‘The Doctor’ – resplendent in his trademark long beard – was vital in the development of the sport, and is still considered one of the greatest-ever players.

His generation-defining brilliance came to the fore 121 years ago today, becoming the first man to score 100 first-class hundreds.

‘W.G.’ reached the mark playing for Gloucestershire against Somerset in Bristol. He would go on to end his storied career with 126 centuries.

The talented bowler and batsman required 1,113 innings to reach 100 hundreds, making him the slowest of the 24 men who have achieved the legendary mark.

1859: Members of the Melbourne Football Club codified the first rules of Australian rules football.

1875: The first running of Kentucky Derby is won by Aristides.

1939: Columbia Lions and Princeton Tigers play in the United States’ first televised sporting event, a collegiate
baseball game in New York City.

2000: Arsenal and Galatasaray fans riot at the 2000 UEFA Cup Final.