Cricket is an exciting sport, and most of the time, batting first comes to mind. Explosive numbers usually stand out in cricket, so batsmen and bowlers are often the star players. Wicket-keepers also deserve a spotlight because they play a big role. 

Only a few players have mastered the art of wicket-keeping. One player who could arguably be the best to ever play the position is Jack Russell, one of England’s greatest players in its long history.

Russell had unmatched technical skill

During his career, Russell was known for his quick hands, but he was more than that. He was a master technician with his movements behind the stumps. Precision was always a big part of his glove work, which impressed the fans who watched the matches. 

Russell rarely missed a beat, as he easily dealt with late movement off the seam or a variable bounce. It is tough to keep up with top-tier players like England’s spin-bowling maestro Phil Tufnell or swinging bowler Angus Fraser.

Adaptability was one of Russell’s biggest strengths as he kept playing around the world on suboptimal pitches, but his footwork never wavered.

His consistency made him a technically proficient wicket-keeper who continues to be the gold standard. That makes him one of the best in his position during his time, and possibly the greatest ever.

Russell had many iconic performances and records

The aesthetics of his game were not the best part of Russell’s game. He combined that elegant play with some of the best numbers and performances you can get from a wicket-keeper. 

Russell’s most iconic moment came during a match against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1995. He had a match-saving 93 not out, which showed his mental toughness and technical skill under pressure.

In first-class cricket, Russell racked up 540 dismissals, including 1,192 catches and 91 stumpings. Those numbers place him in the top tier of keepers. For England, he played 54 Tests and 40 One-Day Internationals, which he kept contributing to as a crucial keeper.

A strong cultural and cricketing influence

Russell was more than just a cricketer because he was a character off the field. He left a lasting impression on people who liked English cricket as he was famous for his fun training routines, painting skills, and even his love for tea. He can be described as a cult hero for England, as he was a serious player, but he had some eccentric tastes.

His legacy remains strong today because he inspired the modern-day keepers. Players like Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow see him as their idol, which should cement Russell as one of the best, even the outright best.

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Many believe in superstitions and lucky charms, and cricket’s biggest names are no exception. From strange habits to lucky items, discover the quirky beliefs some of the greatest cricket stars follow for good luck on the pitch.

Sachin Tendulkar’s left pad 

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in history, had a unique pre-match ritual: he always put on his left leg pad first before walking onto the field. 

It might seem like a harmless quirk to normal eyes, but for Tendulkar, it was part of a deeply ingrained routine. He has often downplayed this as a ‘habitâ€?rather than a superstition. 

Steve Waugh’s red handkerchief

One of the sport’s most respected players, Australian cricketer Steve Waugh, had a small, deeply personal superstition: he carried a red handkerchief during matches. This handkerchief was a gift from his grandmother, and it holds sentimental value to him. 

As years passed, it became more than a keepsake and became his lucky charm. For Waugh, the handkerchief likely provided comfort and a psychological boost, reminding him of family and grounding him during high-pressure moments.

Neil McKenzie’s strange rituals

South African cricket star Neil McKenzie is a well-known batsman but had his fair share of strange rituals before a game. In the dressing room, he ensures that all the toilet lids are closed. 

Another one is rooted in a prank made by his teammate, where they taped his cricket bat to the ceiling. In the next game, he hit a century. After that, he taped his bat to the ceiling before every big game. 

Jack Russell’s hat

Former English wicketkeeper Jack Russell is known for his ‘eccentricityâ€?and fun ways of keeping himself in tip-top shape every match. One of these ways is wearing the same hat every game for decades. 

He insisted on wearing the cricket hat and even threatened not to play in the 1996 World Cup if he was not allowed to wear it. The management gave up and let him as long as the Three Lions are stitched to it. At one point, it caught fire when he was drying it in the oven, but it survived and lived to see more games. 

Rohit Sharma’s routine

The top-notch batsman of India, Rohit Sharma, is known for his impressive and elegant batting style and pre-game routines. Before a match, he ensures that he finishes a good cup of coffee. After that, he calls his wife to say ‘hiâ€?to relieve the pent-up pressure of the upcoming game. 

Upon stepping on the pitch, he makes sure his right foot lands first and then hits a few balls before the match starts. Once he’s in, he focuses on a single spot in the stadium and keeps his gaze fixed on it to help maintain focus when under pressure.

Sunil Gavaskar’s dressing room seat

Sunil Gavaskar is a cricket legend of the Indian local scene, and even he is not safe from superstitions. He once said in an interview that he has a permanent seat in their team dressing room where he sits for a long time before a game. After his retirement, he went there again to check it and found it was a designated spot for the 12th man. 

He is also known for putting his left pad and shoe first before the right ones, believing it brings him good luck. 

Virender Sehwag’s jersey 

India’s most fearless and entertaining opener, Virender Sehwag, is famous for wearing a jersey with no number. Initially, he had the number �4,�but his mother believed it was unlucky and asked him to change it. His wife also told him to change to number �.�/p>

To avoid discord, he chose to wear a jersey with no number on it. It had problems with the local council, but they accepted it after hearing his explanation. He continued to wear the no-number jersey throughout his career.

Exploring the world of cricket superstitions 

Cricket is a high-pressure sport that requires focus, so to relieve it, a lot of them have superstitions and habits before the game starts—and sure enough, cricket superstars also do the same. These can range from wearing a specific piece of gear to stepping onto the field in a particular way.

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