The world is filled with superstition. People will do everything possible to avoid them and hence avert bad luck. Cricket is no different. The thing is though, there's a slim chance of going past the number outright. A batsman might hit a single; two; three; four or a six that results on that number.
There are various cursed numbers. The most well-known and talked about is the Nelson. There's an interesting story behind it.
Cricket has its own language and its own tempo. Among the most famous is Nelson; a curious cricketing tradition linked to the number 111. This seemingly innocent total is treated with both suspicion and humour by players, umpires and fans alike.
In short, itâs a superstition surrounding the score of 111, believed by some to bring bad luck. Whether itâs a team total or a batters score, a Nelson is a big talking point during a game.
Its origin is based more on cricking legend than fact. Some say it resembles three cricket stumps without bails; a symbol of vulnerability and the threat of collapse. Others link it to Lord Nelson, Britainâs naval hero, who is (inaccurately) said to have had "one eye, one arm and one leg" - hence the number 1-1-1.
Horatio Nelson was a celebrated admiral in the Royal Navy during the 18th and 19th centuries. He famously led Britain to victory in the Battle of Trafalgar and was revered across the empire. However, he also became a figure of myth.
Although Nelson actually had two legs, the popular (and incorrect) legend that he had âone eye, one arm, and one legâ caught on in British culture. Over time, 1-1-1 became shorthand for his supposed state. Hence the word Nelson.
Various sources ascribe it to referring to Nelson's three major naval victories (won, won, won). Nelson never in fact lost a leg or his eye, although he lost the sight of one eye. Longtime cricket historian and scorer, Bill "Bearders" Frindall, once referred to it online as "one eye, one arm and one etcetera;" implying that Nelson's alleged third lost body part was "something else."
However, this is equally mythical. In the 1939 film, Goodbye, Mr Chips, a schoolboy refers to Nelson in these terms: "One arm, one eye, one destiny." Umpire, David Shepherd, during a radio interview to mark his retirement explained it as "One arm, one eye and one lump of sugar in his tea."
It is thought by the superstitious that bad things happen on that score, although an investigation by the magazine, The Cricketer, in the 1990s, found that wickets are no more likely to fall on Nelson and indeed, the score at which most wickets fall is 0 (a duck).
The New Zealand cricket team Nelson played first-class cricket from 1874 to 1891. In both their first and last first-class innings, they were dismissed for 111.
The number started appearing in cricket circles with a whisper of misfortune attached. People began to notice that wickets often fell on 111, even if by pure coincidence. The superstition was sealed by the late David Shepherd, who made it a tradition to hop on one leg every time the score reached a Nelson.
This light-hearted routine caught on with fans and players alike, becoming a beloved and enduring part of cricketâs charm.
Some matches seem to confirm the superstition, even if it's just by chance. Here are a few of the most famous:
The 1981 Headingley Test: Australia All Out for 111
During the third Ashes Test of 1981, Australia were bowled out for 111 in their second innings. England, thanks to legendary performances from Sir Ian Botham and Bob Willis, completed one of the most famous comebacks in cricket history. Nelson was blamed (jokingly or not) for triggering the Aussie collapse.
South Africa's Nelson on 11/11/11
Cricket loves a poetic moment. On 11 November 2011, at 11:11, South Africa needed 111 runs to win in a Test match against Australia. The scoreboard read 11/11/11 â 11:11 â 111. Players and spectators alike observed the moment with humour and superstition; some even stood on one leg in tribute!
Velocity's Collapse at 111 in Women's T20
In the 2019 Womenâs T20 Challenge, the Velocity were on 111 when they lost five wickets in quick succession. Though they eventually won, commentators couldnât resist linking the collapse to the dreaded Nelson.
Nelson Number Variations Around the World
Double and Triple Nelson (222 and 333)
These are simply multiples of 111 and, in cricketing superstition, they carry similar âbad luckâ associations. While they donât inspire quite as much ritual as 111 itself, players and fans still give them wary glances. Some even joke that Double and Triple Nelson are "even more cursed."
Regional Superstitions Around Numbers
In the subcontinent, cricket fans sometimes observe numerology more seriously. Players might change shirt numbers or bat grips based on astrological advice. Meanwhile, in England and New Zealand, itâs all taken with a grin.
It's not just the Nelson that brings bad luck, at least for Australians. In 2014, when Mitchell Marsh fell for a defiant 87 on the evening of the third day in the 2nd Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, the all-rounder was dismissed on what is widely known as cricketâs Devil number.
Considered the unluckiest number in Australian cricket, many know 87 as taboo for being 13 short of the coveted 100 every batsman pursues. Thatâs not the reason why the number 87 is said to be possessed by the Devil when associated with an unlucky batsman.
The origin of the superstition stretches back 85 years to December 1929, when a 10-year-old Keith Miller was watching Australiaâs greatest cricketer in a Sheffield Shield match at the MCG. Don Bradman was putting on a batting master class for NSW against hosts Victoria, when, out of nowhere, the Don was bowled neck and crop by Harry 'Bull' Alexander on 87.
Miller was stunned. How could this happen to his hero? The number became a fixation for Miller, who would rifle through newspapers for club cricket scorecards in search for the unlucky figure.
The shock of Bradmanâs untimely demise stayed with Miller. The legend spread when Miller was playing district cricket for South Melbourne alongside future Test captain, Ian Johnson. Johnson was dismissed on 87, providing Miller the opportunity to recount the famous incident and offer his unholy theory.
The myth began circling the cricket community and became folklore after World War II when Richie Benaud and Alan Davidson heard of it. However, as the hype around the superstition reached its highest point, Miller decided to review the scorebook of the match only to find a shocking revelation.
Bradman was actually bowled for 89. Miller blamed the slow MCG scorecard for the error but the damage had been done, 87 would remain forever as the Devilâs number.
Marshâs exit on 87 was the 14th time an Australian has been dismissed on the haunting score and itâs not the only time a Marsh has surrendered his innings 13 short of a century; with father, Geoff, snapped up by the Devil in a one-day international against England in 1988.
Every culture adds its own twist, but the point remains; numbers have meaning in cricket far beyond arithmetic.
Superstitions can be annoying to have. It can hover over you for an eternity. When you reach it, different thoughts and unprepared actions can take place. You might choke or successfully overcome it at that particular time. It's something that can't go away. It's one of those monkey on your back moments.
I suppose therapy can help to overcome it.