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Weird Mementos Given In Cricket (Source: AFP & James Vince/Instagram)
England fast bowlers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue received an interesting piece of memorabilia after causing havoc against Pakistan. On the opening day of the Leeds Test, the English pace duo took five wickets each. In the process, they dismantled the opposition, delivering a memorable performance.
After restricting Pakistan to just 171, Robinson and Tongue agreed to do something unique to have a keepsake from the fixture by splitting the match ball into two clear halves, so that they could keep a piece.
Ollie Robinson-Josh Tongue ball splitting: Not the first weird memento in cricket
Speaking at the post-day press conference, Ollie Robinson revealed that it was his idea to split the match ball, and Tongue agreed. He added that it was a cool way to have a piece of memorabilia to recognise the feat they achieved.
"We were walking off, and I was like, to Tonguey, I think we should split it.”
"It's one of those things, you don't have too many half-of-cricket-balls, so it would be something we never forget. It's not very often two guys get five-for in the same innings, so a nice gesture and something to remember."
However, did you know that it wasn’t the first time such a unique and unconventional memento was presented on the cricket field?
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Cricket has a history of unconventional post-match mementos and prizes. Bizarre awards have ranged from real estate plots and kitchen blenders to halved cricket balls and heavy machinery rather than traditional silver cups.
In this article, we have compiled the top 10 weird mementos given in cricket.
10) A bicycle presented to Allah Ghazanfar in ILT20 2026
During the 2025-26 International League T20 (ILT20), Afghanistan spinner Allah Ghazanfar showed sharp reflexes to take a brilliant caught-and-bowled. The crucial dismissal off James Neesham powered MI Emirates deep into the competition.
Notably, for the sharp catch, Ghazanfar won a ‘premium high-performance bicycle’ from one of the tournament sponsors, The Cycle Hub, for the Catch of the Season.
Soon the moment struck fans as humorous because of the nature of the moment. A luxury pushbike was seen as an oddly practical and random prize for an elite international cricketer who usually expects cash, cars, or even silverware for such awards.
9) Scottish Drinking Vessel ‘Quaich’ to Australia Captain Mitch Marsh in 2024
In September 2024, Australia’s T20 series win over Scotland ended in laughter, but not just because of their dominant performances.
After completing a 3-0 sweep in Edinburgh, the Australian players were left baffled by an unusual trophy, with an object resembling an “ice-cream cup”, or as some of the jokingly called it, a “kadhai.
The mini-bowl, known in Scotland as a “quaich”, is traditionally used for drinking whiskey or other beverages.
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When the presenter handed over the trophy to captain Mitchell Marsh, the entire team burst into laughter. Marsh himself couldn’t hide his amusement, holding the cup with a mix of confusion and humour.
Players gathered for a team photo, unsure of how to pose with the tiny, unconventional ‘silverware’, further adding to the hilarity of the moment.
8) A blender as Player of the Match in 2013
In 2013, English cricketer Luke Wright picked up 3 for 33 in the the Dhaka Premier Division in Savar, Bangladesh.
Wright, after his sensational bowling display, showcased his mettle with the bat as well. The former England cricketer took the attack to the opposition right from the get-go and smashed 66 runs off 49 balls. His blistering knock helped Shahriar Nafees & co. win the game with 14 balls to spare.
For his all-round might, Wright was adjudged the Player of the Match. However, to everyone’s surprise, he was presented a blender as the POTM prize. It was a unique moment, and Luke also took to Twitter to showcase his peculiar award.
7) A rice cooker to Eoin Morgan in 2013
During the 2013 edition of the Dhaka Premier League, a domestic one-day tournament in Bangladesh, former England captain Eoin Morgan ended his inexplicable streak of low scores with an 86-run knock in the final.
Morgan’s special innings helped Gazi Tank Cricketers clinch their maiden title when they comfortably beat Prime Doleshwar by 60 runs.
Thus, for his match-winning performance, Morgan was named the Man of the Match. However, instead of a traditional trophy or medal, he was handed an electronic rice cooker.
Interestingly, it made Morgan briefly wonder if it was a deep metaphor for performing well ‘under pressure’, but it turned out to be a promotional product from one of the tournament’s local sponsors.
6) Jasprit Bumrah won a mini truck in 2017
High on confidence after taking an unassailable 4-0 lead, a dominant India completed a whitewash in a 5-match series against Sri Lanka when the two teams faced off in the fifth and final One-day International (ODI) at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in September 2017.
During the series, a young Jasprit Bumrah took 15 wickets across the 5 matches during India's ODI tour of Sri Lanka. For his impeccable performance, he was named Player of the Series and won an Eicher Polaris Multix mini-truck (personal utility vehicle).
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For the fans watching the elite Indian cricketer awkwardly pose with a ‘utility vehicle’ at a grand stadium podium, it created a humorous contrast.
Moreover, former India captain MS Dhoni couldn’t contain his love of vehicles and hopped into the driver’s seat of the newly won vehicle and took his teammates on a joyful victory lap around the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Players like KL Rahul, Kedar Jadhav, and Axar Patel crowded onto the seats and back luggage board for the ride, creating one of the most comical victory laps in Indian cricket.
5) When Jhye Richardson was awarded a bat grip and shoelaces in 2019
Jhye Richardson’s spell of 4-26 was instrumental in Australia’s 34-run win over India in the first ODI of the series on January 12, 2019. The young pacer was named Player of the Match afterwards.
However, while players who win the award are usually handed some form of cash reward or silverware, Richardson’s prize left quite a lot to be desired.
In a nice gesture, the prize money meant to be handed out to the player was rather donated to charity, but the alternative award handed to Richardson, a bat grip and some shoelaces, had many fans confused.
4) WWE Championship-like Belts in the International League T20
For the unaware, the ILT20 in the UAE awards signature, WWE-style championship belts - manufactured by Wildcat Belts - instead of traditional Orange or Purple caps or medals to honour top performers to stand out from other cricket tournaments.
The iconic colored belts include the Green Belt (highest run-scorer), White Belt (best bowler), Red Belt (most valuable player), and Blue Belt (best UAE player). However, each belt winner also receives an associated cash prize.
3) A lawnmower handed to Makhaya Ntini in 2003
In June 2003, South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini was famously awarded a lawnmower as the Man of the Match for his stellar performance against Ireland at Clontarf, Dublin, adding another comical instance to the list of weird mementos given in cricket.
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However, to avoid massive excess baggage fees on his flight home, Ntini chose not to pack it. Instead, he took a cash alternative of equal value provided by the sponsors. Nonetheless, this instance led to an iconic photo of Ntini posing with the machine on the outfield.
2) Half Acre Land in GT20 Canada 2023
West Indies cricketer Sherfane Rutherford, known for his stints with Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, was honoured for his outstanding performance in the 2023 Global T20 Canada cricket tournament.
On August 6th, 2023, the Montreal Tigers won the 2023 Global T20 Canada cricket tournament after defeating the Surrey Jaguars by five wickets in the final at the TD Cricket Arena in Brampton, Ont.
Rutherford's exceptional display throughout the tournament led to him being crowned as the Player of the Tournament. As a recognition of this remarkable achievement, he was awarded half an acre of land in the United States.
People remarked that Rutherford not only garnered recognition but also obtained a tangible asset in the USA that symbolises his remarkable cricketing prowess.
1) James Vince got a hairdryer in PSL 2025
During the 2025 season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), England batter James Vince, playing for the Karachi Kings, scored a 43-ball 101, helping his side chase down a massive target of 235.
He took it in good humour, posting a picture of the gift on Instagram with the caption: "Here she is, lovely upgrade on the hotel dryer."
For his brilliant century against the Multan Sultans, Vince received a hairdryer as a quirky "most reliable player" dressing-room sponsor gift (from the appliance brand Dawlance).
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