Cricket is a volatile game. Anything can happen at any moment. Thus, in a serious moment, the game can throw up a few funny moments. These moments can be devastating for the batting side in the form of comical run-outs.In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 most funny run-outs in cricket.
Klusener/Donald v Australia, 1999
South Africa were fighting Australia in the semi-final of the 1999 World Cup. They needed 9 runs from the last over with one wicket to spare to enter the finals. Klusener hit 2 consecutive boundaries off the first two balls. He couldn’t score the single on his third ball and was desperate to score a single on the fourth ball. He ran as soon as he hit the ball, but to the utter surprise of everyone else, Allan Donald was rooted to the other end and started running too late. He was run-out, and South Africa crashed out of the World Cup. Despite its tragic context, the run-out looks funny on later viewings.
Alastair Cook v India, 2012
The England captain was going strong at 190. The fumny moment began when Pietersen was on strike and Cook at the other end. Cook attempted a run and had returned safely back to his crease after being denied. It was then that a throw from Virat Kohli startled Cook, who raised his bat in order to avoid getting hit. The ball went on to crash into the stumps. The prolific batsman instantly regretted his decision and looked distraught. The Indians were delighted as they got a big wicket, that too in a completely unexpected way.
Misbah-ul-Haq vs India
In the first Test of the 2007 Test series between India and Pakistan, Misbah-ul-Haq showcased a unique method of getting out.The Indian bowling department kept the opposition batters in control, and Misbah-ul-Haq occupied the crease for more than 200 balls. But while batting on a score of 82, he played a shot on the off-side and called his partner through for a single.
When he was about to reach the crease at the other end, he jumped to evade Dinesh Karthik’s throw from the deep. Little did he know that the throw would result in a direct-hit and he would get himself run-out in bizarre fashion.
Azhar Ali vs Australia
After a win in the first Test, Pakistan were looking solid once again in the second. Azhar Ali was batting beautifully and had just scored a half-century in the second innings.
But then a brain-freeze moment left the entire world shocked. After getting a thick edge off Peter Siddle towards the third-man region, Ali walked towards the non-striker end, thinking that the ball had reached the boundary.
However, the ball had stopped close to the boundary before Mitchell Starc threw it to captain Tim Paine, who dislodged the bails
Virendra Sehwag vs Sri Lanka
If anyone made a compilation of the laziest run-outs in cricket, Virender Sehwag’s run-out against Sri Lanka in 2007 in Visakhapatnam would probably be right at the top.Having played a cut-shot, Sehwag wanted a single. He jogged his way across the 22-yards but he didn’t enter the crease.The throw from the deep hit the stumps directly and brought an entertaining knock of 46 runs to an end.
AB de Villiers vs Zimbabwe
In a match between South Africa and Zimbabwe played at the Harare Sports Cub, AB de Villiers got out in the worst possible manner.De Villiers faced Prosper Utseya while batting on a score of one. Utseya bowled a ball down the leg-side, which the batsman tried to nudge past the keeper Richmond Mutumbami.
As soon as the ball went past him, De Villiers looked for a single. But he didn’t realise that the ball hadn’t gone past the keeper, who obliged and took off the bails.As funny as it looked, De Villiers went off the field infuriated with himself, leaving everyone, including his team-mates, more surprised than upset.
Rickey Ponting vs England
In the memorable 2005 Ashes series, Australian captain Ricky Ponting endured one of the harshest run-outs in the history of the game: by the 12th man. Australia were asked to follow-on and were still 104 runs behind when the incident occurred.
Damien Martyn played Andrew Flintoff with soft hands and ran for a single. Ponting obliged and was heading towards the batting end, but substitute fielder Gary Pratt hit the stumps, catching Ponting short of the crease.
Adam Zampa vs Melbourne Renegades
In a Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Stars and the Melbourne Renegades, Adam Zampa inflicted a run-out which he wouldn’t want to relive.
Dwayne Bravo hit Zampa’s full-toss straight at non-striker Peter Nevill’s bat, which ricocheted off the bowler’s nose to hit the stumps. Thankfully, Zampa escaped any major injury but Nevill had to make his way back to the pavilion.
Simon katich vs South Africa
South Africa’s De Villiers features on this list again – but this time for the fantastic run-out he pulled off to dismiss Simon Katich in the famous series where 400 runs were scored for the first time in ODIs.
In an ODI between South Africa and Australia, Australia were going smoothly at 99 for 1, when an Andrew Hall delivery was played by Katich a short distance away from De Villiers at cover. As Katich scampered for a run, a diving De Villiers threw the ball while cartwheeling at the same time.
To everyone’s surprise, the throw hit the stumps directly and induced a run-out.
Once the replays were shown, it was clear that De Villiers wasn’t looking at the stumps or the batsman while attempting the throw.
Inzamam-ul-Haq vs England
Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq’s batting prowess is well-known, but he is equally well-known for his terrible running between the wickets.
One of his dismissals, in the second Test against England in Faisalabad, reflected this quite vividly. Inzamam brought about his own downfall by failing to return to the crease after playing a defensive stroke to Steven Harmison.
Harmison’s direct throw at the stumps was signalled out by the umpires, sending Inzamam, who was batting on over 100, back to the dressing room.