3 unbelievable cricket coincidences

In the rich 149-year history of international cricket, fans have witnessed almost everything on the ground. From breathtaking innings to game-changing bowling spells, the pitch has seen it all. However, there have still been a few incidents that have left the aficionados of the game scratching their heads in confusion.

These moments seemed ordinary from the outset, but when examined carefully, they turned out to be one of the most mind-boggling coincidences the sport has ever seen. Here are three such unbelievable coincidences in cricket:

1. Number 11 appearing everywhere

The first Test between Australia and South Africa played at Newlands, Cape Town in 2011, is one of the most dramatic games the sport has ever seen. After Australia scored 284 in their first innings, South Africa got skittled for just 96 on Day 2. However, the Proteas made a remarkable comeback with the ball and got Australia all out for just 47 on the same day. Chasing a 236-run target in the fourth innings, South Africa’s scorecard left everyone stunned on Day 3 of the match.

At 11:11 am on 11/11/2011, the Proteas needed 111 runs to win, a combination of numbers never seen before during a cricket match.

2. Alec Stewart’s Test runs tally

Alec Stewart is regarded as one of the finest batters to have ever played for England. He was born on April 8, 1963 and made his Test debut in February 1990. The wicketkeeper-batter played 133 Tests for his country and scored 8463 runs, exactly as his Date of Birth (8/4/63), a unique coincidence.

3. Same result in 1st and centenary Test match

Australia and England played the very first Test match in the history of the game on March 15, 1877, in Melbourne, where Australia emerged victorious by 45 runs. Later, to mark a hundred years of Test cricket, the two teams faced off at the same venue on 12th March 1977. Australia again won the Test match, and much to everyone’s surprise, they had the same margin of victory in the centenary Test as well, winning by 45 runs.