With the Indian Premier League almost coming to an end, and if you think you are going to miss cricketing action, we bring you five of the best documentaries on cricket you can watch and get the best of cricketing actions and more.
1. Death of a Gentleman
Written and directed by three cricket journalists Sam Collins, Jarrod Kimber and Johnny Blank, Death of a Gentleman was released in 2016. The documentary has a strong narrative alleging how the ‘Big Three’ Board of Control for Cricket India(BCCI), England and Wales Cricket Board(ECB) and Cricket Australia(CA) have taken over the governance and finances of cricket for their financial gain.
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This documentary features interviews with the likes of N Srinivasan, the then BCCI chief and Giles Clarke.
It was recognized as the Television Sports Documentary of the Year at the prestigious Sports Journalists’ Awards in London in 2016.
2. Out of the Ashes
Out of the Ashes is a 2010 British documentary film directed by Tim Albone, Lucy Martens and Leslie Knott and Oscar-winner Sam Mendes as executive producer.
This documentary shows the Afghanistan Cricket Team’s meteoric rise in the cricketing world against a backdrop of war and poverty.
The feature-length documentary excellently depicts the team’s remarkable journey over two years, leading to their qualification for the 2010 ICC World Twenty20.
India vs Pakistan: A Bat and Ball War
From facing pitch vandalism to having snakes thrown at them, the Pakistan Cricket Team faced all sorts of security threats when they arrived in 1999, for their first-ever test tour in India since 1987.
This single-part documentary goes on to show behind the scenes of the thrilling two-match Test series, gaining access to the visitors’ dressing room and private parties.
4. Fire in Babylon
A 2010 British documentary film, Fire in Babylon is based on the all-conquering West Indies teams of the 1970s and 1980s. The British documentary written and directed by Stevan Riley, shows in detail about the rise of the Caribbean outfit from a talented and entertaining outfit to one which broke all records lying in its path.
The documentary features stock footages of several Windies greats including Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes and Michael Holding.
This documentary was nominated for a British Independent Film Award for Best Documentary and was the joint-winner (with Reggae Britannia) of the UNESCO Award at the Jamaica Reggae Film Festival 2011
5. Crossing the line
This one-episode documentary by South African broadcaster SuperSport, takes us back to the events that led to the infamous scandal between David Warner and AB de Villiers which occurred during the third Test of Australia’s Test tour of South Africa in 2017-18, in Cape Town.
‘Sandpapergate’ controversy is known as one of the ugliest series of recent times. The documentary shows what happened behind the scenes, starting from a staircase altercation between David Warner and Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada shoulder barging Steve Smith, Warner’s mouthy send off to AB de Villiers, and more.
The documentary featuring interviews with leading commentators like Graeme Smith, Shane Warne and Michael Holding, among others, mainly focuses on how the win-at-all-costs approach of the Australian Cricket Team came at the cost of their image.
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