Cricket is admired by millions around the globe. It is brimming with excitement, infused with skill, and deeply rooted in tradition. But occasionally, cricket serves up moments that are plain weird. So, here are 5 weird cricket moments that we won’t forget.
What Are Weird Cricket Moments
Before we start with the stories, it’s worth clarifying what we mean by “weird” in a game like cricket. “Weird moments” are those that surprising, bizarre, or just out of the ordinary. Players or officials may invoke unusual rules, humorous mistakes, odd events, or curious behavior. Sometimes, they occur because of bad luck or misperceptions. In others, they result clever thinking or unorthodox strategies.
5 Unforgettable and Weird Cricket Moments
Underarm Bowling incident (1981)
One of the most legendary weird cricket moments came in a match between Australia and New Zealand. In the last ball of the game, Australia’s captain instructed his bowler to bowl the ball underarm along the ground. This was allowed by the rules at the time but seen as highly unfair and unsporting. The ball moved along the deck in front of New Zealand and left it technically impossible for them to hit a six and win the match.
Cricket fans worldwide were shocked by this incident, as it violated the traditional norms of the gentleman’s game. I think it was a weird way to win, and the rules were subsequently changed so that you’re no longer allowed to do that in international cricket.
The Ball Hitting a Bird
In cricket, the ball can travel very fast. Every so often it smacks into something unexpected. And there are occasions, albeit rare, when the ball has struck a bird in flight across the field. That is very unusual and can lead to confusion over what should take place next.
Remember when James Vince has hit a seagull during a game with the Melbourne Stars at the MCG? Well, anyway, if the ball strikes a foreign object such as a bird, then under the laws of the game, the ball is dead, and no runs or outs can be recorded from that delivery.
The “Mankading” Controversy
“Mankading” is the term for a bowler who runs out the non-striker batsman if he leaves the crease before the ball is bowled. It is a legitimate method of dismissing a batsman but is considered by many to be against the spirit of the game. This was named after the Indian bowler Vinoo Mankad, who first did it in 1947.
This moment is weird because it creates a debate about sportsmanship. Some players call it smart and just, while others say it’s sneaky.
The “Phantom Ball” Incident
In 2010, during a match in England, a bowler delivered a ball that the batsman completely missed. Then the ball hit the stumps, but the umpire didn’t see it, and the batsman was not given out. Replays later confirmed that the ball had struck the stumps.
This instance was unusual in that it highlighted how human error can influence the game. While technology now aids the umpires in making better decisions, mistakes such as this one underscore the fact that humans, not machines, are playing cricket.
The “Super Over” Tie Breaker
In their limited-overs cricket, a “Super Over” is employed to separate the teams after a tie. That means each team receives one additional over (six deliveries) to score as many runs as it can.
One of the strangest Super Overs happened in the 2019 World Cup final between England and New Zealand. Both the match and the Super Over ended in a tie! England emerged victorious as they had scored more boundaries during the match. This strange rule inspired a great deal of argument and perplexity.
I believe the concept of the Super Over is good to make the sport more exciting, but the final result determined by the boundary rule felt unjust. It was a strange way to finish such an important match.
Final Thoughts
Weird cricket moments make the sport more interesting and memorable. They remind us that cricket is not all skill but is also unpredictable and fun. These are the moments that remind players and fans alike to respect the rules, maintain focus and play — and enjoy — the game regardless of what comes their way.
I think weird moments are what make the history of cricket so colorful. They provide us with stories to tell and laugh at for years. Occasionally, they even lead to changes in the rules to make the game fairer or better.
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Sources:
- www.espncricinfo.com/story/icc-survey-reveals-over-a-billion-fans-90-in-subcontinent-1150473
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