10 cricketers whose names are hard to pronounce

Unlike Joe Root, not every cricketer's name is easy to pronounceMost of us may pride ourselves in knowing all about our favourite teams and may also have all statistical data in our fingertips. But when it comes to something as simple as pronouncing the names of certain cricketers, boy do we have a hard time! No matter how much we try to get their names right, more often than not, we do not manage to.Even experienced cricket analysts and commentators are sometimes at a loss of words when they have to talk about a certain cricketer but are not quite sure how to pronounce his name.Inspired by Sri Lanka’s Chanaka Welegedera, whose full name reads Uda Walawwe Mahim Bandaralage Chanaka Asanga Welegedara, here is a fun list of 10 such cricketers, whose names throw us off completely.

#1 Mpumelelo Mbangwa

Mbangwa played 15 Tests and 29 ODIs for Zimbabwe

Mpumelelo Mbangwa is a former Zimbabwean cricketer, who rose to prominence in his early 20s. After he was dropped from the Zimbabwe side following the 2002 Champions Trophy, he became a cricket commentator for television and continues to commentate to this day. While he may not have made it as a player, he is a renowned commentator, who is known for his enthusiastic commentary..

Although his name might seem unpronounceable at the outset, one has to remember that both leading “M”s in his name are silent. But much to the comfort of the cricketing circles, he is popularly known as “Pommie” or “Pom” and that is used to refer to him, more than his actual name.

#2 Lonwabo Tsotsobe

Tsotsobe has 94 wickets from 61 ODIs

Lonwabo Tsotsobe is a South African cricketer, who was called up to the National side in 2008 after his successful stint as part of the Dolphins team. He then moved on to playing in county cricket and was selected to be part of the Essex team.

But a decline in form forced his exclusion from the team. Tsotsobe was also part of the South African World Cup squad of 2011, where the team reached the Quarter-Finals stage.

His name, though seemingly difficult to pronounce, can be read easily if one remembers that the leading “T” of his last name is silent.

#3 Chaminda Vaas

Vaas is Sri Lanka's second-highest wicket taker in Tests

Chaminda Vaas, although famous for his stunning spells in bowling, is also famous for having one of the longest names in cricketing history – Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas. He is one of the unique few, whose length of initials (5 – WPUJC) is longer than the length of the last name (4 – Vaas).

Vaas was one of Sri Lanka’s best ever bowlers, taking 761 international wickets in all, and exactly 400 of them in ODIs. He is renowned for his accurate left-arm seam and swing – a rare trait among bowlers of today – and will always be remembered as one of the finest in his days.

#4 Thisara Perera

Perera has scored over 1,000 runs and taken more than 100 wickets in ODIs

Thisara Perera is an aggressive and attacking allrounder. He received a call-up to the national side during Sri Lanka's tour of India in 2009 as a substitute for an injured Angelo Mathews.

Perera made full use of the opportunity and established himself as a reliable all-rounder - one who is capable of clearing the ropes when it matters, and also capable of giving vital breakthroughs with his seam bowling. He added another feather to his cap during the home ODI series against Pakistan in 2012, where he became the fourth Sri Lankan bowler to take a hat-trick.

Perera, similar to his Sri Lankan teammate Chaminda Vaas, boasts of a long and tough-to-recall full name - Narangoda Liyanaarachchilage Thisara Chirantha Perera. No wonder people are content with referring to him only through the shortened version of his name - Thisara Perera.

#5 Faoud Bacchus

Faoud Bacchus played for two national teams

Faoud Bacchus is a former West Indies player, who has represented the team in 19 Tests. He is one of the rare few, who boasts of a low average of 26.00 despite scoring three 50s and also a high score of 250.

A total of 7 ducks in 30 innings contributed to the slump in average. Due to this dip in form, he was invariably dropped from the West Indian international side. The fact that he could never manage to outshine the other players after being dropped, meant that he was unable to reclaim his slot.

15 years later, at the ripe age of 43, he made a comeback to cricket, this time playing as part of the USA team in the ICC Trophy series. Not many know about him, let alone his full name, which is Sheik Faoud Ahamul Fasiel Bacchus - quite a mouthful, ain't it?

#6 Heath Davis

Heath Davis's (R) career showed pace isn't everything

The New Zealand fast bowler of the 1990s, represented the nation only in 5 Tests and 11 ODIs. Though he had a short stint at the international arena, he was known for his dedication to the game and country. He was drafted into the team for his fiery pace, but soon got overlooked due to his lack of technique and accuracy.

During the series against Lanka in 1997, he had a very conspicuous heel and knee problem which saw him limp throughout the match. But he played with such grit and determination that he did not let the issue affect his bowling.

But what is Heath Davis doing in this list, you may ask. The reason is his peculiar and one-of-a-kind middle name – Te-Ihi-O-Te-Rangi, which is a Maori phrase meaning "with strength derived from Heaven".

#7 Kapila Wijegunawardene

Kapila Wijegunawardene (2L) speaking with Angelo Matthews

Kapila Wijegunawardene was a medium-pace bowler who represented Sri Lanka in 26 ODIs and 2 Tests. He had the ability to move the ball, and was consistent in his accuracy though he lacked pace. He came to limelight for his performance in his second and final Test, where he made quick work of Pakistan’s batting line-up with his match spell of 7/98.

But he is better known for possessing one of the longest surnames – so much so that, commentator Tony Lewis reminisced one of his fellow commentators preparing for the Test match between England and Sri Lanka, by pronouncing "Wije-guna-wardene" repeatedly like a chant.

For anyone who is interested, Wijegunawardene’s full name is Kapila Indaka Weerakkody Wijegunawardene.

#8 Eric Szwarczynski

Szwarczynski is the second-highest run scorer in ODIs for Netherlands

Eric Szwarczynski has represented Netherlands in 41 ODIs and 14 T20Is. The South African-born cricketer made his debut for the Dutch National Team against Scotland in the ICC Intercontinental Cup series in 2005.

Although he started off as an opening batsman, he gradually started playing at No.3. Despite not being a hard hitter, his consistency and skilled timing of the ball caught the attention of the National selectors, who then drafted him into the team.

While many may not know this cricketer, plenty would agree that it is quite a task to pronounce his last name!

#9 Chris Mpofu

Mpofu is a limited-overs specialist for Zimbabwe

The lanky Zimbabwean cricketer was among the mainstream players of the side in the last decade. The seam bowler has the ability to hit the pitch hard and get good movement, but lacks consistency. He made his ODI debut against England in October 2004 and had a tidy spell of 9.4-1-34-0, especially stifling the English top order from scoring runs.

His Test appearances though, were forgettable, and he was soon dropped from the team after taking only 3 wickets and giving away 343 runs in four matches.

Like many other players in this list, Chris also has a peculiar last name, which would make anyone think twice before pronouncing it right.

#10 Njabulo Ncube

Ncube was a one cap wonder

Another Zimbabwean cricketer, Ncube has represented the side at the national level only in 1 ODI and 1 Test match. The short, right-arm seamer also represented Zimbabwe Under-19 at the 2008 Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia.

In October 2011, he was called up to the National side for the first time, in the 3rd match of the ODI series against New Zealand. Ncube made full use of the opportunity and ended with a three-wicket haul in that game which saw Zimbabwe record one of their most famous and closest wins. His performance in the ODI further earned him a Test cap in Bulawayo.

A player who has received little limelight in the international arena, Ncube may as well be better known for his unique name.