Only two batters with a century on their birthday in World Cup

Scoring a century in any particular format is always a remarkable moment for any cricketer playing this beautiful sport. Reaching the three-figure mark is a special achievement for a player but it becomes even more exceptional when it comes on their special day. The happiness of celebrating a Birthday comes only once a year and to hit a ton on that day that too even in a marquee tournament like the World Cup is something just spectacular. Only two players have managed to grab this feat and they feature in this article.

Let’s take a look at the two batters with a hundred on their Birthday in the Men’s ODI World Cup:

1) Ross Taylor

Former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor is the first player to smash a century on a birthday in the history of World Cups. The right-hander achieved the landmark against Pakistan in the 2011 edition. Skipper Daniel Vettori won the toss and the Kiwis elected to bat first in Match No. 24 in Pallekele. At the score of 55, New Zealand lost their second wicket, and in came Taylor at no. 4.

Even luck favoured him on his birthday as he was dropped by Kamran Akmal off the bowling of speedster Shoaib Akhtar. He then made the Pakistanis pay big time as he went to hammer an unbeaten 131 off 124, which included eight fours and seven towering maximums. The match is well and truly remembered for Taylor smacking two fours and three sixes against Akhtar in the 47th over and again two fours and three sixes against Abdul Razzaq in the 49th over. Courtesy of his special knock, his team posted a big total of 302/7, eventually winning the encounter by 110 runs. Taylor was awarded the Player of the Match award for his splendid ton on his Birthday.

2) Mitchell Marsh

Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is the second and last name on this elite list. The tall right-handed batter achieved the feat against Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup. Skipper Babar Azam won the toss and Pakistan elected to field first in Match No. 18 at M.Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore. The Aussies came out all guns blazing as

David Warner and Marsh added 259 runs for the opening wicket. The former smashed 163 off 124 while Marsh slammed his career-best score of 121 off 108. He smashed ten fours and nine monstrous maximums at a strike rate of 112.04.

Born in Perth in the year 1991, Marsh brought up his second century in one-day international format. The destructive batter also has 18 half-centuries to his name in this format. In the end, it turned out to be a double joy for him as his side won the contest by a margin of 62 runs. Though Warner won the Player of the Match award, Marsh gave solid support to Warner as the duo laid the platform for a big total for their side.