It is a matter of pride for a foreign individual to represent his country at international level. Some people dream to wear a jersey of their respective nation and represent their country in cricket. While some extraordinary and exceptional multi-talented cricketers have represented their country in sports other than cricket. Here is the list of the top 10 cricketers who represented their country in other sports.
1. Sir Ian Botham
One of the greatest cricketers in England, Sir Ian Botham holds some of the most unbreakable records. The finest all-rounder from England, he was the fastest cricketer to achieve Test doubles. He scored 1000 runs and took 100 wickets and then 2000 runs and took 200 wickets. Alongside, he had scored 14 test centuries of which 208 was his highest score. Sir Ian Botham has a record of taking all 10 wickets in a Test match. He played football for Yeovil Town and Scunthorpe United from 1978-1985. Where he played 11 games for Scunthorpe United and appeared for Yeovil Town in 1984-1985.
2. Jonty Rhodes
The most outstanding fielder from South Africa who came into the limelight after the run out of Inzamam UL Haq in World Cup 1992. He played 245 ODI matches where he scored 5935 runs and 52 Test matches with 25,032 runs. He made a record for taking the most catches that is 5 catches in an ODI inning against West Indies in 1993. Jonty Rhodes was best regarded for his fielding efforts which made him the fielding coach of KXIP and Mumbai Indians. He represented South Africa in the 1992 Olympics in hockey. However, they did not qualify, in 1996 he was called it Atlanta, again but due to his injury, he pulled out.
3. Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal, the Indian spin master made his name after IPL 2016, when playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore he was second in the Purple Cap Holder list. He took 21 wickets in 13 matches with an economy of 8.15. His 6 wickets haul in t-20 international against England in 2017 is regarded as one of the best 6 wickets hauls. He is known as a Chess Master of cricket as he represented India at the World U12 championships and also won national U12 championships.
4. Ellyse Perry
This outstanding woman batting all-rounder from Australia has her name as one of the most iconic and talented woman cricketers. She was the youngest woman Australian to debut in international cricket at the age of 16 against New Zealand. She has made the record of making 985 runs and taking 10 wickets in the ICC women's championship 2014- 2016/2017. She played for the Australian women's football team in the Asia Cup and World Cup 2011. In 2008- 2009, she played for Central Coast Mariners in the domestic league and played for Matilda.
5. Viv Richards
one of the most devastating, legendary and entertaining cricketers from West Indies who was only known for smashing the ball out for boundaries. Viv Richards held several records under his name, he played 121 test matches with a strike rate of 50.24 and scored 8540 test runs. While in 187 ODI, He scored 6721 runs with a strike rate of 90.2. He made 24 Test centuries and 11 ODI centuries. His records are breathtaking. Viv Richards represented Antigua and Barbuda in FIFA World Cup 1974. He became the only cricketer who played both cricket and football World Cups. He is presently a huge supporter of Liverpool FC.
6. Suzie Bates
Playing for the New Zealand Women's Cricket Team, Suzie Bates is one of their leading batswomen. She has played 148 ODI matches for New Zealand and has scored 5267 runs with an average of 41.47. While in 143 t-20 international, she has covered 3820 runs with a strike rate of 109.70. She has 12 ODI centuries under her name and a record of 5000 runs, 50 wickets, and 50 catches. With her outstanding performance, she was selected to play in the Big Bash League. She represented New Zealand in Women's Basketball at Summer Olympics in Beijing in 2008. She played 24 games in 2007- 2008 before accepting the captainship of the New Zealand Women's Cricket Team.
7. Rudi Van Vuuren
Rudi Van Vuuren played a total of 5 World Cup matches for South Africa in 2008. He took eight wickets and gave 298 runs in 300 walls at an economy of 5.96. His best bowling figure was 5- 43 against England. He became the only Namibian to take five wickets against England. He played rugby for Namibia. He holds the record of playing rugby and cricket World Cup in the same year.
8. Cotar Ramaswami
He was the second oldest Indian debutant when he made his debut at the age of 40 against England. He only played two Test Matches where he scored 170 runs. At the age of 20, he represented India in tennis and defeated Romania at the Davis Cup in Bristol.
9. Andrew Flintoff
Andrew Flintoff was the incredible power-hitting all-rounder from England in 2005 when England won ashes at home. He was the prominent figure in the win full he is the 3rd highest ODI wicket-taking English cricketer who took 168 wickets. In 79 test matches, he scored 3845 runs and took 226 wickets. His performances in all formats were high-class. After his retirement in 2009, he chose boxing. On 30th November 2012, after his win against Richard Dawson, he ended his career.
10. Nathan Astle
The great Kiwi all-rounder scored 7090 runs in 223 ODI and 4702 runs in 81 test matches. While in the same number of ODI matches he took 99 wickets and 51 wickets in test matches. He was best known for smashing 222 runs against England in Test cricket. After retiring from cricket, in 2010 he participated in auto racing. He participated in Ruapuna Speedway and 2018 came 3rd in the South Island champs. It takes a tremendous amount of hard work, practice and talent to represent a country in two different sports. There are still people around the world who could not be proficient in a single field while these are a few cricketers who have given their best in cricket as well as the sports in which they represented their country.
