I will be starting a new series of blogs. This series will combine my two great passions: history and sport. I will be going back in time on a date and explore an interesting feat that occurred on the day and if it had any lasting effects or if it repeated itself.
On 12 August 1972, Australia's Ian and Greg Chappell created history by being the first set of brothers to score centuries in the same innings. It occured during the 5th Ashes Test against England. Going into this Test, England were leading the series, 2-1.
The Aussies were desparate to level the series. England batted first and were bowled out for 284. The visitors were reeling at 34-2. The Chappell brothers were at the crease together. What happened next was history in the making. They shared a 3rd wicket partnership of 201.
Greg Chappell would be dismissed first for 113 while Ian went on to score 118 before being dismissed. Australia were ultimately bowled out for 399; a lead of 115. England were then bowled out for 356. This left Australia needing to score 242. They achieved this and won by 5 wickets.
The Chappell brothers were at it again two years later on a tour of New Zealand. However, they did one better and scored centuries in both innings. Australia batted first in the 1st Test and the Chappell brothers were together with the scoreline reading 55-2. Together, they added 264 for the 3rd wicket. Ian scored 145 and Greg scored 247*(his best Test score). Australia declared on 511/6. New Zealand replied with 484 all out; a deficit of 27. The Chappell brothers scored another set of hundreds - Ian - 121 and Greg - 133. Australia ended with 460-8 declared. The match was drawn at the end.
The Waugh twins, Steve and Mark, were well known players for Australia. They were the next to achieve this feat. They were so great that they achieved the feat twice: once against the West Indies and the other against their oldest foes, England.
The first instance took place in 1995 in Kingston, Jamaica. It was the 4th Test and the series was tied at 1-1. West Indies batted first and posted 265. Australia replied with 531. The twins came together at the score reading 37-3. They put on a partnership of 231. Mark would score 126 and Steve would score 200. West Indies were then bowled out for 213. The result was Australia winning by an innings and 53 runs. Australia therefore won the series, 2-1.
It occured again in an Ashes Test in England. It was the 5th and final match. Australia had already won the series.
Australia batted first and were doing well. The Waugh twins came together at the score reading 292-2. They put together a stand of 197 for the 3th wicket. Older brother, Steve, sccored 157* while Mark scored 120. They ended with 641-4 declared. England were bowled out for 432. Steve, who was the captain, enforced the follow-on and England were skittled out for 184. Australia won the match by an innings and 25 runs.
The centuries made by the Marsh brothers (Shaun and Mitchell) was special, not only because it sealed a 4-0 Ashes win but also because it was a third Australian pair of brothers to score centuries in the same innings. They came together with the score reading 375-4. They put together a partnership of 169. In the process, they both scored hundreds. Shaun achieved his first. The excitement was so high for Mitchell to get his that it nearly resulted in a run out as the brothers started to celebrate in the middle of the pitch. Luckily, disaster was averted. Australia won by an innings and 123 runs.
Outside Australia, Pakistani brothers, Sadiq and Mushtaq Mohammad, scored centuries against New Zealand in 1976. It was the 2nd Test. Pakistan had won the 1st one. Sadiq scored 103 while his brother scored 101. These two hundreds helped Pakistan to post 473-8 declared. New Zealand were bowled out for 219. The follow-on was enforced and New Zealand scored 254. This left Pakistan needing a mere target of 1 run to win. They obviously achieved this without breaking a sweat.
Finally, The Flower brothers, Grant and Andy, reached this feat for Zimbabwe in 1995. They were playing Pakistan. It was the 1st Test. Zimbabwe batted first and posted 544-4 declared. The brothers came together at 42-3. They shared a partnership of 269 for the 4th wicket. In the process, Grant scored an unbeaten 201 and Andy scored 156. Pakistan replied with 322. The follow-on was enforced and Pakistan scored a further 158. The result was a Zimbabwe win by an innings and 64 runs.
It could be said that the Chappell brothers opened the way for siblings to score centuries together. In doing so, they will help their team post a high score and making their respective families proud.