Ask any cricket fan, and they’ll tell you about moments from specific games or tournaments that they vividly remember. Sometimes, they can explain these in such detail that you might think you are there witnessing it in person.
The simple reason for this is that some moments in every sport are so historical or significant that they are hard to forget. From doing something nobody else has ever done to surprising everybody with an unexpected play or skill, these moments make the sport what it is.
Cricket is full of moments like these and has its fair share of things that fans will likely never forget. Below are some of the best moments that will go down in history as events that forever shaped the game.
Superman Run-Out
South Africa is one of the highest-rated nations when it comes to cricket. However, that was not always the case. Before 1992, the country was barred from playing in international cricket due to the oppressive apartheid laws that the government had instituted.
Returning to the game to play in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, there was little shared opinion among fans worldwide regarding how the team would do. However, one pivotal moment not only secured South Africa a win against Pakistan but also changed what people thought about the team for years to come.
With rain inhibiting many league-stage matches, South Africa desperately wanted—and needed—a win. Thankfully, after a massive hit by Inzamam-ul-Haq, an opportunity presented itself. Picking up the ball, SA fielder Jonty Rhodes sprinted toward the wickets to run out Inzamam.
Realizing he may miss the stumps if he threw the ball, he dived in a fashion similar to how Superman flies. Ball in hand, he collided with the stumps and took out the competition. Thanks to this impressive performance, South Africa went on to win the match by 20 runs.
Ball of the Century
When Shane Warne started representing Australia as part of its national team, there were many mixed feelings about him. Many people thought he was obnoxious and had little to offer, especially after the embarrassing defeat he suffered during his debut in Sydney while playing against India.
However, when playing against England later on, the game and the opinion of this player changed drastically. Bowling what appeared to be an effortless ball, Shane released the ball, which sailed almost directly towards English batsman Mike Gatting.
At the last minute, the ball swerved violently to the left and got through any defences the cricketer may have hurled at it with his bat. Hitting the wickets cleanly, Warne bowled Gatting out and simultaneously received the title for bowling the Ball of the Century.
An Indian Upset
If you’re an avid cricket fan, it is no guess that, of all your favourite competitions, the Cricket World Cup probably trumps them all. For some countries, however, this tournament is what launched cricket into a lifeblood that now runs in the veins of its citizens.
India is one such country. While cricket has always been popular in the nation, it was never given mainstream attention (or funding). So, when the 1983 World Cup came along, nobody expected the country to perform, mainly because the West Indies were clear favourites to win.
However, when the two teams faced off against each other in the finals, things didn’t pan out as expected. After being bowled out with just 183 runs, nobody expected India to do anything except play until the Windies beat them.
Shockingly, however, the team caused a massive upset when they bowled out all the Men in Maroon after accumulating just 140 runs. The victory set the Indian nation on fire and is widely credited with why the sport is so popular today.
Underarm Play
Cricket is one of the more civilized sports played today. Widely regarded as a gentleman’s sport, it is governed by a shared understanding of what is and isn’t acceptable. In 1982, however, Australia threw this etiquette out the window and caused an international scandal.
Playing against New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, New Zealand had just one more ball left to try and win the match. The catch was they required a six from the ball to claim victory.
Australian captain Greg Chappell had a cunning and disgraceful plan to ensure they didn’t achieve this. He instructed his younger brother, Trevor, the bowler at the time, to bowl the final ball underarm, making it impossible for NZ to hit a six.
Immediately after the bowl, there was mass outrage at the action. Many called it unsportsmanlike, while others didn’t hide their disgust at such a cheap, underhanded (no pun intended) ploy. Thankfully, the game’s laws were amended shortly afterwards to make underhand bowling illegal.
Hitting for 200
Achieving a century during a cricket match is a notable achievement that many cricketers are proud to have made. After all, when you’re playing against the best, such an achievement is impressive, to say the least.
In 2010, Sachin Tendulkar of India’s national team achieved this feat. However, more than this, he made history by going even further than any other male cricketer had before him. While playing an ODI (one-day international) against South Africa, he hit a century—twice.
Hitting over 200 runs during the game, Sachin was the first male cricketer to attain such an achievement. While a female batswoman, Australian Belinda Clark, achieved this in 1997, many believed it would not be possible for a man due to the heavier competition during matches.
Despite this, Sachin made a name for himself and proved that something improbable could indeed be achieved. Since his achievement, more than seven other male cricket players have achieved double centuries.