Born On This Day: 16th November

David O’Sullivan, was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand in 1944. He was a slow-left-arm bowler who had a short but influential career with the county from 1971-1973.

He played in 26 first-class matches for Hampshire, taking 84 wickets at 23.82, and five times taking five or more wickets in an innings, with a best of 6-26 v Nottinghamshire at Bournemouth in the match before Hampshire clinched the 1973 Championship. In 1973 he only came into the Hampshire side on a regular basis for the final few weeks, but then his contribution was as important as any players’ in securing a second title; in their last six matches, he took 33 wickets at 13.75.

Despite that, at the end of that season, Hampshire had to make a choice of their second overseas player between him and Andy Roberts, and O’Sullivan was released. For Hampshire, he also scored 347 runs at 15.77 with a best of 45. From 1974-1977 he played for Durham when they were still a Minor County, while between 1972/3-1976/7 he played in 11 Test Matches for New Zealand, taking 18 wickets. 

Also today: Henry Bethune (1885-1897), Montague Hayter (1904), James Southerton (1861-1867)