In this article, we will take a look at the 5 Bizarre Player Of The Series/Match Awards In Cricket. Cricket is celebrated globally, transcending cultures and regions. Today, almost every continent flaunts its own T20 league. This race for unparalleled entertainment has leagues vying for the world’s elite cricketers. Undoubtedly, higher viewership promises lucrative sponsorship deals.
Sponsors, the financial pillars of T20 leagues, offer hefty sums ensuring smooth operations and, in return, garner immense publicity. Apart from monetary rewards, sponsors also present players with intriguing awards for their on-field brilliance. While vehicles have been standard prizes, let’s dive into five of the quirkiest awards that left spectators bewildered.
From Quirky Plots to Whimsical Awards: A Journey Through Cricket’s Most Unique Honors:
1. Sherfane Rutherford’s Half-Acre of American Dreams
In the 2023 Global T20 Canada, Sherfane Rutherford emerged as the beacon for the Montreal Tigers. Garnering 220 runs, with a decisive 38 in the finale, he was unsurprisingly the Player of the Series. Yet, the reward was startling: half an acre of American land. Social media buzzed, speculating on this unconventional prize’s locale.
2. Wrestling Belts Make Their Way to the Pitch
The International League T20’s debut in the UAE offered a fresh spin on awards. Mirroring the IPL’s caps – Orange for leading run-scorer and Purple for top wicket-taker – the ILT20 instead opted for wrestling-style belts. Top batters bagged a Green Belt, and eminent bowlers, a White Belt.
3. Luke Wright’s Culinary Prize: A Rice Cooker
The 2012/13 Dhaka Premier League saw renowned English players like Luke Wright and Eoin Morgan. ‘Walton’, a local electronics giant, was the chief sponsor. Eschewing typical cash rewards, they presented players with domestic gadgets. After a stellar performance, Wright intriguingly received a rice cooker.
4. Fishy Rewards in Kashmir’s Cricket Scene
Highlighting the deteriorating condition of a Kashmiri cricket ground, local organizers employed an unusual tactic: a 2.5 kg fish as the Man of the Match award. This strategy was to redirect public focus towards the league and the dire playing conditions. This quirky prize, captured in a 2020 photo from Tekipora Kupwara, quickly became an internet sensation.
5. Jhye Richardson’s Modest Win Against India
Even international cricket has had its share of peculiar awards. Take the instance from a 2019 ODI between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Jhye Richardson, for his scintillating 4/26 spell, was gifted with…shoe laces and a bat grip. Despite dismissing heavyweights like Virat Kohli, his accolade seemed a tad understated.
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Cricket, while universally loved, reveals regional eccentricities in these unique awards. These quirky prizes, a blend of cultural nuances and sponsor whims, not only add charm but also unforgettable anecdotes to the sport’s rich tapestry. While the essence of the game remains unchanged, these offbeat rewards inject a dose of delightful unpredictability, much like the sport itself.
