6 Most selfless acts in cricket

Cricket is known to be a gentleman’s game since it’s inception. Irrespective of the result, the players of the two teams involved in the game are seen shaking each other’s hand appreciating their effort.

Even in this age of downfall where many critics have questioned if cricket still remains to be a gentleman’s game, the game has been enlightened with quite a few selfless acts from cricketers in the interest of their respective teams, teammates and the spirit of the game.

Here is a look at some of these self-sacrificing acts in last 40 years where the essence of cricket was kept alive on the cricket field:

1. Sir Richard Hadlee denying himself a 10-wicket haul:

New Zealand were playing Australia in 1985, the conditions were a little overcast in Brisbane and Sir Richard Hadlee made sure that people will remember him whenever this Test match is discussed; not only for his stupendous bowling but also for sacrificing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of achieving a milestone.

He had taken all the first 8 wickets to fall in the Australian innings and was on the verge of being only the second bowler after Jim Laker to take all 10 wickets in an innings before the catch for the 9th wicket came to him. It was eminently droppable as the ball travelled a few miles up in the air and Hadlee had to run backwards giving him enough time to think about the great milestone that lies ahead given the quality of the upcoming batsmen (combined batting average of 10) but ignoring all the perplexions, he selflessly took the catch.

He later took the 10th wicket and ended with 9 wickets in the innings and a much deserved standing ovation. He produced 6 more wickets in the second innings and ended with a 15-wicket haul in the match as New Zealand defeated Australia by an innings. Sports journalist Frank Keating described the catch as “Catch of the century, not because of the difficulty level but because of the selflessness Hadlee showed.” The famous catch was more special for the bowler as it aided Vaughan Brown to take the only wicket of his Test career.

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