Top 5 famous ducks in international cricket

There is nothing more harsh and unpredictable than International cricket. Pressure or maybe the lack of it has time and again shown that even the prolific and dependable of batsman succumb to it as if a fall from grace. So often, great milestones that have brought with it, the expectations of a heartwarming performance have been reduced to dust by the game. That is the beauty of the sport and here I venture to list out some of the most famous ducks that have been seen in International cricket.

1. Sir Don Bradman in his last Test innings

Sir Don Bradman bowled for a duck

It was the 5th test in the Ashes of 1948. The Australians had already claimed the Ashes with a comprehensive 3-0 victory. Don Bradman had announced it as his last test match and the hype around the Test was all about how Bradman needed 4 runs to complete a milestone career average of 100.

However, little known leg spinner Eric Hollies will be forever remembered as the one who broke a million Australian hearts and denied the perfect farewell to its greatest player of all times. The leg spinner pitched up the second ball to Bradman, bowling Bradman for a duck with a googly that went between bat and pad as the Australian skipper leaned forward. Bradman appeared stunned by what had happened and slowly turned around and walked back to the pavilion, to a huge standing ovation and with tears in his eyes. Australia won the Test by an innings and 149 runs but the match was forever imprinted with this heartbreaking episode.

2. Sourav Ganguly in his last Test innings

Sourav Ganguly was out for a duck in his last innings

Two legends retired in the Test Series against Australia in 2008 in Anil Kumble and Saurav Ganguly but in spectacularly opposite fashion. Anil Kumble retired after bowling a brilliant spell in the 3rd Test Match that was drawn. Saurav Ganguly got out for a duck in the 4th Test that India won to pocket the series 2-0. Coming in to a standing ovation from the Nagpur crowd and the Australians in the middle, Dada was caught and bowled by Jason Krejza off the very first ball. The crowd was left speechless but soon joined in to applaud the final moment of an illustrious career.

3. Alastair Cook in his 100th Test

Alastair Cook – Golden duck in his 100th Test

The ongoing Ashes have been a horror show from the Englishmen who have been humiliated by the Australians in what was being billed as the revenge series. The recently completed third test that the Australians won by 150 runs were the 100th Test for both captains but as it is said “Someone’s misery is the other man’s merry”.

Alastair Cook was bowled by Ryan Harris for a golden duck to become the first batsman in cricketing history to be out for nil in his 100th Test. What’s surprising is that in his 99 Test matches before, Alastair Cook had never registered a first ball duck.

4. Maninder Singh in the 2nd Tied Test Vs Australia

Maninder Singh out for a duck in a thriller

The 2nd tied Test in cricketing history came in the 1052nd Test Match ever played and will always be remembered as the moment when Maninder Singh faltered. India were fortunate to be in any sort of winning position, Australia having declared their first innings at 574 early on the third day, while a generous second declaration left the home side 348 to win.

Maninder Singh had three balls from which to conjure the winning run in the final over of the Test, but he fatally played back to the second and was out lbw to spinner Matthews. The match was marked by extremely poor sportsmanship and became a thawing point in the cricketing history of the two countries.

5. Ian Botham in the 1992 World Cup final vs Pakistan

Wasim Akram shattered Ian Botham’s stumps

England has never won the World Cup till date but the moment they came closest was in 1992 when they lost by 22 runs to the Pakistanis. Star all-rounder Ian Botham had been England’s most lethal player till then and he was expected to produce another match winning performance.

However, he did falter and at the final stage with figures of 1 for 42 in 7 overs and a duck after being caught at the wicket off Wasim Akram. A fighting target of 250 went completely awry for the English who completely done by the duo of Akram and Mushtaq. No wonder, the defeat still haunts England’s greatest all rounder.