Cricket is considered the gentleman’s game. The game played by the British, was conducted in a typical English mannerism. When the game grew to different countries, the way the game played also changed. The intensity and the competitiveness of the game improved with more and more teams playing the game and helped the spread and popularity of the game. This article will explore cricket rivalries which added to the romance of the sport.

Presented by Raghunath Nair

Date: 03/07/2023

Introduction

Cricket rivalries have a rich history and play a significant role in the game. The history of cricket rivalries spans across formats, as teams that may not excel in one format can be ultra-competitive in another. Cricket has always been a very competitive game and when two teams who match equally play the game, competitive sparks are bound to fly and this makes the game even more brilliant to watch. Rivalries differ from format to format of the game. Teams who may not be strong in the longer format of the game, may be ultra-competitive in the shortest version of the game and vice versa.

While Rivalries are built over a period of time, it may not be restricted only on the cricket field. Sometimes Rivalries exist due to geo political reasons too.

Rivalries between teams may also help in building a loyal fan base who share an equal sentiment.

Rivalries may also not necessarily be between countries, it could be between counties (England), cities, club teams in franchise sport etc. With the opening up of franchise sport, fans are split within families who support and follow teams they like which makes watching of the game together even more fun with healthy competition (in most occasion).

Most Rivalries are intense and the game runs on a knives edge and even a small stimulus can cause reactions within the game.

History of Cricket Rivalries 

England vs Australia

England during their rule, between 1788 and 1868 used Australia to send their prisoners/ convicts as punishment for crimes committed in Britan and Ireland. More than 162,000 convicts were transported to Australia. This was one of the triggers which made these two countries become highly competitive against each other especially in sports

England and Australian Cricket were always very competitive and when a satirical was written after England had their first ever defeat on home soil at the Oval in 1882, gave birth to the biggest Test rivalry – “The Ashes”

England and Australia have been at each other and both teams played against each other at a level higher which made the Ashes, the greatest rivalry of cricket.

When bodyline was introduced to tame the Australian batsman and especially the world’s best Sir Don Bradman, the English captain, Douglas Jardin was the most hated man in Australia. Rules were changed post the series on the bodyline tactics. But relations between the two countries became very uncomfortable. The Australian Fans also played their role in ruffling the feathers which made the rivalry so intense that it nearly created political tensions between the two countries and fearing an economic backclash, the then Australian Prime Minister had to apologies for the same.

The Australians never forgot the bodyline series loss and came back strongly 40 years to England shores with their “two lethal weapons”- Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson bruising and breaking bones and spirit of the English batsmen.

Over the years the Rivalry has become much more dignified but the celebrations after a series win in the Ashes is a national event in both countries.

Rivalries helped both the countries unearth some of the best cricketers like Ian Botham, Shane Warne, Glen MacGrath, Kevin Peterson, Freddy Flintoff and more who always gave that extra during the Ashes.

Ashes Series along with the Border Gavaskar Trophy are the two most watched Test Series in the world.