11 Unique and Lesser-Known Cricket Facts Uncovered
Cricket, with a massive following across the globe, has a very rich history. Every few years, cricket evolves with the introduction of new rules and innovations, making it more engaging and competitive. In this article, some of the interesting and lesser-known cricket facts that you may not have heard of before.
1. Cricket Is One Of The Oldest Sports In The World
The English aristocracy initially played cricket, making it one of the oldest sports in the world. Cricket originated in England, sometime in the 16th century. Over time, however, it became more accessible to the common people. Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world after soccer, played by over 100 countries today.
2. The Unique Features Of Cricket
Cricket is a sport that is unique in many ways. Unlike most other team sports, cricket matches can last for several days. In fact, the longest cricket match in history lasted for a whopping 12 days, played between England and South Africa in 1939. In addition, cricket also involves a lot of waiting between overs, giving players and spectators time to relax and socialize.
3. The Importance Of The Cricket Ball
The cricket ball is a crucial part of the game and has evolved. The ball’s design involves cork at the center, wrapped in twine and leather. This allows it to swing and spin in the air. Equally important is the condition of the ball as it has a significant impact on the game. The bowlers often use various techniques to roughen up or polish the ball. This makes it swing or spin more effectively.
4. The Most Important Thing In Cricket
The most crucial element in the game of cricket is the concept of “wickets”. In cricket, a wicket refers to the three wooden stumps at each end of the pitch. The bowler hitting the wickets results in the batsman being considered “out,” and the team losing a wicket. Consequently, the team that loses all ten wickets first loses the game.
5. The Role Of The Umpires
How important is umpiring in cricket? They have a crucial role in ensuring that the game is played fairly, according to the rules. Umpires make decisions on everything from LBW appeals to run-outs, ensuring safe, and fair play. Also, did you know that referees have the power to overrule the on-field decisions of the players? They can even make changes to the scorecard if required. In fact, in international cricket, there are two on-field umpires and a third umpire who can review decisions using TV replays.
6. The fastest bowler in cricket history
One of the most exciting aspects of cricket is the speed at which bowlers can deliver the ball. The fastest bowler in cricket history is Shoaib Akhtar from Pakistan. He bowled at a speed of 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) during a match against England in 2003. Interestingly, it is one of the greatest achievements in cricket history and is still an incredible victory that is remembered to this day.
7. The Longest Cricket Match
In 1939, England and South Africa played the longest cricket match in history lasting 12 days. Rain interrupted the match on several occasions, and the players had to come back day after day to complete the match. As a result, the match lasted for an unprecedented 12 days. In the end, the game ended in a draw. This match still holds the record for the longest cricket match ever played.
8. The Shortest Cricket Game
While some cricket matches can last for days, others can be over in a matter of minutes. Played between England and Australia in 1990, the shortest cricket game in history lasted only 18 balls. Amazingly, Australia bowled out England for a paltry 46 runs and then chased down the target in just 3 overs to win the game.
9. The Indian Cricket Team And Their Success
The Indian cricket team is one of the most successful cricket teams in the world. It being the most popular sport in the county is a sort of religion in India. Unsurprisingly, India won the Cricket World Cup twice, in 1983 and 2011. Phenomenal performances by India have produced some of the greatest players in history. Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni are to name a few. The IPL is a domestic T20 league in India with the best players participating from all over the world every year. Moreover, it is also considered one of the most popular cricket leagues in the world.
10. Weird And Interesting Cricket Facts
Let’s look at some of the unheard cricket facts that might surprise you:
11. Strange Fielding Positions
Cricket is famous for its unique and unusual fielding positions, like a silly point, third man, and deep backward square leg. The silly point, located close to the batsman on the offside, requires quick reflexes to take a sharp catch, which can unsettle a batsman.
Specifically, in the 2003 Cricket World Cup final, Ricky Ponting took a fantastic catch at a silly point to dismiss Indian batsman Sourav Ganguly, a crucial wicket in the match. The third-man position protects the fine-leg fielder. For instance, the third man occurred during the 2019 Cricket World Cup final when Ben Stokes hit a ball toward the third-man boundary. The ball deflected off the fielder’s hand for four runs toward the boundary. This is now famously known as the “Stokes bat incident.”
Wrapping Up
Cricket is a sport that millions of people devote their time to and hold close to their hearts. This is a direct result of cricket’s rich history and distinct characteristics. Whether it’s the excitement of the fastest bowler or the unusual fielding positions, cricket never fails to surprise and amaze. However, this game demands skill, experience, strategy, and patience to excel. Moreover, with interesting and weird cricket facts like the ones we’ve explored, it’s clear that there’s always something new to discover about this fascinating sport.
