13 cricketing superstitions you must know about

From the cryptic to the funny, cricket has it all. There are a lot of aspects to following the game of cricket that make it funnier and more intriguing than its face value portrays. Ever insisted that someone remain seated where they were during an on-going game because the team you support was doing well? Ever ensured you sat in the exact same position and place as the previous game in the belief that it was lucky for the team? Im sure every frenzied sport follower has indulged in the canard at some point in time.Superstitions and people have come a long way and such beliefs are prevalent among the players too. Cricket offers alot of ground for superstition in players, fans and even the game as an entity.When it comes to numerical superstitions, the Australians dislike for the Devils number 13, is very well known; this dislike even extends to the number 87 which is 13 short of a 100. This superstition can be attributed, as most people know, to the fact that there were 13 people present around the table at Jesus Christs last supper. But as for the exact reason why the number 13 is labelled wretched? One can only take shots in the dark.Moving on from the number-driven beliefs in cricket, there are several other superstitions that cricketers have followed religiously during their careers; these may seem quite arbitrary but they perhaps have their own private significance.

#1 David Shepherd

Ever wondered about the fable of the dreaded score of 111 and its multiples or, as they term it, the ‘Nelson’, which was brazenly broadcast by umpire David Shepherd?

The term originated from the legend of Lord Nelson, who was believed to have one eye, one arm and one leg and hence the number is believed to bring ill fate. Consequently, every time the score read 111 or its multiples (222,333 etc.), umpire David Shepherd would raise a leg from the ground to ward off bad luck, much to the amusement of the spectators.rs.

This same superstition was displayed during the Test between Australia and South Africa on November 11th, 2011, at 11:11, when South Africa needed 111 runs to win. Most spectators and umpire Ian Gould took to umpire Shepherd’s leg-raise Nelson for that minute with the scoreboard reading: 11:11 11/11/11 and 111 runs needed to win.

#2 Anil Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar

During Kumble’s remarkable 10-wicket haul in an innings against Pakistan, Tendulkar would take Kumble’s hat and sweater from him before handing it to the umpire before he bowled every over.

#3 Michael Atherton

If ever Englishman Mike Atherton was unbeaten at the end of the day’s play, he wouldn’t do an interview or attend to any media requests in the belief that he would get jinxed.

#4 Mohammad Azharuddin

Former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin always twirled the bat before taking stance.

#5 Roshan Mahanama

Before every ball, Sri Lankan Roshan Mahanama would raise his bat handle to his lips and kiss the top; this is eerily similar to the way Malinga kisses the ball before every delivery, don’t you think?

#6 Neil McKenzie

When South African Neil McKenzie would go out to bat, he would want the toilet seats to be down, and flushed. His obsession was so great that, if someone was inside, he was made to come out and then go back in after the ritual was completed.

#7 Steve Waugh

Former Australian captain Steve Waugh always carried the red handkerchief given to him by his grandfather which he considered lucky.

#8 Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar always put on his left pad first and used timeworn buckle type pads until the end of his career.

#9 Sanath Jayasuriya

Sanath Jayasuriya adjusted his helmet and patted his pad after every ball faced.

#10 Mohinder Amarnath

Mohinder Amarnath always carried a red handkerchief in his pocket while fielding.

#11 Krishnamachari Srikkanth

Krishnamachari Srikkanth always looked at the sun, wore his left pad first and always walked to the right of his partner while going out to bat.

#12 Grant Flower and Mark Dekker

When Zimbabwean Grant Flower and Mark Dekker would go to bat together, one would say “I hope you get hit on the head” to which the reply would unfailingly be “same to you”.

#13 Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka

Lasith Malinga kisses the ball when he starts his run-up before bowling. It has been conjectured that such a superstition has scientific logic such that spit makes one side of the ball heavier, thus making reverse swing easier to attain.