Blast from the past: Mitchell cuts Beard down to size in 10th title defence

1906 — South Africa’s cricketers claim their first-ever series triumph, beating England by 243 runs in the third Test at the Old Wanderers for an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match contest. Maitland Hathorn and Gordon White scored a century in each SA innings, of 385 and 349/5 declared. The hosts’ opening bowler, Tip Snooke, took 8/70 as England, chasing 440 for victory, were bowled out for 196. He finished the match with a haul of 12/127.

1939 — The one-off “timeless Test” between South Africa and England, which started on March 3, finally ends after 10 days. There was no play on the two Sundays it ran over. Both teams agreed to call it a draw in the end, though at the time England were 42 runs away from victory with five wickets standing. England won the series 1-0.

1990 — Brian Mitchell comfortably outpoints American Jackie Beard in a rematch in Grosetto, Italy, to retain his WBA junior-lightweight crown. Their first bout had ended in a technical decision for the South African after the bout ended on a cut in the ninth round. It was Mitchell’s 10th title defence.

2008 — Albie Morkel takes four wickets and his brother Morne one as the Proteas dismiss Bangladesh for 143 in Dhaka in the third and final ODI. Captain Graeme Smith hit an unbeaten 68 off 94 deliveries to guide SA to victory by seven wickets.

2014 — The Proteas are demolished by Australia in the deciding third T20 at Centurion, losing by six wickets with five overs remaining. SA were restricted to 128/7, with only opener Quinton de Kock making an impact, scoring 41 from 40 balls. Albie Morkel was the next highest scorer with 18 from 11.