Damon Mcknight
In Australia, the number 87 is considered a bad omen, especially in the context of cricket. The superstition is believed to have originated with Keith Miller, who, as a 10-year-old, watched Sir Donald Bradman, one of Australia's greatest cricketers, get bowled out at 87 runs in a match in 1929. This incident left a lasting impression on Miller, and the number took on a superstitious significance in Australian cricket culture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Sport | Cricket |
| Reason | 13 runs short of 100 |
| Myth | 87 is a lucky number |
| Myth Origin | Keith Miller |
| Year | 1929 |
| Occurrences | 14 Australian batsmen have been dismissed at 87 |
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What You'll Learn
- The number 87 is 13 runs short of 100, a coveted score in cricket
- Australian cricketer Keith Miller considered 87 unlucky since his childhood hero, Sir Donald Bradman, was bowled out at that score
- Miller's superstition grew when his South Melbourne teammate Ian Johnston was also dismissed at 87
- Richie Benaud and other Australian cricket greats also became aware of and fearful of the number
- Despite the myth, 87 is not a common score for Australian cricketers to be dismissed on
The number 87 is 13 runs short of 100, a coveted score in cricket
The number 87 is considered unlucky in Australian cricket because it is 13 runs short of 100, a coveted score in cricket. This belief is based on a superstition that dates back to December 1929 when a 10-year-old Keith Miller watched as his hero, Sir Donald Bradman, was bowled out at 87 runs. Miller was stunned to see his idol dismissed before reaching a century, and the memory stayed with him. Years later, when Miller began playing cricket himself, he witnessed his captain for the South Melbourne team also get out on 87, further solidifying his fear of the number.
As Miller became a renowned cricketer himself, playing for both Victoria and Australia, he would nudge his teammate Ian Johnson whenever a batsman or the team reached 87. The superstition grew, and other great Australian cricketers like Richie Benaud also became aware of it. Despite the myth, data shows that the number 87 is not particularly unlucky for Australian cricket. In fact, only 12 Australian players have been dismissed on this score in the history of the game, which is less than the number of dismissals at the four scores surrounding it.
The fear of the number 87 is so profound in Australian cricket that players will avoid taking a single when the team score is 86 to avoid reaching the dreaded number. This has resulted in many crucial wickets being lost, which has contributed to the belief in the number's bad luck. However, the superstition is just that—a belief with little basis in fact.
While the number 87 may be considered unlucky by Australian cricketers, it is important to note that it is not a universally accepted "bad luck" number in Australia. It is specifically associated with cricket and the superstitions that come with the sport.
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Australian cricketer Keith Miller considered 87 unlucky since his childhood hero, Sir Donald Bradman, was bowled out at that score
The number 87 is considered unlucky in Australia, and this superstition can be traced back to the world of cricket and the iconic player Sir Donald Bradman. In 1948, during his final Test match at the Oval in London, Bradman walked out to bat in his final innings with an unbeatable career average of 99.94. With just four runs needed to retire with an average of 100, the pressure was immense. However, Bradman was bowled out by Eric Hollies for just 87, falling short of this milestone. This moment, which shocked the nation, left a lasting impression on young cricket fans, including the great all-rounder Keith Miller. Miller, who grew up idolizing Bradman, was deeply affected by this dismissal. From that day on, the number 87 took on a superstitious significance for Miller and many other Australians who witnessed or heard about this famous cricket moment. Miller's view of the number was further reinforced by another incident involving the number 87. In a match against Victoria, Miller himself was dismissed on 87, a double blow of bad luck in his eyes. This only served to reinforce the idea that 87 was an unlucky number. As a result, the number 87 took on a life of its own in Australian culture, beyond just the world of cricket. It became a number to avoid, with some people even refusing to wear jerseys or live in houses with the number 87. This superstition has persisted for decades, with many Australians still considering 87 to be a number that brings bad luck. The legacy of Sir Donald Bradman and the impact of his final dismissal continues to shape Australian culture, even for those who may not be cricket fans. So, the number 87, while just a number elsewhere, has a unique and infamous reputation in Australia, all due to a pivotal moment in the country's favorite sport.
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Miller's superstition grew when his South Melbourne teammate Ian Johnston was also dismissed at 87
The number 87 is considered an unlucky number in Australian cricket. The superstition is believed to have originated with Keith Miller, who, as a 10-year-old, watched Sir Donald Bradman—one of Australia's greatest cricketers—get bowled out at 87 runs in a match during the 1929-30 season. Miller was stunned to see his hero fall short of a century and, years later, while playing district cricket for South Melbourne, he noticed that many batsmen seemed to be dismissed on 87. Miller's superstition grew when his South Melbourne teammate Ian Johnston was also dismissed at 87. Miller recalled the time his idol, Bradman, was out for the same score and recounted the tale.
Miller's superstition was picked up by Richie Benaud, and the myth grew from there. Over time, the number 87 became widely known as cricket's devil number and was considered taboo for being 13 runs short of a century. Australian cricketers began to associate the number with bad luck, believing that it increased the likelihood of a dismissal. This belief was further solidified when Miller witnessed his South Melbourne captain get out on 87 as well.
However, it's worth noting that the superstition may not be based entirely on facts. While it is true that Australian batsmen have been dismissed on 87 runs multiple times, the frequency is relatively low compared to other scores. In the history of the game, only 12 Australian players are known to have been dismissed at 87, which equates to a minuscule 0.12% of the total number of scores made by Australian batsmen.
Despite the statistics, the number 87 continues to hold a certain amount of trepidation for Australian cricketers and fans alike. It serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of the sport and the fine line between success and failure. While some may dismiss it as mere coincidence, others choose to be cautious, avoiding singles when the team score is 86 to prevent reaching the dreaded number.
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Richie Benaud and other Australian cricket greats also became aware of and fearful of the number
The number 87 is considered a bad luck charm in Australian cricket due to its association with legendary cricketer Sir Donald Bradman getting out on that score in 1929. Keith Miller, who idolised Bradman, was in attendance and was dismayed to see his hero get out just 13 short of a century. Years later, when Miller was playing district cricket for South Melbourne, his teammate and future skipper Ian Johnston was dismissed for the same score. Miller recalled the time his hero Bradman was out for the same score and recounted the tale.
The myth grew when Richie Benaud and other Australian cricket greats also became aware of and fearful of the number. Miller's memory, however, was incorrect, as Bradman had actually scored 89. Nevertheless, the superstition persisted, and Australian cricketers continue to consider 87 an unlucky number.
The number is seen as unlucky as it is 13 runs short of a century, and Australian batsmen often avoid taking a single when the team score is 86 to avoid reaching 87. While the superstition has been debunked by statisticians, who found that only 0.12% of Australian batsmen have been dismissed on 87, the number continues to hold a certain infamy in Australian cricket.
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Despite the myth, 87 is not a common score for Australian cricketers to be dismissed on
The number 87 is widely considered a bad luck charm for Australian cricketers. The number is just 13 runs short of a century, which is the coveted 100 runs every batsman pursues. However, the myth that Australian cricketers getting dismissed on 87 is common, is just that: a myth.
The superstition surrounding the number 87 in Australian cricket dates back to December 1929. A 10-year-old Keith Miller, who would go on to become a great Australian cricketer himself, was watching a game between New South Wales and Victoria. His idol, Sir Donald Bradman, was playing for New South Wales and was bowled for 87 by Harry 'Bull' Alexander. Miller was shocked and dismayed to see his hero dismissed before reaching a century. Years later, when Miller was playing district cricket for South Melbourne, his teammate and future skipper Ian Johnston was dismissed for the same score. Miller recalled the time his hero Bradman was out for 87 and the tale grew from there.
However, the fact is that Miller's memory was incorrect. Bradman had actually scored 89 that day, not 87. In reality, only 12 or 14 Australian players have been dismissed on 87 in the history of the game, which equates to a minuscule 0.12% of the total number of scores made by Australian batsmen. In fact, the four scores on either side of 87 have resulted in more dismissals: 85 has brought about a batsman's downfall 22 times, 86 13 times, 88 20 times, and 89 19 times.
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Frequently asked questions
The number 87 is considered a bad luck number in Australia due to a superstition in cricket that it is a devil number. This superstition is based on the fact that Australian cricketers do not want to be on 87 runs as many Australian players get out at around that score.
The superstition dates back to December 1929 when a 10-year-old Keith Miller watched Sir Donald Bradman, Australia's greatest cricketer, get bowled on 87.
No, the superstition is a myth. In reality, 87 is not an unlucky number for Australia. In fact, the four scores either side of 87 feature more frequently in terms of Australian batsmen getting dismissed.
Yes, another reason is that 87 is 13 runs short of 100, the coveted score that every batsman pursues.
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