How It's Possible for Two Batsmen to Both Reach Their Century in the Last Over with Only 3 Balls Remaining

In cricket, it is often said that numbers don't lie, but sometimes they can surprise even the most experienced cricket enthusiasts. One such intriguing scenario involves two batsmen both reaching their century in the final over with only three balls is not a common occurrence and usually requires a specific sequence of events to unfold.

The Last Over Situation

Imagine this: it's the final over of a cricket match, with just three balls left, and both batsmen are on 94 runs each. Let's delve into how this magical situation can be made possible.

Scoring Runs in the Last Over

Ball 1: The first batsman scores 6 runs with a six. Now he has 100 runs and the second batsman still has 94 runs. The batsmen switch places. Ball 2: The new batsman, who was on 94, can now hit another boundary, 4 runs. He reaches 98 runs and the batsmen switch again. Ball 3: The new batsman, who was originally on 94, can hit another boundary, 4 runs to reach 102 runs while the first batsman remains at 100 runs.

In this scenario, both batsmen have scored their centuries within the last three balls of the over. However, it's important to note that this situation is quite rare and requires perfect execution and fortuitous circumstances.

Making it Even More Interesting: The Win in the Final Ball

Now let's take it a step further. Imagine the team needs only 7 runs to win, and this can be accomplished with just 1 ball to spare in the rarest scenario.

Ball 1: Batsman 1 edges the ball and takes a single. The wicketkeeper fumbles and the ball rolls onto the helmet behind him, giving 6 runs. Batsman 1 now has 100 runs and gets batsman 2 on strike. Ball 2: Batsman 2 hits the ball out of the ground to complete his century. This not only concludes the match but does so with 1 ball to spare.

Another Twist with a No-Ball and the Wicket Keeper’s Helmet

Now, let's consider an even more extraordinary sequence:

No-Ball: The bowler bowls a no-ball. The batsman plays the shot, and the ball strikes the wicketkeeper's helmet, giving the batsman 5 runs on account of the hit after the shot with the bat (1 single 4 runs). Total 7 Runs: These 5 runs along with 1 single give the batsman 6 runs. This batsman completes his century and the strike changes. Final Ball: The other batsman comes to the crease and hits the winning six. Both batsmen remain not out.

This sequence, while incredibly uncommon, showcases the unpredictable nature of cricket and the importance of both skill and luck in the game. Every cricket match carries an element of surprise and drama, but when it involves a century in the last over, it truly sets the game apart.