3 Cricketers who played international cricket after switching sports

Historically, cricket has been a sport that’s completely based on pure skills. Hence, there have been several legends of the game who would otherwise be deemed unfit for other sports. However, cricket has also seen several multi-talented athletes who could have built successful careers in other sports.

While some players pursued multiple sports simultaneously, others switched their complete focus to cricket and went on to represent their countries at the highest level. Here are three notable players who chose to be on the cricket field after trying their hands at other sports:

1. Jonty Rhodes

Jonty Rhodes is touted as the greatest fielder in cricket history, but cricket wasn’t his primary focus in his early days. The South African was a talented hockey player during his younger years and was selected for the national hockey squad for the 1992 Olympics.

However, he didn’t ultimately play at the Olympics after South Africa failed to qualify. He eventually focused entirely on cricket and made his international debut for South Africa in 1992. Rhodes went on to play 52 Tests and 245 ODIs, transferring his athleticism to the cricket pitch.

2. Ellyse Perry

Ellyse Perry is one of the most recognised women’s cricketers in the world, having played for Australia for almost two decades. Perry represented her country in both cricket and football, making her international cricket debut in 2007 before making her football debut for Australia later that year.

Perry represented Australia at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, becoming the only player to play both at the FIFA World Cup and the ICC Cricket World Cup. However, as her cricket career flourished, she gradually chose to concentrate solely on the sport.

3. Jeff Wilson

New Zealand's Jeff Wilson is one of the few players to represent his country internationally in two major sports. He made his international cricket debut for New Zealand in 1993.

Wilson then made his name in rugby, earning 60 caps for the All Blacks, scoring 44 tries to become an All Black Legend. He again made his cricket comeback in 2005, playing two ODIs and one T20I. A right-handed batsman and occasional bowler, Wilson played 6 ODIs for New Zealand.