Cricket was once considered a game of patience, where you could compete for three days and still end up drawing.
It was a pastime that gripped only certain nations, England, Australia, New Zealand and India amongst those that enjoyed its charms. Over time, people have tried to revolutionise the game with the IPL, 20/20 and now The Hundred. They are fast and exciting versions, which have drawn in a whole new type of fan. They also sit as a contrast to test cricket, which can last four or five days at a time and certainly appeals to a more patient supporter.
Of course, the players are as much a part of the lure as the teams and games. Whilst cricket was seen as a very gentlemanly game, it has often harboured some true rebels and bad boys, people whose wild lifestyle was completely at odds with the noble sport they practised. Incidents such as Kevin Pietersen’s sacking and Herschelle Gibbs’ errant lifestyle seem to add something to an otherwise rather sedate sport.
Perhaps the nature of the game leaves cricketers looking for excitement in their personal lives. In a sport that sees the batting team sat around for hours, and often breaking for meals, perhaps players seek a faster, more interesting lifestyle when they’re out of their whites. That has, in the past, led a few of them to the poker tables.
Poker and cricket are similar in many respects – games can go on for a long time, and you’re sitting down for much of that. Then again, poker is all about the individual, and for those who have struggled with teammates, that could be seen as a blessing. So which cricketers have also enjoyed a round of poker now and again? Our rundown starts with arguably the most famous of them all.
Shane Warne
On his website, the former Aussie test bowler draws the same comparisons between poker and cricket as we did earlier. “Each are long and grueling events that can be broken down into many smaller contests,” he said. “In cricket, I’m focusing ball-by-ball, over-by-over, session-by-session, one batsman at a time. In poker, you can only play one hand at a time, one opponent at a time.” He certainly thrived at both, having not only fostered a reputation as one of the best bowlers of all time but also having appeared at the World Series of Poker on more than one occasion.
Ed Giddins
Giddins played test cricket for England between 1999 and 2000, appearing against New Zealand, Zimbabwe and the West Indies. He had five years with Sussex at county level, a couple with Warwickshire and Surrey before winding up his career with Hampshire. After he hung up his bat, he took to playing poker, with career cashes exceeding £80,000. He also worked as a pundit and analyst for Sky Poker, helping analyse poker hands and players for viewers. In fact, he is perhaps more widely known now for his understanding of poker than he ever was for test cricket.
MS Dhoni
Dhoni captained India in short over games between 2007 and 2017 and test cricket between 2008 and 2014. He holds a raft of records, including being one of the highest run-scorers in one-day internationals, and the first wicket-keeper to effect 100 stumpings in ODIs, too. He is one of the all-time greats, and after his career, he sought solace in the world of online poker. He’s a brand ambassador for one of India’s most famous poker providers, and said of the game: “When I played online poker a few years ago with my friends for fun, I didn’t think I would walk away taking a keen interest in it. However, after playing online poker I understood that it’s a game that requires skill, patience, focus and an appreciation for responsible play.”
