The best of cricket's weird and wonderful moments that made you laugh in 2024.
Bashir's dodgy DRS
Watch: Joe Root laughs after Shoaib Bashir tries to review clean bowled dismissal
Strong start for obvious reasons, purely for the look of determination on Bashir’s face as he instantly called for DRS not knowing that he had just been clean bowled by Ravindra Jadeja. Series gone, games gone, but Bashir is on 13, and he’s adamant that he hasn’t hit this one.
Konstas v Kohli
Read: Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas collide on-field during debutant's eye-catching onslaught
Sam Konstas’ breakthrough into the Australia side has caused much debate - as much for his on-field antics as his explosive batting. The 19-year-old's most notable battle to date was with Virat Kohli, who he managed to provoke into 'bumping into him' during the Boxing Day Test match at the MCG, turning the Aussie crowd against the India great - who was subsequently booed by them. A personal favorite moment has to be Kohli emptying his pockets in front of a rowdy Bay 13 at the G.
Woakes bowling off-spin
Watch: 'Mind-blowingly poor' - Chris Woakes forced to bowl spin by bad light
Yes, this did actually happen. Chris Woakes bowling four deliveries of spin mid-over (due to bad light thankfully) could not have been on anyone’s 2024 bingo card. Six runs off those four deliveries was just about acceptable, as Ben Stokes watched on in exasperation. By the time Woakes had finished his over, the light was once more acceptable for Gus Atkinson to steam in from the other end – bizarre.
Dropped catches
Dropped catches are categorically funny. New Zealand’s eight dropped catches in the first innings against England at Christchurch take first place for 2024 fumbles, with an honorable mention going to England Women, dropping five against the West Indies in Dubai, resulting in their elimination from the T20 Women’s World Cup. The most glaring example from the women's T20 World Cup, however, goes to Pakistan, for the eight absolute sitters they dropped against eventual winners New Zealand.
Labuschagne bails switch
Read: Marnus Labuschagne falls six balls after double bail change
Marnus Labuschagne is funny. Marnus Labuschagne getting out is funnier. Marnus Labuschagne getting spooked by a bail switch is the funniest. Mohammed Siraj is to thank this time, giving us our annual fix by dramatically switching bails in front of Labuschagne, who sure enough delivered the over later, edging to second slip to depart for 12.
Labuschagne's slowest knock
Slowest knocks by Australians in Tests: Labuschagne breaks record with 52-ball duck
It's a testament to how funny Labuschagne is as an individual that he gets a second entry on this list. In Perth, he played the slowest knock ever by an Australia players in a men's Test, scoring just two runs off 52 deliveries, to record the lowest-ever strike rate by an Australia player to face more than 50 balls in a Test innings (3.84).
Tom Hartley’s redemption arc
Read: Tom Hartley ruled out of England Lions' tour with broken hand
Tom Hartley’s inclusion in England’s Test side at the start of this year appeared to be based on the fact that he is quite tall. Having conceded 131 runs opening the bowling in the first innings, he bounced back with a magical seven-for in the second. Since then, his England standing has faded into near non-existence, making his whole international journey over the last 12 months feel like a fever dream.
Naib's tactical cramp against Australia
Watch: Gulbadin Naib hilariously gets 'cramp' after being instructed to waste time by coach
Afghanistan's Gulbadin Naib came under fire during the Men’s T20 World Cup this year, as he appeared to have a drastic bout of cramp during a Super Eight game against Bangladesh. This sudden crumble to the ground looked like it was spurred by head coach, Jonathan Trott, who was signaling to his players to try and slow the game down. On command, Naib theatrically raises his hand as he falls to the ground in seemingly unimaginable pain. If you haven’t seen this already, click the link above - it’s quite an enjoyable watch.
Ben Stokes lookalike
Watch: Ben Stokes hilariously reacts to doppelganger in Trent Bridge crowd
Has to make the list purely because of the visible shift from amusement to reproach plastered across the England captain’s face, when viewing his doppelganger pop up repeatedly on the big screen at Old Trafford.
The biggest fans you will ever see in Rawalpindi
Read: Surface for Pakistan v England Test escapes sanction
A lot of what happened during England's Test tour of Pakistan last year could feature on this list, but the fans employed to dry the Rawalpindi pitch are at the top of the tree. It not only for the image of the giant fans at both ends of the pitch that this moment will forever be iconic, but for the context behind it. New PCB selectors, mass droppings from Pakistan's starting XI, a desperation to play on ragging pitches all went into the moment, taking home advantage to a new level.
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