On August 20, 1994, after being struck on the helmet by a Fanie de Villiers bouncer, England's Devon Malcolm walked back to his bowling mark, said 'You guys are history' to the South African slip cordon, and proceeded to take 9 for 57 — the sixth-best bowling figures in Test history at the time.
Devon Malcolm — Jamaica-born, England-qualified — was the fastest bowler in the world when fully loose. His career had been inconsistent because of injuries and varying captaincy strategies. The Oval pitch was slow and low, generally unfriendly to express pace.
Series 1-0 to South Africa after Lord's. England 304 in first innings; Malcolm hit on the helmet by de Villiers when batting at No. 11. The ground heard him say 'You guys are history' as he walked off.
South Africa led 1-0 going into the third and final Test at the Oval after Mike Atherton's dirt-pocket Test at Lord's. England were under pressure. South Africa made 332 in their first innings; England replied with 304 (Devon Malcolm batting at 11 made 4 not out). In England's first innings Malcolm came in to bat and was hit on the helmet by a Fanie de Villiers bouncer. Walking off, he said audibly to the South African slip cordon: 'You guys are history.' He meant it. South Africa began their second innings and Gary Kirsten was caught third ball off Malcolm. Then Hudson, Cronje and Wessels in quick succession. Malcolm took the first six wickets to fall. From 175 for 6, the tail came and went; the ninth and final wicket was Allan Donald, bowled second ball. Malcolm's final figures: 9 for 57 in 16.3 overs. Only Jim Laker (10/53), Anil Kumble (10/74), George Lohmann (9/28) and a handful of others had bettered it in Test history. England, chasing only 204, won by 8 wickets.
Hit on the helmet by Fanie de Villiers bouncer
'You guys are history' line to slip cordon
Kirsten caught at slip — 3rd ball of South Africa innings
Hudson, Cronje, Wessels in quick succession
Six wickets in his first major spell
Tail-end mop-up: Donald bowled second ball — 9/57
August 18, 1994 — Day 1
South Africa 332 (Cronje 38, Brian McMillan 93).
August 19, 1994 — Day 2
England 304; Malcolm hit on the helmet by de Villiers.
August 20, 1994 — Day 3
South Africa 175 a.o.; Malcolm 9/57; England 8 wickets to win.
August 21, 1994 — Day 4
England chase 204 to win by 8 wickets.
“You guys are history.”
“I just wanted to bowl as fast as I could. The Oval pitch was slow but the ball was reversing.”
One of the great hostile fast bowling spells, sparked by a personal slight and powered by genuine 90mph pace on a slow surface. England's first home Test win against South Africa since readmission.
The 9/57 spell remains the standout English fast-bowling performance of the 1990s. Devon Malcolm has frequently said 'I should have got the tenth' — Donald was the last man and after the game Donald told Malcolm 'you deserved it'.
Yorkshire v Essex
1932-06-16
On 15-16 June 1932 Herbert Sutcliffe (313) and Percy Holmes (224*) put on 555 for the first wicket against Essex at Leyton, breaking the world first-class record for any wicket and adding a layer of folklore — including a scoreboard that read 554 for several minutes and a hastily reversed declaration — that has clung to the partnership ever since.
Australia v England
1933-02-14
With the fate of the Bodyline series in the balance and England 216 for 6 chasing 340, Eddie Paynter checked himself out of a Brisbane hospital where he was being treated for acute tonsillitis, taxied to the Gabba in pyjamas and a dressing gown, and batted for nearly four hours to score 83. England drew level on first innings, won the Test by six wickets and the series 4-1.
Australia
1934-09-25
Days after the 1934 Oval Test, Bradman fell seriously ill with appendicitis that progressed to peritonitis. With antibiotics not yet available, he was given little chance of survival; his wife Jessie left Adelaide on a sea voyage to England prepared for the worst. He recovered after weeks of intensive nursing in a London nursing home and returned to first-class cricket the following Australian summer.