Bert Sutcliffe scored his first test century OTD 75 years ago - 101 at Old Trafford. NZ made 348-7 on the last day in 5 hours. England bowled 110 overs. Despite never being on the winning side in 42 tests, Sutcliffe still averaged 40.

Roger Harris, Auckland's oldest living first-class cricketer and opening bat for BLACKCAPS in two test matches, is 91 today. Harris and Graham Gedye were a formidable opening pair at provincial and club level.

Saturday nights in New Zealand as they used to be. The one and only Peter Cape, songwriter, author and Anglican priest, amongst other things... youtube.com/watch?v=fEqSzz…

OTD 55 years ago, Glenn Turner (43*) carried his bat through NZ's fourth innings of 131 at Lord's (chasing 362 to win). Not for the only time in his career, Derek Underwood caused BLACKCAPS a few problems, finishing with figures of 31-18-32-7.

Former BLACKCAPS batsman Terry Jarvis is 80 today. He was one of the founders of Sky TV (NZ) and a noted figure in the horseracing industry. Holds NZ test first wicket record of 387 with Glenn Turner in WI in 1972.

Andrew Penn , who turned 50 last week, had a day to remember at Grace Rd, Leicester, OTD 1999. Took 6-51 for BLACKCAPS as Leics were bowled out for 125 then was 62* at stumps, coming in at 116-7. A very good bowler on his day, 252 FC wickets at 23.

New footbridge and lifts for the first time at local station on Sydney's upper north shore. Response to increase in local population with apartments built over last six years. Project completed 12 months ahead of schedule! Public transport done well.

My great-great-great-great-grandfather John Lane died in his chair in his cottage at Highcliffe, on this day in 1852. My 3g-grandmother Ann Payne's surname spelt wrongly - no relation to the coroner.

How it all started for the Beatles. "Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers" in Hamburg 1961. This is the single which Brian Epstein was asked for in his record store in Liverpool and the rest, as they say, is history... youtube.com/watch?v=8KNedj…

Two happenings of note OTD in 1919 in Bournemouth. Phil Mead scored one his 153 FC 100s and my grandparents got married. He 42 (Canadian Army, divorced), she 20 (spinster of this parish). Whether they popped into Dean Park for an over or two to watch Mead bat is not known...

Metro trains under Sydney Harbour from this week. Trains, fast ones, every few minutes. An absolute game changer e.g. Chatswood to Barangaroo in 10 mins.

OTD in 1969 at The Oval, Dick Motz became the first BLACKCAPS bowler to take 100 tests wickets. It was he last test as he was forced to retire with a spinal injury at age 29. Excellent fast-medium bowler and big hitting batsman. A crowd favourite.

Former BLACKCAPS batsman John Guy is 90 today. The only player to appear for five NZ provinces. He was also responsible for the famous Excalibur bat.

Ex-Canterbury all-rounder Dave Gallop is 87 today. Famously one of the quartet of leg-spinners who were trialled in the nets for a place on NZ's 1965 tour to India, Pakistan & England. Gallop had made his Canterbury debut in the 1950s but had not been selected that season.

Ex-Canterbury player Dave Gallop is 87 today. I well remember his brilliant 100 against Auckland in 1965. Canterbury won the match by running byes off the last 3 possible balls of the game, bouncers bowled by Bob Cunis. Graham Henry made his FC debut as WK and #11 batsman.

Lauren Bacall was born 100 years ago today. A stunning movie debut aged 19 in 'To Have and Have Not'. Legendary musician and composer Hoagy Carmichael at the piano and Bogart, of course... youtube.com/watch?v=mFfuUu…