Top 5 things that once happened in cricket but now sound crazy

Cricket has evolved drastically over the years and has become immensely popular across the globe. A game invented by the British and once largely confined to their colonies has now expanded to countries and regions unimaginable a century ago.

The International Cricket Council (ICC), cricket’s apex governing body, now has 108 member nations spread across Europe (34), East Asia‑Pacific (11), Asia (24), the Americas (17), and Africa (22).

To ensure the game is embraced worldwide and finds unconditional love, the ICC has introduced several changes to make it a worthwhile viewing experience. As a result of these constant changes, the sport has taken on its modern avatar and relinquished certain facets that were once inseparable from it. Let’s take a look at five things that once happened in cricket but now sound crazy:

#5 Timeless Tests

Modern fans are accustomed to the ongoing debate over whether Test cricket should remain five days or be reduced to four. But they may find it shocking that teams once played timeless Tests. This practice continued until the 1970s, when five‑day Tests became the norm.

#4 Eight‑ball overs

Matches in earlier decades featured eight‑ball overs. The six‑ball over only became standard practice from the 1979‑80 season.

#3 No room for neutral umpires

While other sports had long adopted neutral officials, cricket only embraced the concept in 1986‑87. For over a century, home umpires officiated Tests, clinging to the sport’s gentlemanly image. But by the late 1970s and 80s, umpiring became contentious, with accusations of bias and TV replays exposing errors.

The turning point came in 1986‑87, when Pakistan invited Indian umpires VK Ramaswamy and PD Reporter to officiate against West Indies. Seeds of change were sown, and three years later England’s John Hampshire and John Holder stood in India’s tour of Pakistan.

#2 Aluminium bat

Many remember Australia's Dennis Lillee for his fearsome pace and ability to rip through batting orders. But Lillee stirred the hornet's nest with a mind-boggling batting act in the Perth Test against England in December 1979.

Lillee came out to bat with an aluminium bat in the first innings, and it incensed the England captain Mike Brearley. Brearley made his displeasure known to the umpires Max O'Connell and Don Weser, and Lillee had to switch to a wooden bat. The aluminium bat was subsequently banned.

#1 Women’s ODI World Cup preceded men’s

Despite the women’s game gaining popularity only in recent years and still trailing the men’s in terms of visibility and parity, its history contains remarkable firsts. A clear reminder of how far women’s cricket has lagged is the fact that it took until 2026 for the first women’s Test to be staged at Lord’s, the Home of Cricket.

Yet, a fact that now sounds almost unbelievable is that the inaugural Women’s ODI World Cup was held in 1973, two years before the men’s edition. England won that tournament, etching their name in history.