The game of cricket used to be played exclusively by white players in England and Australia long time back. Gradually it became popular in other countries like India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and West Indies and so on. It has become very popular in these countries. Cricketers have today become stars and they earn in millions. The game has also undergone a lot of change. Earlier there used to be only one variant-test matches. Today you have the one day international where 50 overs are bowled and the winner is decided on the same day itself. A recent variant of the game is the Twenty20 or the T20 where just 20 overs are bowled to decide the winner.
Cricket has become highly competitive and intense. As a result there are many controversies associated with the game. There have been match fixing scandals, accusations like biased umpiring decisions, ball tampering etc. It is no longer a gentleman’s game in the true sense. Nevertheless on a lighter vein there are some funny moments connected with this game and here we present top 10 funniest ways of getting out in cricket which you won’t find in any other game.
Let’s check out the ten funny ways through which a batsman can be declared as dismissed-
1. CAUGHT:
A batsman is declared out if the ball hit by him is caught by any of the eleven fielders provided the ball is in flight from the moment it is hit. If by chance there is any contact with the ground the batsman is declared as not out. There are restrictions on fielders too while catching the ball. He cannot step on the boundary rope or should not be standing beyond the boundary line. If he catches the ball in this position the batsman is awarded runs (boundary) instead of being declared out. In addition if the ball bowled by the bowler is a no-ball then any resultant catch even if clean will not result in the dismissal of the batsman.
2. BOWLED:
When the wickets (stumps) get dismantled by an incoming ball the batsman is declared out. This happens if the batsman fails to hit or when deflects the ball with his bat or unfortunately with his body. However if the umpire signals a no-ball just as the bowler throws the ball then this rule will not apply.
3. STUMPED:
The batsman tries to hit an incoming ball but misses and he is out of the crease and the wicket-keeper manages to catch the ball. Then the keeper can knock off the bails to get the batsman out stumped. A no-ball however nullifies this rule.
4. HIT WICKET:
The umpire declares a batsman out if the wicket gets hit by his bat, any part of his body or cricketing gear. However if the bowler bowls a wide ball or a no-ball then the batsman is declared not-out.
5. LEG BEFORE WICKET (LBW):
This is one of the most complicated and controversial decision taken by umpires. In the history of cricket we come across many such decisions which were later discovered to be wrong. In this case an umpire takes the decision when fielders appeal for an out-LBW. If the batsman fails to make contact with the ball and in the process is found to be standing before the stumps obstructing the ball he is declared out. The assumption is that the wicket would have been hit by the ball had it not for the legs or body of the batsman. However if it is a no-ball or if the ball hits the bat before the batsman obstructs the stumps with his legs then he cannot be declared out.
He was the yardstick against whom all cricketers have always been measured. He set high standards, had a great batting average and in 1930 he scored his highest test innings. Idolised by cricket fanatics all over the world he singlehandedly brought cricket to the forefront among sports. Wisden has nominated him as the greatest Test cricket player ever.
Thirty six years old and he is still going strong. Soon he is expected to overtake the Don’s records for the highest cricket average in Test cricket. His talent and dedication to the game have made him India’s favourite Little Master and the bane of bowlers worldwide. Tendulkar is great not only in Test cricket but is also a great ODI player and on his shoulders rest the hopes of a billion Indians.
A great batsman and an even more aggressive bowler, Sir Vivian towered over the cricketing world from 1974 till 1991. A popular and wise captain, he led West Indies cricket during its heydays. He has been ranked by Wisden as the best One day International player of all times. He is also believed to be one of the best fielders of all times.
Another West Indian, Brain Lara enchanted cricket audiences worldwide with his style of batting and his ability to dispatch every bowler’s ball to the boundary with ease and grace. He holds many batting records, including the one of scoring the maximum number of runs in one over in Test cricket. He scored 24 runs of an over of Robin Peterson in 2003
Murli has many a batsman quivering in his shoes when he comes roaring down the pitch. A great bowler he is unmatched in his ability to take wickets in both one day internationals and in test cricket. It is going to be a long time before anyone is able to match his score of 800 test wickets.
Possibly the best bowler in cricket history, Glenn McGrath was persistently accurate when it came to taking wickets. He played for 14 years and has taken over 550 wickets. He is undoubtedly deserving of the number one spot in this list.
Walsh bowled his way till the top in this field and made it look so easy. His success is further consolidated by the fact that he was at the top for 17 years. This legend has taken over 500 Test wickets which was a record at one point.
This left-handed bowler is considered to be among the fastest in the field. His is fondly referred to as the Sultan of Swing and has taken over 350 Test wickets. Akram has also recorded two hat-tricks in both ODI and Test cricket.
Kapil Dev was definitely the best in the game during his time and is said to be an all-rounder. He gave his all no matter what the stakes were and he would deserve a mention even if he was terrible with the bat. However, both his batting and bowling were exceptional and he has taken over 430 Test wickets during his career. Last but not the least; he was also given the title of the “Cricketer of the last century”.
Since his nickname was “White Lightening”, it goes without saying that he is among the top 10 bowlers in cricket history. Since South Africa was excluded from cricket, Donald gave his all at the age of 26 when he finally got his chance. His excellence in the field was proven when he took over 300 wickets.
