Save the last laugh

Cricket gives you plenty of reasons to smile

Wicket game: David Warner and Younis Khan have a giggle in the middle © Getty Images

Amid all the on-field bad blood and sniping and stoushes, isn't it nice to just see cricketers laughing once in a while? There's no lack of opportunities for mirth in the midst of matches - there's always a good laugh at a batter taking a tumble, a nervous laugh when a catch is dropped, the very relieved laughter when the DRS validates your decision.

David Warner has a fearsome reputation as a batter, but he's surprisingly adept at cracking people up. In 2014 when he was standing in as wicketkeeper for an injured Brad Haddin, he was also dabbling in comedy behind the stumps - successfully, if Younis Khan's reaction is anything to go by. In the photo below, returning to the Ashes after his Sandpapergate ban, Warner has the English crowd in splits after turning out his pockets to prove there's nothing hidden in there.

Crowd work: Warner's got plenty of jokes in his pocket © Getty Images

Fred Trueman was known for his wit and banter on field, so no one was surprised he slid easily into a career in entertainment after his cricket-playing days, including as a stand-up comic at nightclubs, making people laugh professionally.

Right said Fred: Trueman was a real stand-up guy © Getty Images

When you're all that's standing between your team and an innings defeat, all you can do is defiantly laugh in the face of certain defeat, as Peter Siddle did in the first Test of the 2010 Ashes.

He who bats last laughs loudest © Getty Images

There may be no love lost between captains during a game, but pre-toss, all is light and cheer between rivals. Michael Clarke and Mahela Jayawardene find something to laugh about, presumably the disembodied hands of the titular heroes of the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy.

Show of hands if you think this trophy is funny © Getty Images

You can never pass up an opportunity to point and laugh at a team-mate, and Clay Smith gave Saleem Mukuddem plenty of reason to chortle when he fell asleep waiting for the 2007 World Cup match between Bermuda and Bangladesh to start after a rain delay.

Clean sleep: Clay Smith is never living this down Clive Rose / © Getty Images

The Queen met Kevin Petersen's parents when she hosted the 2005 Ashes-winning team at Buckingham Palace, and they were clearly regaling her with embarrassing stories from his childhood if the photo below is any indication.

Monarchee-hee: Kevin Pietersen braces for the dad jokes Fiona Hanson / © Getty Images

Team photocalls are always opportunities for hijinks and the only one not laughing is probably the photographer. In the photo below, Kent coach Jimmy Adams hasn't wised up to the antics of Mitchell Claydon behind him.

Mitchell Claydon has a ball. Jimmy Adams doesn't © Getty Images

Tony Greig's outsize persona shone through even at his memorial, where anecdotes about his life and career got belly laughs out of his commentary box colleague Bill Lawry.

Whadda player: Bill Lawry remembers Tony Greig with a fond laugh © Getty Images

Colin Milburn's story is one of the great tragedies of cricket, but even when he was in the hospital after the accident that saw him lose his left eye, he kept the staff entertained. His chart supposedly read: "His infectious good humour and indomitable spirit raised morale throughout the hospital."

Colin Milburn has his nurses giggling even as he leaves the hospital © Hulton Archive

Deepti Unni is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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