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The modern-day game demands cent per cent athleticism, fitness and agility on the field. Cricketing boards have now set high standards regarding the fitness regime of players.
Before the start of play, during training drills, cricketers have been seen flaunting their skills in football or rugby.
However, there have been several instances when players have represented their country in other sports or games before switching to cricket.
Today, let’s look at five such cricketers:
1.) Jonty Rhodes
The name of Jonty Rhodes is synonymous with electric fielding and imparting athleticism in the game of cricket.
Not many are aware of Rhodes representing South Africa in Hockey during the 1992 Olympics. Also, Rhodes was called in for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. However, the Proteas batsman pulled out due to a hamstring injury.
Rhodes played 52 Tests and 245 ODI in his decade-long career. Post-retirement, Rhodes took up the fielding coach role at Mumbai Indians.
2.) Yuzvendra Chahal
Before mesmerizing spectators with his leg-spinners, Chahal represented India in Chess. Chahal came into the reckoning after a successful stint at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Captain Virat Kohli was quick to draft the wily leg-spinner into the national side in white-ball cricket. Chahal is the only player to represent India in both cricket as well as chess.
3.) Suzie Bates
Former women’s team captain Suzie Bates pursued a full-time career as a cricketer after featuring in the 2008 Beijing Olympics representing New Zealand in basketball.
Bates has several achievements to her name after starting her career at the age of 15 (youngest cricketer).
4.) Ellyse Perry
The heartthrob of the cricketing community, all-rounder Ellyse Perry represented Australia in soccer during the Asian Cup in 2008. Perry also has three international goals under her belt.
The gorgeous cricketer set new benchmarks with the Australian women’s team in all departments of the game.
5.) Rudi van Vuuren
Many would remember Vuuren from the 2003 ODI World Cup in South Africa, where he was smashed for 28 runs in a single over against Australia.
A physician by profession, Vuuren represented Namibia in the sport of rugby as well as cricket. The Namibian holds a unique feat of having played two world cups in the same year of two different sports.
