Cricket Superstitions: The Rituals Players Swear By

Cricket has long been a sport deeply intertwined with superstition and ritual. Given the game's long duration, its dependence on form and confidence, and its sheer psychological complexity, it perhaps makes sense that players develop routines and beliefs that help them manage the mental demands of batting and bowling. Some superstitions are individual quirks; others are shared across the entire game.

The Nelson — 111

In English cricket, the number 111 is called 'The Nelson' — so named because Admiral Horatio Nelson allegedly had one eye, one arm, and one leg (though this is historically inaccurate). When the scoreboard shows 111, 211, 311, or any multiple-Nelson, English players and fans consider it an unlucky omen. David Shepherd, the famous England umpire, would hop from foot to foot whenever the score reached 111 to ward off bad luck — a beloved and celebrated ritual.

The Australian 87 — Devil's Number

In Australian cricket, 87 is considered the unlucky number — 13 short of a century. The belief is that batters are particularly vulnerable at 87 because they are so close to a hundred that they begin to think about the milestone and lose concentration. Many notable Australian wickets have fallen at 87, reinforcing the superstition across generations of players.

Not Washing Kit After a Win

Many cricketers refuse to wash a batting glove, pad, or kit item if they scored runs or the team won while using it. The logic is that washing might wash away the luck embedded in the item. This extends to socks, helmets, and even batting grips — some batters have been known to use grips for entire tours based on a single big innings.

Other Common Superstitions

• Always putting the left pad on first when batting
• Never leaving the crease during a batting partnership that is going well
• Avoiding the sight of a broken bat — considered an omen of a bad innings
• Wearing the same kit item throughout a good run of form
• Batting practice routines that must be followed in exact order