10 Documentaries That Are A Must Watch For Every Cricket Fanatic
Regardless of whether you have been a cricket enthusiast for several decades or have never watched a match, the tales within the cricket world are bound to capture your attention.
There are numerous cricket documentaries available on different streaming platforms that are truly not worthy of missing. It includes a variety of content such as Caribbean-style cricket, IPL matches, and exclusive backstage footage of different dressing rooms. The list is not ranked in any particular order and hence should be devoured from top to bottom without a miss:
1) The Test: A New Era For Australian Team
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After the Australian cricket team's disappointing 2018 series with South Africa, significant changes were made to their set up. Tim Paine replaced Steve Smith as captain, and Justin Langer became the new coach, succeeding Darren Lehmann.
This 2020 documentary showcases the team's efforts to rebuild their reputation in international cricket. With the consent of both Langer and Paine, the documentary features eight episodes and offers exclusive access to the Australian dressing room.
It presents a realistic and intense portrayal of the life of an international cricketer. Langer's leadership is notable, as he candidly addresses the team's previous mistakes and strives to prevent them from repeating history.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Our Rating: 4.5/5
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2) Fire In Babylon (2010)
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The documentary narrates the rise of the West Indies cricket team during the 1970s and 1980s, when they became a dominant force in the sport. Before renowned players like Michael Holding and Viv Richards emerged, West Indian cricket was known for its highly entertaining but not necessarily successful "Calypso" approach. However, a new generation of players aimed to change this perception and revolutionize the game in both formats, marking the start of an extraordinary era for West Indian cricket.
The documentary features a wealth of archival footage and interviews with several key players of that time, offering an insightful glimpse into their journey towards success. It highlights how the team's relentless pursuit of victory, coupled with their unique style of play, captured the imagination of fans around the world.
Moreover, it showcases the social and political impact of the team's achievements, as the West Indies used their dominance in cricket to challenge the prevailing attitudes of racism and inequality in society.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Our Rating: 4.0/5
3) Cricket's Matchfixers
(Source:YouTube/AlJazeera)
Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit uncovered new and highly damaging evidence of match-fixing in international cricket. The evidence, known as the Munawar Files, revealed that a prominent match-fixer featured in a previous documentary has been involved in fixing international cricket matches since 2010, and is part of a powerful criminal syndicate. The matches include multiple fixes, totaling to 25, with two matches both teams.
The investigation also uncovers that the International Cricket Council, the sport's governing body, had knowledge of the match-fixer as far back as 2010, highlighting a significant lapse in their efforts to combat corruption in the sport.
This new evidence comes after a previous Al Jazeera documentary, "Cricket’s Match-Fixers," which had revealed widespread match-fixing in the sport and led to several investigations by cricket boards around the world.
Where to watch: YouTube
Our Rating: 4.0/5
4) Crossing the Line
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The Test series between South Africa and Australia in 2018 was infamous due to the controversy surrounding Sandpaper Gate, but the bad blood between the teams started long before that. Crossing the Line is a documentary that explores this story in depth and is one of the most compelling on the list. However, it is only 56 minutes long and could have been expanded into a series.
Crossing the Line features commentary from prominent figures in cricket and does not shy away from the controversial events that occurred during the series. It provides a fascinating insight into the tensions that existed between the two teams and the events that led up to the infamous ball-tampering incident.
Although it could have been longer, it offers a thought-provoking look at one of the most controversial moments in the history of the sport, along with the broader issues of sportsmanship and fair play.
Where to watch: YouTube
Our Rating: 4.5/5
5) BBC's Not Cricket
The documentary series called Not Cricket sheds light on various scandals that have plagued the game of cricket, with a particular focus on ball tampering and match fixing. While it may not be pleasant to focus on the negative aspects of the sport, these issues cannot be overlooked.
The BBC has been commended for its coverage of these sensitive topics in Not Cricket, which is a compelling and informative series that deals with cricket's darker side in a thorough and sensitive manner
Where to watch: BBC
Our Rating: 3.0/5
6) Cricket Fever: Mumbai Indians
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It provides an insight into the workings of an IPL franchise, specifically the Mumbai Indians, who are the most successful team in the history of the competition. The programme, which was released in 2019, focuses on the team's 2018 campaign, following them from the auction to the end of the season.
The series covers the entire season, including the team's struggles to make it to the playoffs, despite high expectations and a strong start. Throughout the documentary, viewers get to see both the highs and lows of a season in the IPL, offering a unique perspective on the workings of a successful cricket team.
Where to watch: Netflix
Our Rating: 4.0/5
7) Death Of A Gentlemen
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(Source:IMDb)
In this documentary, cricket journalists Sam Collins and Jarrod Kimber initially plan to follow the journey of Australian cricketer Ed Cowan in his quest to make it to the national team. However, the documentary takes a different turn as the journalists explore the role of test match cricket in the modern era.
The film delves into issues such as the governance of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and whether test cricket is being overshadowed by shorter formats of the game. Additionally, the documentary raises questions about whether associate nations are being given a fair chance and whether cricket is being run in the best interests of the sport.
Overall, it offers a thought-provoking look into the state of test match cricket in today's world.
Where to watch: Netflix
Our Rating: 4.0/5
8) Ben Stokes: Phoenix from the Ashes
(Source:IMDb)
It follows the life of English cricketer Ben Stokes. It charts his rise from a young boy in New Zealand to becoming one of the most exciting players in world cricket. The film also focuses on Stokes' role in England's historic win in the 2019 Cricket World Cup and his match-winning performance in the third Ashes Test at Headingley later that summer.
The documentary features interviews with Stokes, his family, and other prominent figures in cricket. It also delves into Stokes' personal life, including the events leading up to his arrest outside a Bristol nightclub in 2017.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Our Rating: 5/5
9) Roar of the Lion
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Roar of the Lion is a documentary that documents the return of the Chennai Super Kings to the Indian Premier League after being suspended for two years due to a spot-fixing scandal. The programme examines the team's key players, including captain MS Dhoni, and the impact of the scandal on the team.
The documentary provides an honest look at the team's struggles during the suspension period and how they overcame it to make a comeback in 2018.
Dhoni speaks candidly about the difficult times and the impact of the scandal on the team. Overall, Roar of the Lion offers a unique insight into the workings of a top sporting team.
Where to watch: Hotstar
Our Rating: 4/5
10) Shane
A documentary film about the life and career of former Australian cricketer Shane Warne. The film explores Warne's rise to fame as one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history, as well as his personal life and the scandals that have dogged him throughout his career. The documentary features interviews with Warne's family, friends, and former teammates, as well as archival footage of some of his most memorable performances on the field.
The film also includes interviews with Warne himself, in which he reflects on his successes and failures and offers insights into what drove him to become one of the sport's most iconic figures.
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