Cricket Quiz

Question: True or False?: A score of 111 by a batsman or a team is known by many as a “Nelson.”

Answer: Although the reason for this superstition is not categorically known, it is thought to have something to do with 111 resembling the three stumps that are at each end of the pitch. It is thought by the superstitious that bad things happen on this or multiples of this score (222 = a double Nelson, 333 = a triple Nelson, and so on).

Question: Cricket umpires use a large variety of signals to make sure that the correct scores are kept. What does it mean if an umpire raises both arms straight above his head?

Answer: When the umpire raises both arms straight above his head, it means the batsman has scored six runs.

Question: True or False?: The Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, first published in 1864, contains information and statistics about all aspects of cricket from any given year. It also known as the bible of cricket.

Answer: John Wisden published the first Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack in 1864. It has been in publication ever since, even during the two world wars.

Question: What is the name given to the biennial international Test cricket series played between England and Australia?

Answer: The Ashes series gets its name from an epitaph that was published in 1882 announcing the death of English cricket after the team’s first defeat by Australia in England.

Question: What is the slang term given to a ball that is bowled so well that it is considered unplayable by the batsman?

Answer: The term is thought to originate from the candy of the same name, which is a small orange-colored chocolate-filled ball.

Question: True or False?: Lord’s, the most famous of all English cricket grounds, got its name because of the popularity of the game with the English aristocracy.

Answer: Lord’s Cricket Ground was named after its founder, Thomas Lord.

Question: In which year were the first laws of cricket believed to have been written?

Answer: It is generally believed that in February 1774 the very first official laws of cricket were drawn up and adopted throughout England.

Question: True or False?: Three of Australia’s Test cricket captains were nicknamed Pugsley, Tubby, and Punter.

Answer: Allan Border (Pugsley)—named after a resemblance to the Addams Family character. Mark Taylor (Tubby)—due to his physical stature. Ricky Ponting (Punter)—renowned for his love of greyhound racing.

Question: Harold (“Dickie”) Bird is best known for his career in cricket as:

Answer: Harold (“Dickie”) Bird, born in Yorkshire in 1933, had a long and successful umpiring career in domestic and international cricket.

Question: For how many days is a Test match scheduled?

Answer: Considered by many to be the highest level of cricket competition, Test matches are played between the 10 official Test nations. A Test match is scheduled for five days, with three sessions of two hours interspersed with a 40-minute break for lunch and 20-minute break for afternoon tea per day.