Welcome to Journal of Physical Health and Sports Medicine

Abstract

Author, an orthopedic surgeon and passionate researcher in Clubfoot for over fifty years, published an article in International Orthopaedics (SICOT) in 2018; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-017-3741-6. In that article, there was an incredible discovery i.e., 23 times repetition, of number3, besides-the publication, DOI: https://doi.org/10.36811/cjo.2020.110002 CJO(Clinical Journal of Orthopedics): August-2020 and some references of repeating number 3 about CRICKET also in them.

AIM: Motivated by this, the author explored the game of cricket further and this too was incredibly true, to be described under different headings in this article. Material has been derived from contents of cricket namely: equipment, actions, famous world cricketers, and places related to cricket. Methods were Google search, under three headings: firstly; many things in cricket are destined to happen at a fixed time and place, just like in author’s clubfoot publications.

Secondly: Unprecedented repetitions of number 3 in cricket under various headings, and THIRDLY, on Google search, number 3 in numerology, symbolic of planet Jupiter, has innumerable good attributes for the related people. This number has been found to have myriad, evolutionary bonds, in every area of humanity, on planet earth and beyond, since ancient times, which are scientific, spiritual, socio-religious, political, etc. Conclusions: 1. Many events are completely scientific; 2. Others are unique coincidences with scientific explanation and 3. Still, others are amazing truths, proving again that “Truth is Stranger than Fiction”. Because of its uniqueness, this article needs to spread its wing.

Introduction

An orthopedic surgeon and writing on CRICKET? Yes, you read it right. The Nature of the subject demands that it should be started, a little differently. Famous Sanskrit Indian Vedic prayer has 3 PARTS, - Translated to English, this means O’’ lord, lead me from falsehood to truth, darkness (of ignorance) to-light (of knowledge), death (weaknesses of life) to immortality (strengths of life), AUM (3 letters)- peace; peace, peace. Reciting this 3-part prayer achieves 3 functions: it purifies your mind, energizes your body and helping attitude (3 functions), because of intimate Body-Mind relationship (1). This is the most important number in numerology related to planet Jupiter, with enormous material, pervading the universe, in every area of human activity, namely: all branches of science; medicine, physics, chemistry, biology, pharmaceuticals, trigonometry, cosmology, economics, mathematics, nanotechnology, environmental, psychology, sociology, yoga, spirituality, religions, politics/ governance and all activities of daily living, from birth till death. The author’s own experience and extensive search of Google had unearthed enormous material in diverse fields, including a bit of cricket also, which were published by the author in a comprehensive article [1]. This gave me an idea to explore the game of cricket also in relation to number 3 and here it is.

Material and Methods

Regarding the origin of cricket, there is the consensus that cricket probably was invented during Saxon or Norman times by children living in dense woodlands of south-east England. The first reference to cricket being played as an adult sport was in 1611, which is a multiple of 3 (1+6+! +1= 9/3=3) and was defined as a boys' game [2]. The very beginning of cricket starts with repeating number 3. There are 3 basic portable things needed in an open ground i.e. -ball, bat, and wicket to play 3 Parts of the game: bowling, batting and fielding. To take them individually.

Ball: Structure of a cricket ball is of three things: cork, tightly wound strings and leather case with slightly raised sewn seam (3). There are three main manufacturers of cricket balls used in international cricket: Kookaburra, Dukes, and SG: i. India uses SG, England and Windiest use Dukes, and all other countries use Kookaburra; Currently used Cricket ball is in three colors- red, white and pink (Figure 1). Red and Pink are for Test matches and the White ball is for ODI's and T20's. There is famous 3 super over in cricket history. There are a total of 21 different types of bowling (2+1=3) that exist in cricket, with 3 functions and all beginning with S-; speed, swing and spin, and an over in bowling is of 6 balls: 6÷2=3 [3].

Figure 1: 3 Colored balls.

Wicket: Originally, the cricket wicket had only two stumps and one bail, which looked like a small gate. The third (middle) stump was introduced in 1775, after Lumpy Stevens bowled three successive deliveries to John Small that went straight through the two stumps rather than hitting them. They are 9” wide, a 3x3 (4). Wicket has 3 stumps (stumps also have 3X2= 6 letters). Why not 2 or 4 or more stumps, this is very scientific [4,5].

Bowling: Hat trick term was coined in 1858 for the first time in cricket, when player H.H. Stephenson took three wickets with three consecutive deliveries, an impressive feat. It is called HAT TRICK, as the crowd collected money & bought him a very fine hat with the proceeds. After that it is used in other games also, but in cricket, the difference is that it is used for the defensive side [6].

Ground: The 30-yard circle in cricket, also known as the inner circle, is an important element of modern games for fielding restrictions and freedom for batting, more so in power-play [7]. There are 9 formats of this professional game, with test matches being the oldest and longest spread over 5 days, while others are of shorter durations. I. Test Matches, ii. One Day Matches, iii.20-Twenty, iv. Super Sixes, v. T10 Matches, vi.100-Ball Format, vii. Three Team Cricket (3TC), viii. Indoor Cricket and ix. Blind Cricket. In 3 team cricket, 36 overs are played with 12 for each team (all 3s). There are 6 balls in one over. One day cricket is the most popular, with the team playing 300 balls and then are the test matches. The 3 lettered MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) is one the most popular ground and a cultural icon of Australia. There is a 3rd umpire, off the field, helping the two field umpires in deciding challenges on the field all multiple of 3 [8].

Famous Cricket players

India's Batsman, Sachine Tendulkar. Date of birth is 24.4.1973: (2+4+4+1+9+7+3= 30/10=3). He has scored 15,921 runs in Tests and has 18,426 runs in the ODIs to his name. Including the T20 international runs, the tally goes up to 34,347 runs. He has scored 51 centuries in test cricket during 1989- 2013 i.e., 24 years India played a record 543 test matches. All totals/ multiple come to 3 [9-11].

MS Dhoni: date of birth: 7.7.1981: 7+7+1+9+8+1=33 His Greatest achievements are:

I. Only captain in the world to win all three major ICC trophies, namely ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy.

II. First Wicket-keeper batsman to lead India in Tests to number one, first time in history.

III. In his captaincy in 60 matches, India won 27.

IV. Scored 183 runs not out against Sri Lanka at Jaipur in 2005, which is still the highest for a wicket keeper batsman in OD1.

V. Most number of 123 stumping as a wicket-keeper.

VI. In Indian Premier League (IPL) domestic cricket, he led CSK to 3 IPL titles in 12 seasons.

VII. He has led CSK to three IPL titles and.

VIII. Sits at the top with 99 wins. Number 3 and its multiple are shining in all [12].

Dhoni captained the side for 6 years from 2008 to 2014 and is 6th on the list of captains, with 60 matches. Mahindra Singh Dhoni has a record of 294 dismissals to his credit in 90 matches, from 2005 to 2014 i.e., 9 years: all figures are multiple of 3 [13].

Kapil Dev: A premier all-rounder, an MVP (3 lettered nickname), led his team to a World Cup victory in 1983. He played 225 OD1. Youngest test cricketer: 27 years, 2 days, with 300 wickets [14].

Donald Bradman: His “baggy green” cap, specially stitched and worn on Test debut in 1928 by Australia’s greatest batsman, which was sold for Aus. $ 450,000 (multiple of 3) a record for one of the cricket legend’s caps. Bradman gifted his cap to a family friend Peter Dunham in the year 1959: a multiple of 3 [15]. Bradman records: highest batting average in Test cricket is unbelievable at 99.94 (With 3 nines). Double centuries 12 (1+2=3) times, the only player in the world to have scored 5028 (5+2+8=!5/5=3) runs against a single opposition (England), three (3) double hundreds in a series, triple century twice, six consecutive centuries. Only 20 years in the game [16]. Bradman holds the Test record for the most i.e., 12, double centuries. Brian Lara of West Indies in third, with nine Last tests versus England 18.8.1948 (18+8+1+9+4+8=39/13=3 [1]. Chris Gayle records: fastest hundred in the history of cricket & smashed 100 in just 30 balls (3+0). Captained the West Indies cricket team from 2007 to 2010 (years multiple of 3). Scored 42 (4+2+6/2=3) centuries for the West Indies (15). The world record of a Triplet (3) of centuries i.e., triple hundred in tests, double hundred in ODIs and a hundred in T20’s (16). Bradman fantastic scoring level, led former Australia captain Bill Woodfull, make a unique comment about him: "worth three batsmen to Australia". Don Bradman was born in 1908 and died at the age of 92 years on 25.2. 2001: all related to number 3 [17]. There are 25 amazing, mind-blowing Cricket Facts with many of them having number 3 in prominence [18]: 1. In 137 years of cricket history, Chris Gayle is the only batsman to hit a six off the first ball of a Test match; 2. Sunil Gavaskar was an ace batsman, but he was also out of the first ball of a Test match thrice in his career, by 3 different bowlers: Geoff Arnold (Edgartown, 1974), Malcolm Marshall (Kolkata, 1984) and Imran Khan (Jaipur, 1987); 3. India won the 1983 World Cup, won their first ever Test at Lord’s three years later in 1986 and second ever Test at Lord’s three years later in 2014; 4. India is the only country to win the 60-Over (360 balls), 50-Over (300 balls) and 20-Over (120 balls) World Cup; 5- Alec Stewart was born on 8-4-63 and unbelievably scored 8463 Test runs, (both figures multiple of 3); 6. Allan Border played 153 consecutive Test matches; 7- Australia beat England in the first-ever Test match by 45 runs held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1877. Hundred years later in 1977, once again, the same opposing teams, same venue and same result win by 45 runs in the first-ever cricket Test (both figures multiple of 3); 8. An incredible coincidence in the first Test between South Africa and Australia at Cape Town, at 11:11, on 11/11/11, South Africa were 125 for 1, needing 111 more runs for the win (totaling to number 3 thrice; 9- Peter Sidle is the only bowler to take a hat-trick on his birthday i.e. 25.11.2010 (2+5+1+1+2+0+1+0= 12) multiple of 3 [18]. Famous 3Ws and 3 Ws Oval: The 3 West Indies ace cricketers and monumental ground: The 3Ws monument is dedicated to the memory of three great West Indies cricketers - Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Everton Weekes [2]. All three were born within a short distance of each other in Bridgetown, Barbados and the THREESOME made their Test cricket debut against England in 1948. Interestingly the 3Ws Oval, monumental ground, named after them is situated on the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies and was named as 3Ws in their honor, with the busts of the three Ws, opposite the oval [19].

Figure 2: The 3Ws busts.

In the financial year 2019/2020, the turnover of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was approximately 228 million British pounds- multiple of 3, the highest registered in 8 years. [20]. Indian Premier League (IPL) is a, 3 lettered, professional. Twenty20 crickets leagues in India are usually contested between March and May of every year by eight teams representing eight different cities or states in India. The league was founded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2007. To bring T20 to India and attract crowds, the business model of cricket was started in India, as Indian Premier League, just like the EPL, football game of England. Teams were auctioned to big business houses and celebrities, who in turn purchased selected players with big money to form their teams. Eight teams were formed in 2008 for approx. $723 Million- multiple of 3. This way IPL has made T20 cricket a festival with phenomenal success and big business. About 60% of IPL’s revenue is from sponsorships. The brand value of the IPL in 2019 was ?475 billion (US$6.7 billion), According to BCCI, the 2015 IPL season contributed ?11.5 billion (US$160 million) to the GDP of the Indian economy [21].

Jersey numbers by Indian cricketers related to number 3 & based on superstitions

Virat Kohli has worn number 18 ever since he won the Under19 World Cup and he captained this team also. Yuvraj Singh wore number 12, as he was born at midnight, on 12th December in Sector 12 of Chandigarh and he survived cancer and fought his way back into the team. He carries his birth date & time on his back. Rohit Sharma wore 45 as his mother suggested that he should go for 45 during his U-19 days. The opener believes this his lucky number. Hardik Pandya wears number 228 and got highest score for the Baroda U-16 team. The team was struggling at 60/4 when Pandya came in to bat and the all-rounder scored a double century and won the Test. However, for the World T20, he is wearing the number 33. Ravichandran Ashwin wears 99, as his favorite number is 9. His school roll number was also 9. But when he joined Team India, Parthiv Patel had already taken that number, so Ashwin had to settle for 99. Ashwin's Twitter handle is also @ashwinravi99. Harbhajan Singh, the off -spinner wears number 3 and he was born on 3rd July. Bhaji is one of the best spinners of his generation and believes in wearing his birth date on the back of his jersey for good luck. Ajinkya Rahane wears 27. He Considers 9 to be his favorite number. He's the third player in the team to like number 9. Since 2+7 = 9, the 27-years old went for that combo [22].

Discussion

There are 3 aspects for discussion: scientific aspect, choosing number 3 due to superstitions and amazing truths, happenings of their own.

Scientific: Number 3 symbolizes Jupiter, spreading goodness, purest love, and an eternal giver to humanity. This is the most significant of all, the most beneficial planet, called the “Guru” or the Spiritual Master. Number 3 is the first plural number by adding the very first 2 numbers, 1 and 2 [33]. Incidentally, the starting introduction of this article has many threes: VEDIC prayer, has 3 portions and then AUM, a 3 lettered word and finishes with 3 times recitation the of word peace, symbolizing tranquility. The sacred sound of AUM from your throat, has 3 stages; it starts with A, from depth within, comes up and stops at the closure of lips at M. Planet JUPITER has numerous other good attributes, viz: original, curious, creative, energetic, hardworking, social and many more [1]. Because of its Jupiter connection, number 3 has been having an enormous influence on the human mind since ancient times, as has been witnessed from the vast material, searched from Google. There is even a book of all three on every subject: art, science, mathematics, history, politics, sports, literature, idioms, music, quotations, entertainment, language, religion, nature, food, including a video demonstration [23]. Traditions were laid down in human history, one after another, for ages, all over the Globe, linking every aspect of daily life with the number 3. Repeating things countless times, turns into a habit, which transforms into the nature of human beings globally, thus offering a scientific explanation of this behavior too. To prove it further, the most prestigious and highest intellectual INTERNATIONAL AWARD, The NOBEL PRIZE, has a picture of 3 men depicting Fraternal Bond. First Miss Universe Pageant was started on 28th June 1952, a multiple of number 3 [24]. South Pole has warmed 3 times faster than the rest of the planet in the last 30 years [25]. In the North Pole, Alaska’s winter in the ice, three great things to do are: 1- Celebrating Christmas in the ice; 2- Watching dancing (Aurora) lights in the sky and 3- Local eats, besides this Google search site is dated 06.01.2018, a multiple of 3. National ocean day of Japan is celebrated on the 3rd Monday in July every year [26]. National flags 0f India, USA and Philippines in the northern hemisphere are tricolored and of Australia in the southern hemisphere is also tricoloured. Therefore number 3 dominantly pervades the Globe, from north to south, east to west and even far beyond, because this is in the very nature of the human psyche, at every available opportunity.

Choosing NO 3/superstitions: Innumerable examples have been given, where number 3 or its multiple was chosen due to superstitions of various types, linking with good luck: sometimes relating to some event e.g., birthday, etc, or some event which had proved to be a lucky one etc.

Amazing Truths

“Truth is stranger than fiction” and there is nothing unusual about amazing truths, which have been always happening since ancient times. Innumerable examples have been discovered from Google search and many more may still be there unsearched. These will go on happening; the latest is shown at D- Social/ cultural [1]. More amazing truths, with a tenacious base in all religions, social and cultural life of human society, from birth till the end, can be discovered on extensive Google search. In cricket also, the World Cup trophy has a Globe supported by 3 silver pillars, symbolizing cricket (bowling, batting and fielding. Even so, in the game of cricket too, this is but natural for number 3 to be repeated as elsewhere from the very start of the game till the latest innovation. This will go on continuing, as has been happening before.

Conclusion

Number 3 pops up again and again, with three important conclusions: - Firstly, it is purely scientific not only in clubfoot research, but in all branches of science, medical and non-medical. Secondly, there are myriad choices of number 3 by human beings due to various superstitions. This article is only the tip of the iceberg, or a drop in the ocean; on Mother Earth Planet and beyond. There must be limitless more material and one can go on and on and on. Thirdly, there are some, amazing/ unprecedented truths also, proving once again “Truth is stranger than fiction”. It has to be, because truth happens of its own and is not under our control; while fiction is the creation of the human mind, so controlled by it. Let number 3 go on inspiring the world with its highly positive and invincible attributes.

References

1. Mittal RL. 2020. Awesome repetition of number 3 in correction of Trimorphic Extreme Clubfoot Deformities by Triple Surgical Skin Expansion. (An Evolutionary, Multifaceted, Scientific Perspective). Clin J Orthop. 2: 01-11. Doi: https://doi.org/10.36811/cjo.2020.110002 

2. History of Cricket. Early Cricket (Pre 1799). Ref.: https://www.icc-cricket.com/about/cricket/history-of-cricket/early-cricket 

3. History of Cricket Ball. Ref.: https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/history-of-cricket-ball 

4. Why are there 3 stumps in the game of cricket? Ref.: https://www.quora.com/Why-are-there-3-stumps-in-the-game-of-cricket 

5. https://en.wiksssipedia.org/wiki/Wicket#History

6. Mindbounce. Ref.: https://www.mindbounce.com/trivia/the-sports-term-hat-trick-originated-in/ 

7. What is a 30 yard Circle in Cricket? (The Only Resource You Need!) Ref.: https://cricketmastery.com/30-yard-circle-in-cricket/ 

8. Cricket Types. Ref.: https://www.topendsports.com/sport/cricket/types.htm

9. Sachin Tendulkar Records. Ref.: https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/sachin-tendulkar-records

10. List of Records Held by Sachin Tendulkar. Ref.: https://sportsaspire.com/sachin-tendulkar-records 

11. Tendulkarhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_India_Test_cricket_records#Overall_Record

12. https://www.crictoday.com/detail/birthday-special-7-greatest-achievements-of-ms-dhsoni

13. M.S. Dhoni: International records as Batsman, Captain, Wicket Keeper and Birthday. Ref.: https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/ms-dhoni-records-1562679664-1 

14. Kapil Dev Biograph. Ref.: https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/kapil-dev-5344.php

15. Cricket great Don Bradman’s first-ever Baggy Green cap sold for record Australian $450,000. Ref.: https://scroll.in/field/981991/cricket-great-don-bradmans-first-ever-baggy-green-cap-sold-for-record-australian-450000

16. All Records Of Sir Don Bradman. Ref.: https://www.cricmatez.com/all-records-of-sir-don-bradman/ 

17. Don Bradman. Ref.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Bradman

18. 25 Amazing Cricket Facts That'll Blow Your Mind. Ref.: https://www.indiatimes.com/news/sports/25-amazing-et- facts-thatll-blow-your-mind-228436.html 

19. West Indies Cricket: 3Ws Monument. Ref.: https://barbados.org/3ws_memorial.htm

20. Turnover of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) from 2012/2013 to 2019/2020. Ref.: https://www.statista.com/statistics/464184/ecb-turnover/

21. Indian Premier League. Ref.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Premier_League

22. Here are the Stories Behind the Numbers that Indian Cricketers Pick for their Jerseys. Ref.: https://www.scoopwhoop.com/Story-Behind-indian-Cricketer-Jersey-Numbers/ 

23. What comes in threes?. Ref.: https://www.bookofthrees.com/what-comes-in-threes/ 

24. Miss Universe 1952. Ref.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Universe_1952 

25. Cricket World Cup Trophy. Ref.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket_World_Cup_Trophy 

26. Spot of Tea Travels. Ref.: https://spotofteatravels.com/2018/01/06/3-of-my-favorite-things-to-do-in-north-pole-alaska-during-the-winter 

27. Marine Day/. Ref.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Day/ 

Download Provisional PDF Here