Cricket's Moustache XI

Cricketers are the heartthrobs of an entire generation. When they adorn their respective national colours and fight it out in the middle, they arouse patriotism in the millions of fans, across the globe.They become an epitome of grit, patience and leadership. When they defy the odds like scoring a century on a hostile pitch or running through the opposition on a pretty docile pitch, their performances become ‘stuff of legends’.Their actions go down in cricketing folklore and serve as inspiration for the young ones to follow. Their careers remind us that even the greatest of them are bound to fail once in a while. But as the saying goes – ‘Form is temporary, class is permanent’.And finally if the cricketers possessed the aforementioned traits with a certain X-factor, then it becomes the perfect icing on the cake. The style that they add to the game becomes the trendsetter for generations to come. Fans imitating the gum chewing of Sir Vivian Richards or the high backlit of Brian Lara or the Dennis Lillee headband are some examples to name a few. What better to set you apart than a classic moustache. Bearing in mind the ‘gentleman’ tag associated with the game, a moustache is the right style statement for any cricketer. It is the perfect instrument to showcase the pride, the perfect delimiter between the boys and the men.We thought of compiling an XI comprising of players across all generations who always adorned a stylish moustache. Here is how it looks.

#1 Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan started the trend among Indian cricketers for sporting stylish moustaches

The twirled moustache and the facial hair that a good number of India’s cricket side is sporting these days is all because of Shikhar Dhawan – the moustache that went viral as he stunned the Aussies with a blazing century on Test debut.

The twirl of the moustache as soon as he crosses the landmark of a century has now become a signature celebration. He has singled handedly made moustaches cool again. We love the swag of this Delhi boy and hope to see many more moustache twirling knocks in the future.

#2 Graham Gooch

Gooch’s Zapata moustache drew smiles as well as respect

Zap or Goochie as he is fondly called, Graham Gooch, with 20 Test centuries to his name, was one of the most prolific run scorer for England. His career was marred with controversies but that didn’t stop him from attaining greatness. As Simon Barnes wrote about him,

“He achieved greatness as a player - at the age of 37. Such preposterous scores are normally for younger men. The fitness, the reflexes, the ability to concentrate for session after session; these are things that the years take away from you. But they have not taken them from Gooch. Gooch is a fanatic for mere fitness, a passionate lover of work for its own sake, a true glutton for austerity. Furthermore, he has achieved something quite close to greatness as a leader.”

Goochie was also known for some erratic changes in his facial hair pattern, varying from a designer stubble to clean shaven. He will mostly be remembered though for the Zapata Moustache that perfectly conveyed the seriousness that you demand both as a player and as the skipper.

#3 David Boon

David Boon’s moustache made him stand out in the cricketing world

Off the field, David Boon will be remembered mostly for his two outstanding achievements. Firstly, his memorable moustache and secondly for consuming 52 cans of beer on a flight from Sydney to London before the victorious 1989 Ashes.

Boon was one of the most easily identifiable batsmen in Test cricket not just because of his solid technique but also due to the thickest handlebar moustache ever to have featured in an international match.

#4 Allan Border

Border’s well-groomed moustache was a sign of his adherence to discipline

There is no greater praise for any test batsman than his innings getting compared to an Allan Border knock. The Australian legend lent grit and leadership a new dimension. At the time of his retirement, he had featured in more Tests, more consecutive Tests, more Tests as captain and more catches than any other player - possessing a healthy batting average of 50.

His moustache was never quite as dramatic as the previous Aussie in the list, but the well-trimmed moustache did convey a lot about his strict adherence to discipline.

#5 Clive Lloyd - Captain

Clive Lloyd’s moustache commanded respect

The chief architect of the West Indies dominance during the 70s and 80s. He was a born leader and it should come as no surprise that he is being chosen as the skipper of this side too. Whenever a mention of this superb cricketer comes to mind, there are three things that instantaneously spring to mind:-

• The 6’5” built with stooped shoulders
• The thick wire-rimmed Black spectacles
• The jet black handlebar moustache

The Lloyd moustache resembled a furry caterpillar. He kept trimming it over the years and, often combining it with a neat soul patch. Many things have changed in West Indies cricket over the years, but thankfully Clive Lloyd's moustache remains.

#6 Kapil Dev

The charm of Kapil Dev’s moustache is timeless

Kapil Dev’s career is a collection of accolades - The Haryana Hurricane led India to its first Cricket World Cup win in 1983. He hit four consecutive sixes in a Test match against England and broke the world record for most wickets in a Test bowling career.

Kapil’s moustache has stood the test of time. Its charm remain unaffected even after all these years. The moustache is as much a part of his persona as his fine bowling and lower-order hitting.

#7 Ian Botham

Ian Botham sported a stylish moustache during his playing career

Ian Botham was the face of England cricket in the 1980’s and is one of the greatest all rounders to have ever played the game. Botham managed to grab headlines with stellar performances with both bat and ball throughout his illustrious career. After making his Test debut for England on 28 July 1977 in the Third Test against Australia, he went on to play 102 Tests, scoring 5200 runs and taking 383 wickets.

Although he has now cut short his hair and shave off his moustache, the long hair and moustache used to the defining look of this champion cricketer during his glory days.

#8 Richard Hadlee

Hadlee’s unruffled moustache was a treat to the eyes

No list of cricketing moustaches will ever be complete without New Zealand's own piece of cricketing royalty – Sir Richard Hadlee. A class act on the cricket field and this greatness was reflected in the quality of his moustache as well – manicured and unruffled. In 13 World Cup matches, Sir Richard notched up 22 wickets at an average of 19.14.

Extra brownie points to Sir Richard for maintaining his moustache to this very day.

#9 Rodney Marsh - Wicket Keeper

Marsh’s moustache had the perfect curve

Rod Marsh was the kind of bloke you would want to take to war. He had the mindset of a combat warrior. One of the most widely respected wicket-keeper in the history of the game, he scored 3 centuries in 96 test matches at an average of 26.52 while taking 343 catches.

Marsh’s moustache started thick, brown and long, with the perfect curve. He has since refined it over the year befitting the lips of a national selector.

#10 Merv Hughes

Hughes’ moustache complimented the gaze he used to hand the batsmen

If cricketers were to be in a biking extravaganza, Merv Hughes would have been the bad boy riding his fat Harley and tormenting the fellow riders.

A large-hearted fast bowler, Merv Hughes always found himself in the thick of the action be it either for good or bad. He was the darling of the Australian crowds. A rather imposing diagonal run up and that follow up with the most deadly gaze that sent chills down the spine of most batsmen. Known to his teammates as a man of mischievous humor and an absolute master at sledging, the oversized handlebar was the most remarkable feature of the hefty Victorian.

#11 Dennis Lillee

Lillee’s moustache lent credibility to his bad-boy image

Dennis Lillee has been described by many as ‘The Complete Bowler’. He was the spearhead of the Australian bowling attack for more than a decade.

He got the crowds roaring as he ran into bowl. His bowling was a perfect mix of aggression, intimidation, hard work and an uncanny ability to pick the big scalps of the opposition.

Lillee thrived on challenge and chaos. His moustache was not an object of aesthetic beauty but matched the bad boy personality of Lillee perfectly.