Cricket is one of the simplest and yet most complicated sports. On the one hand, all players need to do is score more runs than their opponents. And from the outside looking in, this is quite easy and fun. But on the other hand, this sport boasts so many formats and requires decision-making on the spot, which makes it hard to score those runs. However, the simplicity and excitement that surround the sport more than make up for these challenges.
Besides the thrill that comes from playing or watching cricket matches, this sport has grown fast because of another reason – you can place wagers on it. Once you have gotten the hang of how odds work and figured out how to research games, you can then rely on betting sites like Betway cricketto make some extra money. So, what else makes cricket such an interesting game (other than the money and the fun)? Let’s find out:
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Wednesday01 Jan. 2025
1. Cricket is the 2nd Most Popular Sport Worldwide
Football ranks as the most popular sport in the world with more than 3 billion followers. That is quite a large number. Cricket is not so far behind. It ranks as the second most popular sport with close to 3 billion followers and counting. More than 180 countries now embrace the sport, as it boasts the following perks:
- It is a team sport: Seeing players support and cheer each other on as they complement each other’s strengths is quite motivating for fans who enjoy this kind of comradery,
- It is versatile: Rather than have one format, it features several types of gameplay. Some are quite short while others take days to complete,
- It is an inclusive game: Fans and players feel comfortable with cricket because they do not run the risk of violence, abuse, and other negative reactions common in some other sports. Even when such instances arise, the fans, players, and management are quick to resolve the issues, and
- It is exciting: Watching the players come up with different techniques to win the game is always fun. This game features lots of fascinating twists which makes it fun to watch, especially when you have money on the line.
Additionally, it provides a platform for social engagement. Fans can meet like-minded people and establish long-lasting connections. These are but some of the reasons people cannot get enough of this sport.
2. The First Cricket World Cup Was in 1975
The International Cricket Council organizes the Cricket World Cup, which started back in 1975. The reception was quite good, and the event has continued with one major event every four years. But did you know that two years before this inaugural match, the England Women’s Team won the Women’s World Cup?
3. The Longest Cricket Match Took 12 Days
Everyone who watches cricket knows that games take about three to five days on average. Test cricket matches are the most taxing because the teams battle it out for the ultimate honor, doing their best to reserve their Test status. But none of these games have come close to the match between England and South Africa in 1939. These Test teams played against each other for a whopping 12 days!
And if you’re curious who won, well, that answer is not quite clear to date. Eventually, the teams had to stop playing so that the players and fans could take a break! Till today, these teams have always had aggressive head-to-head matches, probably trying to regain that match that ended in a somewhat draw.
4. Scoring 111 Runs (Nelson) is Frowned Upon
Hearing that a team has scored 111 may have you thinking that the team has done a great job. But if you ask its fans and players, this is not a good sign. That’s because 111 looks like the stumps and wickets used in cricket. And according to the superstitious beliefs ingrained in the cricket culture, this is a bad omen as it equates to dismissal. But how did this belief start? Some say it ties back to Admiral Lord Nelson who allegedly had one eye, one leg, and one arm at the end of his life. David Shepherd later gave this belief life as he would stand on one leg whenever the score reached 111. According to him, doing this would shield the team from evil spirits and they would score higher.
Whether it’s true or not, players work hard to avoid getting 111 runs and will do pretty much anything to keep from inviting trouble to their game. It’s quite common to see players standing on one leg once they hit the 111 score.
5. Cricket Made it to the Olympics Once
You probably know that cricket players battle it out on the international scene but do not feature in the Olympics. Why is this? Well, when the Olympics slotted cricket in back in 1900, only two teams showed up. One was the UK which was also the host, and the other was France. We all know that England is the stronger team, and you can imagine how easy the win was. Seeing the lack of interest from nations, the Olympics team withdrew cricket as an option.
Cricket is an interesting sport, dotted with superstition, amazing techniques, enthralling history, and enthusiastic fans. No wonder it has grown so much in the past few decades as more people embrace its uniqueness.
