Which brothers have played cricket the most matches together?

#5 Steve Waugh and Mark Waugh

Unarguably, Steve Waugh and Mark Waugh remain the best pair of brothers to ever play the game. Amassing more than 18000 Test runs and 52 centuries between them, the twins were instrumental to Australia's dominance during the late 90s and early 2000s.

By the time Mark made his Test debut, Steve had already bagged 42 caps and proved his utility as a seam all-rounder. However, a sudden dip in form resulted in the latter facing the axe during the 1990/91 season. Ironically, Steve was replaced in the lineup by his twin brother.

Eventually, the duo established themselves in the Australian set-up and featured in a whopping 108 Tests together. Mark was captained by his twin brother in 40 of those matches.

#4 Ian Chappell and Greg Chappell

When captain Greg Chappell instructed his younger brother Trevor to bowl under-arm to prevent New Zealand's attempt at scoring six runs off the final ball during an ODI in 1981, his elder brother Ian overcame familial bond and condemned the incident on air. However, there was much more to the legacy of the Chappell brothers than that infamous episode.

All three brothers played Test cricket for Australia with varying degrees of success. While Ian was renowned as a master tactician, Greg established himself as one of the finest batsmen of all-time. The duo played together in 43 Tests with the Aussies winning as many as 22 of those matches. On the other hand, Trevor could only manage three appearances in whites.

#3 Andy Flower and Grant Flower

Often carrying the hopes of the entire Zimbabwean batting lineup on their able shoulders, Andy Flower and Grant Flower played together in 61 Tests. However, their team was able to win only six of those matches. Nevertheless, the brothers scored more than 8000 runs between them at the highest level of the game.

While Andy also managed to account for 151 dismissals behind the stumps, Grant's gentle left-arm spin fetched him 25 Test wickets too. Even though it has been some time since they have retired from the game, their affection and respect for one another can be perceived from the fact that Grant convinced his elder brother to tour Pakistan as part of the World XI team.

#2 Mohinder Amarnath and Surinder Amarnath

Mohinder Amarnath, younger to Surinder by two years, was the first of the two brothers to represent India in Tests. One of the most courageous batsmen of his time, Mohinder's inspirational record against the menacing West Indies attack stands as a testament to his willpower.

Unlike his younger brother, Surinder was a left-handed batsman. Even though he had a brilliant start to his Test career, the Kanpur-born cricketer could only manage ten appearances in the game's traditional format with Mohinder also featuring in eight of those matches. Rajinder, youngest of the three brothers, also played first-class cricket. It is pertinent to note that their father Lala Amarnath was the first Indian batsman to score a Test century.

#1 Shaun Marsh and Mitchell Marsh

Shaun and Mitchell Marsh are probably the most recognizable pair of brothers in the present-day international circuit. While the elder one has featured in 23 Tests and scored four centuries, the latter has bagged 21 caps without making any discernible impact thus far. Together, the Marsh brothers have featured in seven Tests with Australia winning four of those matches.

Sorry for deviating from the question..

Coming to it it must obviously be Steve-Mark Waugh Brothers..

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Why is it that in cricket over is of 6 balls?

 Cricket didn't start with a six-ball over—it started with just four. It took a century of wasted daylight, exhausted fast bowlers, and grueling eight-ball experiments to find the perfect balance.

The original four-ball structure had a major flaw: it required the fielding team to constantly switch ends. Changing the field and swapping umpires every four deliveries wasted daylight and slowed the game's pace to a crawl. Furthermore, a 4-ball limit meant a bowler barely had enough time to build a rhythm, set a trap, or figure out a batsman's weaknesses before the over ended.

Cricket authorities knew 4 deliveries was too few, so they began tinkering. In 1889, the standard over was bumped to 5 balls. In 1900, England moved it to 6. But the experimentation didn't stop there. By 1922, Australia decided 6 wasn't enough and increased the over to 8 balls. Soon, New Zealand and South Africa followed suit. For decades, international rules were fractured: if you played a Test match in England, you bowled 6-ball overs, but if you toured Australia, you faced 8-ball overs.

The 8-ball over solved the time-wasting issue, but it created an entirely new problem: bowler exhaustion. Fast bowling is incredibly physically demanding, and asking a fast bowler to sprint in and deliver 8 balls at maximum effort in a single over increased the risk of injury. A longer over also caused the ball itself to take a disproportionate amount of wear and tear from one end of the pitch before the bowling direction swapped.

Eventually, international cricket boards standardized on the median. By the 1979/1980 season, the 8-ball over was officially scrapped worldwide. Today, the 6-ball over is the universal rule for Test and limited-overs formats, providing exactly enough deliveries for a bowler to build pressure on a batsman without draining their stamina or wasting the crowd's time with constant field changes.

A red cricket ball sits in the grass at a London cricket ground. Photo by Acabashi (Wikimedia Commons) is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

What are some other one-run victories in cricket history that kept fans on the edge of their seats?

 Imagine you need just 4 runs off 7 balls with 4 wickets intact and an established batsman on the non striker end. And you still lose the match!!

West Indies vs South Africa, 2005

This was the third ODI of the bilateral series between the two teams. South Africa whitewashed West Indies in both tests and ODI'S. This particular ODI was important for South Africa to win the series as they had won the first two matches of the five match series. West Indies didn't wanted to lose a series in their home.

So South Africa batted first and with the help of century from Boeta Dippenaar and 87 from Jack Kallis, scored 284/6 in 50 overs. West Indies counter attacked and Chris Gayle scored a brilliant century to take West Indies deep. At one point West Indies were playing at 258/5 at 45.3 overs needing 27 off 27 balls. This is when Gayle got out for 132 runs. But West Indies had Dwayne Bravo at the crease along with Brown and Bradshaw to follow who just a few months ago had stitched a partnership of 70 runs for the 9th wicket to win the champions trophy for West Indies. Brown and Bravo played cautiously and By 48.5 overs West Indies were on the verge of victory with the score 281/6. And here we saw a massive collapse.

48.6 Courtney Brown tried to hit a big shot and Andre Nel caught him on the bowling of Makahya Ntini. By the time the catch was taken the batsman cross - Big mistake because it meant that the tailenders were at the crease at the end of the over.

Last over to be bowled by Charles Langeveldlt (9–0–60–2)

First ball single by Bradshaw, WI 282/7

Second ball single by Bravo, again a big mistake, the established batsman should have kept the strike with himself, WI 283/7, only 2 runs need off 4 balls.

Third ball, Bradshaw swings, stumps rattled, WI 283/8, 2 needed off 3 balls.

Fourth ball, played by Darren Powell, again a swing and a miss, ball on stumps, bowled, WI 283/9, 2 needed off 2 balls

Fifth ball, played by Collymore, batsman tries to play, ball hits the pad, huge appeal and up goes the finger, Langeveldt took a Hattrick and a 5 wicket hall.

South Africa won the match by just 1 run. Langeveldt became the first South African player to take a hattrick in ODI'S

Some really careless and unthoughtful batting by West Indies and brilliant bowling in the death overs by South Africa cost WI the match which was set for them on the platter by Chris Gayle.

What is the biggest 6 in meters in cricket?

 Well if we talk about Cricket the first thing that come to our mind is about 6 in cricket by players. There are many players whom people like watching hitting big sixes.

Let's have a look over top 10 six in the cricket history:

#10 Ijaz Ahmad (115m)

Pakistan’s Ijaz Ahmed played some amazing displays on the cricket field. He is might have been an understated cricketer, but he managed to draw attention towards himself and his batting style with an incredible sixer of 115 m. It was a match in 1999, when Pakistan faced India at Mohali. Interestingly, the entire match saw just two sixes, both of which were scored by Ahmed.

#9 Chris Gayle/ Corey Anderson (116)

West Indian batsman Chris Gayle and New Zealand player Corey Anderson both hold the record for the ninth biggest sixer recorded in the history of cricket. Gayle’s biggest sixer came in 2010 in the World Twenty20 tournament at Bridgetown. Gayle turned a delivery by India’s Yusuf Pathan into a 116 m stunner! Anderson, on the other hand, sent a ball to the roof in an ODI match of 2014, at Napier, though he too, did so in a match against India.

#8 Shahid Afridi (117m)

Back in January 2005, Afridi was on the crease, defending Pakistan against Australia, at Perth, when he turned a delivery into a 117 m sixer, making the stadium erupt in joy and excitement.

#7 Mahendra Singh Dhoni (118m)

India’s dependable batsman and captain, MS Dhoni, has always been known for his stunning shots, especially the helicopter shots. Some of the most attractive sixes in recent cricket have been scored by none other than Dhoni. In March 2009, he scored a massive 118 m six during India’s tour in New Zealand. He hit a majestic shot that stunned everyone, and after doing so, he did not even turn around to look at the ball! Now that’s confidence!

#6 Yuvraj Singh (119m)

Yuvraj Singh is one of the most notable batsmen of India, known for his big hits and spectacular displays on the field. He found the place in the list of players to have hit the top 10 biggest sixes in cricket when he hit an enormous one in September 2007 during the Twenty-20 World Cup match against Australia. Brett Lee sent a delivery his way, and Yuvi turned it into the most memorable six of this career. India eventually went on to win the t20 World Cup 2007.

#5 Mark Waugh (120m)

Australia’s celebrated and extremely talented batsman, Mark Waugh, was known for his elegant style of batting. And, he found his way in the list of players who have managed to hit the biggest sixers in cricketing history. This gifted stroke-master took the breath away from all those people watching the match when he turned a Daniel Vettori delivery into a massive sixer in a match against the arch-rival of the Aussies, i.e. New Zealand, in 1997.

#4 Jacob Oram (130m)

New Zealand representative Jacob Oram acquires the 4th position on the list of players who have hit the top 10 biggest sixes of all time. His 130 m shot, one of the longest sixes, was hit in a One Day International match against Australia back in 2006. As the Kiwis chased a huge score of 332 at Sydney to defeat their arch-rivals, Oram sent the ball across the ground.

#3 Brett Lee (148m)

In a T-20 match against West Indies, Australia’s immensely talented bowler and the 2nd Fastest bowler in the Cricket History. Brett Lee hit one of the top 10 biggest sixes ever in the history of the sport. It was a delivery by Rovman Powell that met such a fate in the hands of the Australian. This time, Lee hit the ball with a cracking sound that resonated across the noisy stadium, and sent the ball to the roof of the Gabba ground!

#2 Shahid Afridi (158m)

In the second place on the list of the biggest Six in cricket of all time is the hit by Shahid Afridi, with his 158 meters hit in the year 2013. It was a match in which Pakistan faced West Indies in an away match. Afridi, who was known as Boom Boom Afridi and the King of Sixes back then, took a delivery that e sent right into the neighbouring golf course, and turned into the biggest six ever in the history of cricket! It was a remarkable six!

#1 Albert Trott (160+m)

Albert Trott sits at the top of the list of the players to have scored the top 10 biggest sixes in cricket of all time. He represented both England and Australia on an international level, which was only possible in the 1900s when he used to play. Ironically, he set the record for the biggest sixer in cricket in a match between England and Australia! His 160 m sixer cleared the Lord’s Pavilion!

P.S. : Google

(Source: google)

What is the craziest thing a cricketer has done on the field during a match?

 India vs England, 2014

The first test match between India and England was heading towards a draw with India scoring 385/8 with 3 overs remaining (India saved the match courtesy the tailenders like Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami). So nobody was expecting any result and to kill time Cook decide to do bowling something he has rarely done in any form of cricket.

So Cook rather than bowling with a regular bowling action started imitating the bowling action of different Bowlers, particularly imitating Bob Willis, a bowler he had imitated in the county cricket as well. Commentators started guessing which bowler is he going to imitate now. Even tha batsman Ishant Sharma was enjoying the process.

And then suddenly he nicked a ball on the leg side and it was taken by Matt Prior. And jokingly Cook got his first and only Test wicket!! The match ended in a draw with Shami hitting a four off Cook. With this Cook ended his bowling career with one wicket in 3 overs (he had bowled 1 over in 2008) and with an economy rate of 2.33 which is impressive. Wish he had bowled more.

What has been the biggest turnaround in a cricket match to date?

 India vs England 2006 1st ODI

I Still don't know how India managed to win this match. Except for the last 20 overs India was never in contention of the match. And still they won by a good margin of 39 runs

So India batted first and lost Sehwag early. Dravid and Gambhir scored quick ruins and India was 56/1. But then the fast bowlers of England- Anderson, Plunkett, Ali and Flintoff took India to the cleaners. Suddenly India was at 80/5. Suresh Raina and Irfan Pathan stitched a partnership. The runrate dipped to less than 4 and there was hardly any intention to score runs. It was a matter of survival. The only spinner Blackwell have only 24 runs in his 10 overs. Raina and Pathan got out in quick succession. And then Harbhajan Singh played strokes to ensure India etch past 200 mark. MS Dhoni just played the anchor scoring 20 runs while Harbhajan scored 37. These 4 players (Raina, Pathan, Dhoni, Harbhajan) scored more than half of the runs for the team as team India bundled out for 203 runs in 46.4 overs.

England had a very shaky start with Pathan picking up two wickets in the very first over and England were 4/2. After that Kevin Peterson came to the crease and along with Matt Prior shared a quick 53 runs partnership. Harbhajan Singh was brought to attack and Prior played an unnecessary aerial shot to get out. Then came Flintoff and both Perterson and Flintoff hit Indian bowlers all over the park particularly hitting Sreesanth for big sixes.

England were comfortably placed at 117/3 in 19 overs scoring at more than 6 runs per over. And then came the turnaround.

Yuvraj Singh was introduced to bowling and in the 5th ball of the over Kevin Peterson slog swept him which was caught at the deep. 117/4. Peterson scored 46 runs

In the next over Harbhajan Singh was brought back to the attack and instantly he got Flintoff LBW. Flintoff got out for 41. 117/5

In his next over Harbhajan Singh bowled a slow yorker length ball which rattled the stumps of G Jones. England 120/6

Ian Blackwell and Paul Collingwood played cautiously but after a point Blackwell also couldn't resist a slog sweep on Harbhajan Singh. He was again caught on the leg side. England 137/7.

Collingwood was playing defensively so fielders were brought close in. And eventually he was caught at silly point. Harbhajan Singh got his 5th wicket. England 142/8.

In the very next over Yuvraj got Kabir Ali LBW for 0. England 142/9.

The last pair of Anderson and Plunkett offered some resistance. They added 22 runs playing the final overs of Harbhajan and Yuvraj. Harbhajan ended with 31/5 and Yuvraj 32/2.

Eventually Pathan got Plunkett out for 14 and England ended with 164 runs. England could have won the match easily had they resisted their temptation to slog sweep trying to hit sixes. Kevin Peterson, Matt Prior and Iam Blackwell got out by playing aerial shots. Some really good bowling by Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj allowed India to win the match for India and defend a low total.

Which is the best century in the history of world cricket?

 A Century can be considered as best by looking at multiple factors like, strength of the bowling line up against which that century came, pressure condition, level of difficulty for batting in that pitch.

Best century in odi cricket format according to me is Chris Gayle 133 runs against south africa

In 2006, because of Chris Gayle century West Indies able to won champion trophy semi final match. It was a century made with semifinal pressure, against a strong bowling line up which includes, sahun pollock, nitni and jay kallis.

South Africa made a fighting Total of 258, which was not easy to chase against a bowling line up which south africa had at that time.

Best century in T20 format according to me is Chris Gayle 117 runs against south africa

Chris Gayle made 117 runs in 56 balls with a strike rate over 200, against a strong bowling line up which includes sahun pollock, mhakaya nitni, morne morkel and phillendar, this century was more special because it was made on South African ground which was not batting friendly.

Best century in test match according to me is Sunil Gavaskar 147 not out against West Indies in the year 1983

In that match Sunil Gavaskar played against the most brutal and greatest bowling line up in the cricket history, a bowling line up which includes, malcolm marshall, Michael holding, geol garner and Andy Robert who are considered as greatest bowlers in cricket history, Sunil Gavaskar made this century in West Indies ground which are not batting friendly more favourable for fast balling in 80s.

Best double century in ODI according to me is Sachin Tendulkar double century against South Africa

He made this double century against a strong bowling line up of South Africa which includes bowlers like dayel styen and jaque kallis.

Best double century in test cricket history according to me is Sunil Gavaskar 236 runs against West Indies

Sunil Gavaskar made this double century against one of the most brutal and greatest bowling attack in cricket history which includes malcolm marshall, Andy Robert and Michael holding.

Best triple century in test cricket according to me is Chris hris Gayle 317 runs against south africa in 2005

Chris Gayle made this triple century against a strong bowling line up which includes sahun pollock, mhakaya nitni and jaque kallis in West Indies cricket ground which are not batting friendly.

What are some of the greatest upsets in cricket?

 Two matches in the 2007 World Cup which led to massive disaster and major structural changes in the history of World Cup.

First of all, the 2007 World Cup reintroduced the setup which was not in place after the 1979 WorlCup. To have 4 groups of 4 teams each with less number of Group stage matches and more number of Knockout matches. Between 1983–2003 players were playing six group matches each but in the 2007 world cup they again introduced the 3 group matches formula.

Second thing was the satellite rights of the World Cup. Sony group in India had the cricket telecast rights of the 2003 world cup when India reached the finals which meant huge profits for the Sony group. So naturally they acquired the rights for the 2007 World Cup as well.

So two major matches ruined the whole world cup and the future of this format. One was India vs Bangladesh where India failed badly against Bangladesh and got out for mere 191 runs. Half of these runs were scored by Saurav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh but they played so slowly (Ganguly scored 66 of 126 balls) that they couldn't even total 200 by the end of their innings (they got out in 49.5 overs). It was a bad decision to send Sachin at number 4 despite his constant request to let him open. This was perhaps the most forgettable world cup for Sachin Tendulkar. Similarly Dhoni scored 2 ducks in three matches, Uthappa scored 30 runs in 3 matches which worsened the cause of team India. Bangladesh was further helped by poor fielding from India and they inflicted a shocking defeat on India. Indian team made a thumping comeback against a nobody team Bermuda scoring 413 runs and winning by 257 runs. But the team again chocked against Srilanka losing by 69 runs and made a shocking exit from the World Cup. This world cup led to the end of ODI career for Anil Kumble and surprisingly the highest scorer for India Virendra Sehwag lost his opening slot as Sachin and Ganguly became the openers for the rest of the year.

Similarly fate awaited our neighbour and arch enemy Pakistan who lost against West Indies in their opening match. But shockingly they lost against Ireland who bowled out Pakistan for 130 runs and won by 3 wickets eliminating them from the World Cup. The world cup was even worse for Pakistan whose coach Bob Wulmar was found d**d in his hotel. Allegations were made of match fixing and Inzamam Ul Haq retired.

On a financial front this world cup wa shighly unsuccessful as the top 2 teams of Asia who contributed so much in revenue were ousted in the first round. Set Max and Sony lost hundreds of crores and were nearly bankrupted (interestingly that time they recovered their money by constantly re running their most popular show CID for 18–20 hours a day for about 2–3 years).

BCCI made a statement that they would make sure that such format will not be followed after this world cup and this is the same that happened. It also shows the power of BCCI in international cricket.