The cricketing world is celebrating a birthday mania on Tuesday, June 2. Considered one of the best Test batsmen, if not the best in the modern era, Steve Smith turns 31, while the Australian Ashes hero shares his birthday with Waugh brothers, Steve and Mark. The Waugh are celebrating their 55th birthday on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka all-rounder, Angelo Mathews also shares his birthday on June 2 with the Australia stalwarts. The former skipper of the islanders has turned 33. Former England batsman George Lohmann also was born on this day in 1865. Lohman, who died aged 36 in Worcester, had played 18 Test matches for England. Lohmann scalped 112 wickets at an incredible average of a little over 10. In just 18 matches, he had managed to register nine 5-wicket hauls and five 10-wicket hauls.
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Between them, 88 Test hundreds were scored. 32,377 runs were scored in 473 matches in the longest format of the game. Smith, Waugh brothers, Mathews, and Lohmann could all roll their arms over as well. Between them, the quartet share 313 wickets and thirteen 5-wicket hauls. Add 506 catches to it as well.
Born today are:
George Lohmann in 1865
Steve Waugh in 1965
Mark Waugh in 1965
Angelo Mathews in 1987
Steve Smith in 1989
Test career summary:
473 mts, 780 inns, 32377 runs, ave 47.82, 100s: 88, 50s: 162 (HS 239)
506 cts
313 wkts, ave: 31.26, S/r 69.47, 5wi: 13, 10m: 5 (Best 9/28)— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) June 2, 2020
Smith, who recently toppled Virat Kohli from the numero uno position in ICC Test rankings, has 7227 runs at an average of 62.84 to go with 26 centuries in 73 Test matches. Wishes have been pouring in for Smith, Waugh brothers, and Angelo Mathews on a special day.
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Former India opener Wasim Jaffer took to social media to send his wishes to Smith. He tweeted: “Started as a leg spinner who batted a bit, and now he’s one of the best in the world when it comes to batting. Happy birthday @stevesmith49!”
Started as a leg spinner who batted a bit, and now he's one of the best in the world when it comes to batting. Happy birthday @stevesmith49! pic.twitter.com/BNYd0JoF44
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 2, 2020
Having been in lockdown, Steve said he has no real plans for his birthday apart from doing a few fitness routines. During a chat in Sony Ten pit stop, Smith said, “No real plans for the birthday at the moment. Just probably some fitness, a bit more of that. Not much else.”
The Australia cricketer along with his teammates began outdoor training following the enforced break due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
