Today in sports history: April 21 - Richard Hadlee stars with the bat

The COVID-19 pandemic has wiped out live sport all around the globe, but history will never be erased.

While you contemplate streaming yet another Netflix drama or rewatching another replay of your favorite sporting moments, here are some stories that were making news in years past on April 21.

1987 

Richard Hadlee makes his highest test score of 151 not out against Sri Lanka in Colombo. 

New Zealand fielded for more than two days, as Sri Lanka amassed a snail-paced 397/9 from 173 overs. At 160/5, Hadlee joined skipper Jeff Crowe (120no) and the pair steered New Zealand to safety with a 406-minute seventh-wicket stand of 244 runs. 

Today in sports history: April 21 - Richard Hadlee stars with the bat
Photo credit: Getty

1989

Future US President George W Bush and business partner Edward Rose become joint chief executives of Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers, purchasing the club for US$89 million. 

Bush would sell his shares in the club, when he decided to run for Governor of Texas in 1998.

1996

Chicago Bulls complete an NBA-record 72-win regular season. 

The ridiculously talented roster was led by superstar Michael Jordan, backed by Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Luc Longley, Ron Harper and Steve Kerr. The Bulls would beat Shawn Kemp and the Seattle Supersonics 4-2 in the NBA finals. 

The record would stand for 20-years before Kerr coached Golden State Warriors recorded a 73-7 win season but lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the finals. 

2012

Jones and Evans in action
Jones and Evans in action Photo credit: Getty

Jon Jones retains the UFC light-heavyweight championship with a unanimous decision win over former teammate Rashad Evans at Atlanta.

Birthdays 

1975 - Double Atlanta Olympics swimming gold medallist Danyon Loader  

Danyon Loader in action at Atlanta 1996
Danyon Loader in action at Atlanta 1996 Photo credit: Photosport

1980 - Former Dallas Cowboys NFL quarterback Tony Romo 

Deaths 

2010 - International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch, age 90
2017 - English soccer defender Ugo Ehiogu, aged 44, of cardiac arrest

Newhub's top story 12 months ago… 

Dereck Chisora beats Senad Gashi, sets up a potential clash against Joseph Parker

Joseph Parker and Dereck Chisora
Joseph Parker and Dereck Chisora Photo credit: Photosport/Reuters

British boxer Dereck Chisora has set up a potential clash with Kiwi Joseph Parker by beating Senad Gashi in an underwhelming bout.

Chisora claimed a unanimous points decision victory over his Albanian opponent at the O2 Arena in London on Sunday (NZ time).

The 35-year-old was returning for the first time since being smashed by London rival Dillian Whyte last time out.

The Parker v Chisora fight was duly scheduled for October 27, but never took place, after Parker was bitten by a poisonous spider and withdrew. Chisora knocked out fellow Brit David Price instead.