The 15 most iconic images in Cricket history

Sachin Tendulkar celebrating his 100th century is one of the most iconic moments in cricket history

From a game played solely among the English elite as early as in the sixteenth century, the game of cricket has come a long way and is followed by millions of fans all over the world. In a sport as old and popular as cricket, there are certainly bound to be hundreds of moments that have captured a permanent spot in the hearts of people world over.

After all, nine slips for a batsman, and aluminium bats aren't a very common sight in cricket as we know it today. Trawling through several such images, a few would definitely deserve more prominence than the rest. Here's a look at the most iconic images in Cricket history.

1. Dwayne Leverock's stunning catch

Dwayne Leverock taking the now-iconic catch

If a cricketer from Bermuda is ever remembered by fans, it would be Dwayne Leverock, for his superb diving catch at slips, to dismiss Robin Uthappa in the 2007 World Cup against India. The sight of this bulky lad diving is a sight that no fan can ever forget.

2. A bee attack on-field

A bee attack left all the cricketers and the umpires on the ground

The Ferozeshah Kotla is always known to be buzzing with excitement during India - Australia clashes, but this time, it was the bees that were the source of the buzzing, forcing the players and the umpire to lay flat on the pitch, at the mercy of the insects.

3. South Africa's world record ODI chase

South Africa chased down the then world record score of 434

Quite possibly a feat that can never be bettered by any team for a long time to come, South Africa managed to chase a gigantic target of 434 set by the Australians, with a wicket and an over in hand.

4. Don Bradman's last duck

Don Bradman bowled in his final Test innings

Without a doubt the best batsman the game of cricket has ever seen, Sir Don Bradman’s last match was a painful sight. Requiring a mere four runs for a magical Test average of 100, Bradman was out for a duck in his last Test innings against England, leaving this bitter memory in the hearts of millions.

5. Dennis Lillee and the aluminium bat

Dennis had to give up his aluminium bat for a regular one

A man who found himself embroiled in controversies time and time again throughout his career, Dennis Lillee once famously walked onto the pitch with an aluminium bat. After complaints from the English captain, he grudgingly accepted the willow handed to him by his skipper, Greg Chappel.

6. Brian Lara kissing the pitch after scoring 400 runs

Brian Lara scored 400* against England in 2004

One of the best to have ever played the sport, Brian Lara’s joyous celebration of kissing the pitch after scoring an unbeaten 400 against England, surpassing the supposedly insurmountable 380 by Mathew Hayden, was one that brought smiles to the faces of every single spectator at Antigua, and fans all over the globe.

7. Javed Miandad raising his bat at Dennis Lillee

The altercation between Javed Miandad and Dennis Lillee

In an ugly occurrence described by the Wisden Almanack as "one of the most undignified incidents in Test history", an altercation between Javed Miandad and Dennis Lillee led to the latter threatening to break the former’s skull with his willow.

8. Andrew Flintoff consoling Brett Lee

Andrew Flintoff consoles Brett Lee after the Edgbaston Test in 2005

In a true show of sportsmanship, Flintoff, rather than celebrating with his teammates, put his arm around a disconsolate Brett Lee after the latter’s side had lost a close-fought Test match, and spoke a few words to cheer Lee up.

9. Dada's shirtless moment

Sourav Ganguly and the Indian team celebrate the 2002 Natwest Series final win

Known to be a captain who always wore his heart on his sleeve, Sourav Ganguly expressed his jubilation at India’s hard-fought victory against England at the Natwest final at Lord’s after chasing a daunting 326 runs, by taking his shirt off and waving it overhead.

10. Dennis Lillee's nine slips against New Zealand

Dennis Lillee bowling with 9 slips

Australia was bowling to the New Zealand tail during the second Test at Eden Park, in the 1976/77 bilateral series between the two nations. Dennis Lillee insisted on having a nine-man slip cordon for the pair at the crease, who were not known for their batting, to say the least.

11. Trevor Chappell\'s underarm ball

Trevor Chappell bowls underarm to Brian McKechnie

February 1981 saw Australia play New Zealand in the finals of the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup, at the MCG. New Zealand required six runs off the last ball for a tie. The Australian captain, Greg Chappell, instructed his bowler (and younger brother), Trevor Chappell, to bowl the last ball underarm, and roll it along the ground, so as to eliminate any probability the batsman had, of scoring the six New Zealand needed.

12. Jonty 'Superman' Rhodes

Jonty Rhodes affects the now-famous run-out

During a closely-fought South Africa – Pakistan match, a misjudged attempt at a run saw the birth of a Superman for South Africa, as Jonty Rhodes flew in from backward point, swooped on the ball, and threw himself in the air, and at the stumps, to effect a spectacular run-out.

13. Sachin Tendulkar reaches his 100th century

Sachin Tendulkar celebrates his 100th international hundred

The Little Master Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar surpassed in numbers every player to have ever played cricket at the international level. However, despite the numerous records he holds, completing a hundred centuries was surely a special moment in the life of this maestro and his fans worldwide.

14. MS Dhoni's World Cup-winning six

MS Dhoni hits the six that completes India's World Cup win

A masterful tactician, a batsman with the ability to change gears from patient to destructive in the blink of an eye, a calm leader and a powerful presence, MS Dhoni’s stunning six to win India the 2011 ODI World Cup is the stuff of legend.

15. Sachin walks out to bat for the last time

Sachin Tendulkar walks out to bat one last time in international cricket

A living god of the game, a man who made millions of people fall in love with the sport of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar played his last match against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium. To see a legend retire is by no means easy, and to see Sachin go, was that much harder.