This player had equaled the record made in 1920 by scoring a century in 35 minutes, but then when the truth came out, all the poles were exposed.
Steve O’Shaunsee (right) has become an umpire after leaving cricket.
38 years ago on this day, a batsman scored a century in first class cricket within just 35 minutes. It was equal to the record of the fastest century but later it came to light that there was a scam in blowing this century. Due to this, Wisden did not record this record. This tainted feat was done by England batsman Steve O’Shaughnessy. He did this work against Leicestershire at Old Trafford while playing for Lancashire. Steve O’Shaunsee was a right-handed batsman and played as an opener. He did not get a chance to play for England but he remained active for 10 years in the first class. Later he became the umpire. Recently he played the role of umpire in The Hundred tournament in England.
So what was the story of the match in which a stormy century was scored but it remained away from the record book. Lancashire batted first in the match that started on 10 September. He scored 236 runs in the first innings. On his behalf, opener Graeme Fowler scored 85 and Jack Simmons scored 57 runs. In the first innings, Steve O’Shaunsee was dismissed after scoring only three runs. Paddy Clift was the most successful bowler for Leicestershire and he took five wickets for 73 runs. Leicestershire played amazing cricket in the first innings and declared the innings after scoring 150 runs for only four wickets. He took this step to get the result of the match.
Disturbances in the round of results in the second innings
Lancashire’s batsmen scored fast in the second innings. Opener Graeme Fowler scored a century and scored 100 runs. This time Steve O’Shaunsee also scored a century. He scored 105 runs. He played this innings in only 35 minutes. Through this, O’Shaunsee equaled Surrey’s Percy Fender’s record in 1920. However, even after this innings, the result of the match did not come out. Lancashire refused to declare the innings. Thus the match ended in a draw. But earlier, during Lancashire’s second innings, the Leicestershire bowlers bowled a lot of full toss to Steve O’Shawnsee in the hope of a result. He was also bowled easy. O’Shaunsee took full advantage of this. When this matter came to light, the Wisden Almanack removed O’Shaunsee’s innings.
Steve O’Shaunsee played 112 matches in first class cricket and scored 3720 runs at an average of 24.31. He had five centuries and 16 half-centuries to his name. Here he has taken 114 wickets. At the same time, in 176 matches in list cricket, he has 2999 runs at an average of 23.42. He has also taken 115 wickets in this format.
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