1960 - Birth of Sri Lankan spinner Jayananda Warnaweera who was an effective bowler in his limited Test career. An off-spinner, Warnaweera bowled the ball at a quick pace but questions over the legality of his action eventually saw him sanctioned from the international arena. Following the conclusion of his playing career, he became involved in the preparation of the Galle Stadium. One of his proudest moments was when the ground hosted the second Test against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, its inaugural international fixture in June 1998
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Today is the birthday of former Sri Lankan spinner Jayananda Warnaweera[/caption]
1961 - Birth of Australian legend Merv Hughes. Not even the most ardent Hughes devotee would claim he was a great bowler, even though he took 212 Test wickets, but through his love of hard graft, beer, and a scrap he become a hero to a nation, and went on to become a selector
1964 - Birth of Sri Lankan seamer Kapila Wijegunawardane. His gentle medium pace was effective back in the day and in his second and final Test, he managed match figures of 7/98 while almost helping Sri Lanka to a win against Pakistan at Faisalabad in 1992
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Happy birthday Kapila Wijegunawardane![/caption]
1967 - Birth of South African opening batter Gary Kirsten
1989 - The “Bounty Bowl”: Philadelphia Eagles defeat Dallas Cowboys 27-0 at Thanksgiving in an ill-tempered game, after which Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson accuses Eagles coach Buddy Ryan of placing bounties on players
1991 - Evander Holyfield TKOs (technical knockout) Bert Cooper in the seventh round for the heavyweight boxing title
2003 - After three tied playoff holes between Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, Captains and players decide Cup to be shared at the Presidents Cup Golf
2013 - Manny Pacquiao defeats American Brandon Rios to win the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) welterweight title
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Manny Pacquiao defeats American Brandon Rios to win the WBO welterweight title in 2013[/caption]
2014 - British Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton wins season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit to clinch his second Formula-1 World Drivers’ Championship, 67 points ahead of team-mate Nico Rosberg