but also marked the rise of India as a formidable force in international cricket.

The match was filled with drama and determination. After England posted a decent total in the first innings, India fell short by 71 runs. The situation looked grim, and the pressure of chasing a series win in foreign conditions was immense. However, what followed was a display of remarkable resilience and skill, especially from the Indian bowlers.

The turning point came in England’s second innings. With the pitch offering slow turn, India’s leg spin maestro Bhagwath Chandrasekhar rose to the occasion. He delivered a magical spell, taking 6 wickets for just 38 runs. England crumbled under the pressure, collapsing to a shocking 101 all out. It was their lowest total against India at the time. It was a devastating blow for the hosts and a massive opening for the visitors.

Chasing a modest target of 173, India knew the pitch wasn’t easy. England captain Ray Illingworth used the conditions cleverly, setting tight fields and bowling with discipline to make every run difficult. However, India remained calm and composed. The final phase of the chase was particularly tense, as India needed 97 runs with plenty of time left but couldn't afford to slip.

Over the course of three patient hours, the Indian batsmen chipped away at the target. Eventually, the winning runs were scored, and India emerged victorious. The players walked off not just with a win but with a sense of history made. For the first time, they had defeated England in their own backyard and, in doing so, ended England’s record run of 26 unbeaten Tests.

This match wasn’t just about numbers or records. It was a statement. India had arrived. The victory laid the foundation for a more confident era in Indian cricket, inspiring generations of cricketers to come. The 1971 Oval Test remains one of the most iconic moments in Indian sporting history. It stands as a symbol of belief, unity, and the power of persistence.

On this day in 1938, England captain Wally Hammond finally deigned to declare the innings closed although if he'd let it run its course it might have really amounted to something. As it was, 903 for 7 was quite enough to destroy an injury-hit Australia by the ludicrous margin of an innings and 579 runs. The head groundsman at The Oval, "Bo**er" Martin, wasn't impressed. In a Test with no time limit, he thought England should have gone for the 1000. Instead, that 903 was a Test record until Sri Lanka amassed 952 for 6 against India in 1997.

Never scored a Hundred in ODIs.

Hundred on Retirement.

During the fifth Ashes Test in 2001, a memorable on-field exchange took place between debutant James Ormond and Australian veteran Mark Waugh. Looking to rattle the newcomer, Waugh reportedly said, "What are you doing out here? There's no way you're good enough to play for England."

But Ormond wasn’t rattled. With a sharp wit, he fired back: "Maybe not, but at least I'm the best cricketer in my family." As fate would have it, Waugh's twin brother Steve widely regarded as the better of the two was at the non-striker's end when this gem was delivered.

Ormond's international career was brief, featuring in just two Test matches. Still, he left a lasting impression with that one iconic comeback that left Mark Waugh speechless.

P.S. If you think Ormond bears a resemblance to Rory Burns, you're not alone I see it too.

PC : All Day I Dream About Cricket