Top 3 cricketers who have successfully transitioned from other sport

Cricket is a unique sport. Baseball is probably the closest to cricket in the style of play. Therefore, a transition between cricket and other sports may seem unlikely. However, there have been great cricketers that have juggled other sports with cricket. Sir Vivian Richards, for example, has played in cricket as well as the Football World Cup.

There also have been several cricketers who chose to transition to cricket after enjoying many years in another sport. Here are the top three cricketers who have transitioned from other sports into a full-time cricket career.

3. Kumar Sangakara, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s star batter Kumar Sangakkara has been a versatile sportsman throughout his career. Besides cricket, the young Sangakkara has been actively interested in Tennis and golf and was a good swimmer. Sangakkara took Tennis a little more professionally out of these sports, representing his school at the National level. It was only at the age of 17 that he decided to transition to cricket and focus on one sport solely.

“Not many know this, but he was a very good tennis player. Tennis was his first sport. Kumar was more talented on the tennis court. One day his sister, Saranga, beat him through in an inter-family battle of the sexes. That’s it. He never played Tennis very seriously again. Cricket became his primary passion right after that defeat. “, Sangakara’s dad was quoted saying in an interview.

2. AB De Villiers, South Africa

Mr. 360-degree AB De Villiers was also a 360-degree sportsman. While his nickname gained popularity based on his ability to hit the cricket ball all around the park, his 360-degree qualities also appeared in his sporting career before becoming a cricketer. De Villiers was shortlisted for South African hockey and soccer groups. He played all sports but took Badminton a little more seriously; he was the under-19 national champion before considering a full-time career in cricket.

1. Ian Chappell, Australia

Baseball is a bat and ball game; while there are differences between the two, one can argue that the style of play is somewhat similar to cricket. The most legendary cricketer to have transitioned from other sports is Australia’s Ian Chappell, a former baseball player. Notably, the Chappell brothers continued the family tradition as their grandfather was also a celebrated baseball player in Australia who played for the Glenelg Baseball Club from a young age.

The two brothers appeared in the Australian Masters Game to mark the highest point of their baseball careers. However, Ian Chappell went on to become one of the most famous Australian cricket captains of all time.