Four weirdest man of the match awards in cricket history

"Man of the match" award in a cricket match is given to the one who played brilliantly. Maybe he or she got the highest individual runs, or the one who took the most wickets. But in some games in cricket history, man of the match award is given to strange incidents. So let's look in to them.

01. Man of the match award for the whole team.

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Normally "Man of the match" award is given to the most fascinating individual performance of the game. But in the fourth ODI match of New Zealand tour West Indies 1996, whole New Zealand cricket team got the man of the match award. In this match New Zealand batted first. They scored 158 runs. This was a low scoring match. West Indies were only managed to score 154 runs. Kiwis bawled very decently in this match. Every bowler got at least a wicket. Because of this incredible and thrilling performance, "Man of the match" award presented to the whole New Zealand team.

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There was another incident like this in the same year. Pakistan went to England for the ODI match series. In the 3rd ODI between them England scored 246 runs. Nick Knight scored a beautiful century in that match. But there was no much support from the fellow partners. Pakistani bowlers bowled really well in this match. Most of the bowlers got wickets. When they came to bat, they batted hard to pass the England's score. Because of that whole Pakistani team awarded with the "Man of the man" award.

02. Man of the match without a run, wicket or catch.

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In 2001, there was a ODI tournament between Zimbabwe, India and West Indies. In the first match of Coca-Cola tournament Zimbabwe and West Indies came face to face. there was a significant incident in this match. Cameron cuffy awarded with man of the man without scoring, taking a wicket or taking a single catch. West Indies scored 266/5 in thier inning. In Zimbabweans inning bowlers did a decent job. Marlon Samuel got 3 wickets in his 5 overs. Even though other bowlers got wickets, Cameron Cuffy did not get any wicket. But he only gave 20 runs in his 10 overs. Because of this he awarded with man of the match award.

03. Man of the match for fielding

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I think many cricket fans are heard about this. In the fourth game of hero cup 1993 South Africa faced West Indies in Mumbai. South Africa managed put 180 runs on the scoreboard. In the West Indies batting inning Jonty Rhodes took magnificent catches to send Brian Lara, Phil Simmons and Desmond Haynes back the pavilion. He took another two catches after that. He set a world record for most catches by a outfielder that day. Because of this heroic effort, West Indies only managed to score 139 runs. Jonty Rhodes awarded with Man of the match in this match because of his brilliant fielding.

04. Man of the match for Groundmen's effort

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In December 12, 2000 South Africa hosted New Zealand for final test match of the three match series. Due to the heavy rain in The Imperial Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg 1st, 3rd and 4th days of the final test match could not be played. But due to the mammoth effort of groundman Chris Scott an his staff test match had a lifeline. Because of this effort during the 2nd and 5th days of the test match 190.5 overs were played. Match ended with a draw. But at the post match ceremony these groundmen awarded with the Man of the Match award for this significant effort.