Cricket History and Facts

Dimitri Mascarenhas famously hit Yuvraj Singh for five consecutive sixes in an over during a 2007 ODI at The Oval. This remains one of the most memorable instances of a bowler being punished for so many sixes in limited-overs cricket.

Mitchell Johnson won the ICC Cricketer of the Year award in 2009 for his outstanding all-round performance. This was the inaugural year of this specific ICC award format. Chanderpaul, Dilshan, and Gambhir were notable players but not the 2009 recipient.

Gautam Gambhir won the ICC Test Player of the Year in 2009 for his exceptional performance in Test cricket, including crucial centuries. Laxman, Broad, and Samaraweera had notable years but were not the Test Player of the Year.

MS Dhoni won the ICC ODI Player of the Year in 2009 for his consistent performances and leadership in one-day cricket. Yuvraj, Hussey, and Vettori were excellent ODI players but Dhoni was the 2009 recipient.

MS Dhoni won the ICC Best Test Team Captain of the Year in 2009 for leading India to significant Test victories. Ponting was Australian captain, Vettori led New Zealand, Smith was South African captain - none were the 2009 winner.

Aleem Dar from Pakistan won the ICC Umpire of the Year award in 2009, beginning his dominance of this award (he went on to win it five consecutive times from 2009-2013). Simon Taufel had won it the previous five years (2004-2008) before Aleem Dar's reign began.

Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle won the ICC Emerging Player of the Year award in 2009. He had an outstanding year, taking 43 wickets in Test matches and playing a crucial role in Australia's Ashes series victory despite the team losing the series overall.

Tillakaratne Dilshan won the ICC Twenty20 International Performance of the Year award in 2009. He was recognized for his innovative batting, including the famous 'dilscoop' shot that he popularized in T20 cricket. The award specifically honors exceptional individual performances in T20 international matches during the award period.

William Porterfield from Ireland won the ICC Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year award in 2009. He was recognized for his consistent performances as Ireland's captain and opening batsman, including notable performances in the 2009 ICC World Twenty20. This award specifically honors players from non-Test playing nations.

Claire Taylor from England won the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year in 2009. She was the first English woman to score a Test century and was known for her elegant batting technique. This award recognizes the outstanding female cricketer across all formats of the international game.

Brett Lee has never taken an ODI hat-trick in his career. Wasim Akram has 2 ODI hat-tricks, Saqlain Mushtaq has 1 ODI hat-trick, and Chaminda Vaas has 1 ODI hat-trick. Lee is the only bowler listed without any ODI hat-tricks.

Mohammad Sami has not taken an ODI hat-trick against India. Aaqib Javed took a hat-trick against India in 1991-92, Danny Morrison achieved this feat against India in 1994, and Steve Harmison also has an ODI hat-trick versus India. Sami has no ODI hat-trick against India.

Wasim Akram took 2 ODI hat-tricks, and in both instances, all three wickets were bowled. His first hat-trick came against Australia in 1990-91 (3 bowled), and the second was against Sri Lanka in 1992-93 (also 3 bowled). This makes his achievement unique.

Irfan Pathan took a hat-trick in the very first over of a Test match against Pakistan in 2006 at Karachi. This was a rare feat as he dismissed Salman Butt, Younis Khan, and Mohammad Yousuf off consecutive deliveries in the opening over of the match.