SIX OF THE BEST: CELEBRATIONS

IS CRICKET TURNING INTO FOOTBALL?

The Sprinkler Dance, Australia v England at Melbourne, 2010/11

Described by Andrew Strauss as England’s version of the Haka. Led by Graeme Swann in front of a jubilant England crowd on the outfield of the MCG after England had retained the Ashes, it had been a regular feature of Swann’s video diaries during the tour, with the credit going to Paul Collingwood for inventing it. The Barmy Army, and even the BBC’s cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew performed it too.

Denesh Ramdin’s note to Sir Viv Richards, England v West Indies at Edgbaston, 2012

After scoring just his second hundred in 45 Test innings, Denesh Ramdin reached for his pocket and held up a piece of paper with the scrawl: “Yea Viv, Talk Nah.” It was directed at Sir Viv Richards, who was commentating for Test Match Special. Richards explained: “I think I remember saying he’d lost his confidence.” Ramdin was fined 20 per cent of his match fee but admitted: “I still look up to him.”

Ravindra Jadeja’s Sword Dance, England v India at Lord’s, 2014

Fresh from a hostile encounter with Jimmy Anderson at Trent Bridge in the previous Test, India allrounder Ravindra Jadeja reacted with a flamboyant 68 to set up a historic win for the tourists at Lord’s. His celebration on reaching 50 was as colourful as his innings as he whirled his bat from hand to hand as if it were a sword. An inspired India completed a 95-run victory in due course, levelling the series 1-1, but England surged back to win the next three Tests.

Gangnam Style, Sri Lanka v West Indies at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, 2012

Before Dwayne Bravo’s Champion, there was Chris Gayle’s Gangnam Style, borrowed from the South Korean artist Psy. West Indies claimed their first World T20, inspired by a superb all-round performance from Marlon Samuels, and Gayle led his team-mates in a Gangnam Style celebration. India also paraded the Gangnam around Edgbaston after winning the 2013 Champions Trophy.

Nasser Hussain’s three fingers, England v India at Lord’s, 2002

After being criticised for occupying the No.3 position in England’s ODI batting order, captain Nasser Hussain responded by scoring 115 at Lord’s in the NatWest Series final. Hussain turned his back on the media centre and pointed to the number ‘3’ on his shirt, then raised three fingers up to the onlooking journalists. England lost a thrilling encounter, with India chasing down a target of 326 with three balls to spare. 

Dave Langford-Smith’s Chicken Dance, 2007 World Cup

Ireland made many friends in the Caribbean during the 2007 World Cup, tying with Zimbabwe and beating Pakistan on St Patrick’s Day. The Irish love affair was deepened with the celebrations of Dave Langford-Smith, an Australian-turned-Irishman, who did a chicken dance whenever he took a wicket or catch. And to think fewer Associate nations will not be at the 2019 World Cup.