Photograph: Popperfoto/Getty ImagesSeptember 9, 2026 · The Guardian
The sport of cricket shares an enduring connection with the figure three, dating back to 1776 when a three-stump wicket debuted during a club contest staged in Surrey alongside the River Thames. This triadic motif is mirrored in key traditions of the game, including the revered third batting position occupied across eras by legends such as Don Bradman, Meg Lanning, and Joe Root. It likewise extends to bowling feats like the hat-trick, recently accomplished in remarkable fashion by Sussex player Henry Crocombe, who notched the rarity in back-to-back County Championship fixtures.