Cricket players who wear glasses
Cricket is a sport that requires both physicality and strategy, where players need to be sharp in their presence of mind, along with their athleticism on the field. However, there are instances where cricketing legends had to face difficulties due to impaired vision. But they didn’t let this setback dethrone them from their passion towards the game. Instead, they chose to wear glasses while playing it. The hallmark of these cricketers was not only their perseverance but also how they managed to turn their alleged weakness into their strength.
Daniel Vettori – Superlative Spin Bowler
One player whose image is perhaps most associated with glasses is New Zealand’s ace spinner Daniel Vettori. With his characteristic spectacles, he became one of the most potent spinners in international cricket history. Despite facing struggles due to varying eye power from a very young age, Vettori never put down his hopes nor did he compromise on his skills. It was Vettori who made it look cool to wear glasses on-filed during play.
The Advent of Contact Lenses
Over time, technology brought an impactful change, contact lenses became more prevalent among sportsmen. Still, few stalwarts continued wearing specs because that suited them well. There were substitutes available like operations for eyesight correction or using professional sports eyewear. But many cricketing icons felt better off with regular glasses without compromising upon vision clarity.
Zaheer Abbas – Asian Bradman
Zaheer Abbas, popularly known as ‘Asian Bradman,’ wore glasses throughout his career due to short-sightedness. He was one of the few batsmen who made runs comfortably against pace attacks while sporting specs on-field.
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Issues with Eye Glasses
The typical issues faced by cricketers wearing glasses include falling off while running between wickets or fielding, fogging up while playing in specific climatic conditions or under floodlights. Notwithstanding these difficulties, remarkable players never shied away from exhibiting top-level performance.
Anil Kumble – Jumbo of Indian Cricket
Anil Kumble is another iconic cricketer to have sported glasses throughout his career. Considered a legendary spinner, he bagged 619 wickets in Test cricket and wore his specs like a badge of honor. He used to sight the lines perfectly and spin the ball with commendable accuracy even with glasses on.
Safety Concerns With Eyewear
The repeated incidence of fractures near the eye region in recent times has raised questions regarding safety. Some feel that adding protective equipment such as helmets or sports glasses can solve this issue. The introduction of any new gear must maintain a balance without hampering mobility.
Other Remarkable Cricketers
Apart from Vettori, Abbas, and Kumble, several other renowned cricketers braved visual impairments by wearing corrective eyeglasses on-field. South Africa’s Clive Rice played entire ODI innings sporting ⎡glasses due to deteriorating vision. Zimbabwe’s Charles Coventry also gained fame for scoring an unbeaten double century against Bangladesh while wearing bold-rimmed spectacles.
In conclusion, wearing glasses did not pose as immense hurdles for those who were determined to achieve their dreams. Instead, they turned boundaries into opportunities proving that it takes more than just perfect visions to be at the peak of one’s game. These gentlemen should serve as inspirations for anyone who faces physical impediments yet wishes to excel in their fields passionately.
