Cricket has been a game that requires a lot of physical effort and training, and what better if you have cricket players in your family line. Over the years there have been many cases where a cricketing family has given its nation’s team a line of renowned cricket players. So, here’s a look at 10 such cases where cricketing families have contributed to the sport over the years.
1. Babar Azam and the Akmals
Many may not know this but the Akmal line of the family apart from Kamran and Umar Akmal has given the cricketing world, another gem of a player, who is at the moment the face of the Pakistan National Team. He is none other than Babar Azam. Azam is the cousin of the Akmal brothers and is at the moment one of the most integral part of the Pakistan team.
2. Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Vishwanath, two legends, one family
Two of the most successful batsmen of their time, Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Vishwanath, are in fact relatives in real life. They not only had a healthy relationship on the field, as professional cricket players but off the field, the two greats are closely related. Gundappa Vishvanath is married to the sister of Sunil Gavaskar, named Kavita.
3. The Benaud Brothers
Apart from the Vaughs and the Chappels, there are another one of those cricketing families that has made valuable contributions to the Australian cricket team. The Benaud’s, named Richie and John, are brothers and have played for the Australian cricket team.
John after his professional career did not stay connected with the game of cricket like his brother Richie did. Richie after his retirement went to become a commentator and earned a name for himself while engaged at the role.
4. The Chappel, Richardson family
Starting from the eldest and the first international cricketer from that line of blood, Vic Richardson, as stated above, was the starting point from where Australian cricket saw a constant supply of cricketers carrying the same sporting genes come in.
Vic’s grandsons, Ian, Greg, and Trevor Chappell, all played cricket for Australia and formed one of the most renowned cricketing families of recent times.
5. Geoff Marsh and his sons
Geoff Marsh was one of the most well-known cricket players of his time and made sure that after him, his sons carried the load forward for the Australian cricket team.
His sons, who are at the moment, an integral part of the Australian cricket team’s setup, are Mitchell Marsh and Shaun Marsh. It would not have given more pride to Geoff to see both of his sons play together for the team.
6. Ajay Jadeja’s Royal Connection
Prior to India’s independence, it was the Maharajas who played the Gentleman’s game. And, one of those were the predecessors of the well-known modern-day cricket player, Ajay Jadeja.
Jadeja was a renowned name in his time, especially due to his batting and fielding skills. He comes from a cricketing family that has had names like KS Ranjitsinhji and KS Duleepsinhji in its family tree.
7. The Healy-Starc match
Probably one of the most well-known and one of the rare few couples who have played for their country’s team at the highest level, Mitchell Starc and his wife, Alyssa Healy, turned a lot of eyeballs when they got married, and everyone was talking about them. But, there’s another link in this exception of all the cricketing families, as Alyssa Healy, the women’s team’s wicket-keeper, is the niece of another Australian legend, Ian Healy.
8. The Waugh Royalty
If there was a family discussion where cricket stats sheets would be served as the report cards of the children’s performances, it would be that of the Waughs.
From that family, all the three brothers, Mark and Steve who were twins and Dean Waugh, who was the youngest one of the three played cricket for Australia. And, carrying the baton forward for this cricketing family is Austin Waugh, who has made a name for himself, thanks to his exploits at the Under-19 level.
9. Curran’s cross border connections
The only father-son combo that represented two countries at the international level. The first player to come out of the Curran family was, Kevin Curran who played for Zimbabwe International team. And, following his footsteps were his sons, Sam, Tom and Ben Curran, all of whom are professional cricketers, based out of England, with Tom and Sam already in the England side, and Ben in line to make his debut.
10. The Champions of West Indies, Lara and Bravo
Three of the most well-known cricket players to have come out of the West Indies, Brian Lara, Dwayne Bravo and Darren Bravo are relatives. While Darren and Dwayne are half-cousins, Darren is the one related to Brian, who is his cousin. All three of them have been the hallmark names of West Indies cricket, with Brian and Dwayne being considered absolute legends of the game.
