7 instances when non-cricketers tried their hand at cricket

Bolt’s memorable sixIt is always nice to see something different once in a while. Not always does it work out - like Sophia Coppola acting, Diego Maradona managing a team, Justin Bieber singing - but it is still fun to watch people try something new.Similarly, seeing sportspeople from different sports trying their hand at cricket is a fantastic thing to see in itself. Cricket is one of the hardest games to play, not everyone can play it, so when personalities that are renowned for their endeavors in other sports lift the bat, it surely brings smiles to the faces of cricket aficionados.And here are some other sports personalities that tried their luck at playing the gentleman (minus Shahid Afridi) game...

#1 Rafael Nadal

We start off with the sport that is of the closest resemblance to cricket. As Rafael Nadal was in India playing in the Chennai Open, former Indian cricketer Krish Srikkanth didn’t let go of the opportunity to give the Spaniard a taste of the game that is considered a religion in India.

Before locking horns against Indian tennis player Karan Rastogi, the legendary Spaniard played a 10 minute friendly cricket match on a 16-yard pitch and played some fine strokes - including a ‘six’ - showing us that he does have the ability to play the game.

He took home the bat that he used to play as he wanted to try the game out more. One can never know if he ever geared up to swing his bat again, but he does have the potential to be a power-hitter.

#2 Fernando Llorente

After winning the World Cup with Spain, Fernando Llorente spent the next summer in India as the ambassador of ‘Save the Children’ campaign to raise awareness about the deaths of over 2 million children in India every year.

The Sevilla forward not only displayed the size of his heart, but also his skill at cricket as he didn’t let go of the opportunity to play cricket and lined up against kids to play a game of gully cricket.

Seeing the tall forward play the game was one of the rarest sight as cricket in Spain is like good music in party songs, let alone a Basque man playing it in a rural village in India.

#3 Roger Federer

Cricketer Federer

Roger Federer is a darling of many tennis fans. His graceful playing style and trophies count has made him one of the greatest - if not the greatest - player in the history of tennis.

And since tennis is the sport that resembles cricket the most, Roger Federer tried his luck at it - but that wasn’t the only reason.

As India were hit by the tsunami, Federer, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, brought delight to the hearts of the afflicted child survivors by taking up the bat and facing their bowling. He seemed to thoroughly enjoy it, much like the children that were around him.

#4 The Arsenal quartet

This is the most recent event of non-cricket players trying their hand at the sport. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had lots of free time during the summer transfer window, but the players kept themselves busy by taking the field against Essex County Cricket Club in a bowling contest.

Theo Walcott, Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gabriel Paulista and David Ospina were the candidates as they showed that playing cricket is not everybody’s cup of tea. While the 2 Englishmen hit the stumps on more than one occasion, the South American folks showed us why cricket isn’t a sport many are aware of in those regions.

And, judging the way the latter 2 bowled, it will be quite a while before their respective countries become good at cricket.

#5 Usain Bolt

The fastest man in the world could have been one of the greatest players of the sport had he not listened to his father and chose cricket instead of athletics.

This isn’t a claim out of the blue, but rather a calculated view as Bolt has time and again showed us his capabilities with the bat and ball. He once smacked Chris Gayle for a six and bowled him out as well. But that is not all.

He padded up against Yuvraj Singh’s XI in an exhibition match in Bangalore and led his team to a last-ball victory, making us wonder what could have been had he chose cricket.

#6 James Blake

And he is the second fastest man whose first love, according to himself, is cricket. Not so long ago, he confessed that he would play cricket for Yorkshire cricket club after hanging up his boots when he reaches the age of 29.

It has been reported that he can bowl at 85 to 90 miles an hour, but he is yet to go under the speed radar. He claims himself to be an all-rounder and that James Anderson is the bowler he is “most like.”

It’s not like he is a rookie at this sport, as he played for Kingston cricket club every Sunday and, if rumours are to be believed, was quite good at it. There is certainly no lack of quality Caribbean athletes who could become cricketers.

#7 Mark Webber

When India held its first ever Grand Prix in 2011, many elite-level drivers found themselves gracing the holy land of ‘Bharaat.’ While the tournament brought joy to the hearts of many F1-racing fans in India, it also became the cause of smiles in the faces of cricket fans.

In the land where cricket is breathed by almost everyone, Red Bull driver Mark Webber found it impossible to leave the country feeling complete without the “delicious food and a game of cricket.”

The Australian faced a number of balls from Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir at Noida International University and showed the world that the Aussies are, naturally, good at cricket.