Summary
Although sports and humor may seem like an unlikely pairing, when they come together the result can be quite unforgettable. From comical mishaps to bizarre celebrations, Australia’s rich sporting history has given us some of the funniest moments in sports. Take a look back at our favorite moments from the past decades and relive the moments that have defined Australian sport.
Of course, everyone loves a good laugh, and you’ll soon agree that this list will provide quite a few of them. With that said, there are some undeniably great moments in Australian sports history. Now, whether we choose to relive them by playing sports-themed slots at an AU casinos online, or, be part of them by placing wagers on our favorite team or match – sport is indeed an integral part of Australia and its people.
1. Friendly Banter
In 2018, during India’s cricket tour of Australia, Aussie skipper Tim Paine decided to flex his comedic muscles and engage in some friendly banter with a few Indian cricketers. Easing up on the tension, Paine instigated a light-hearted back and forth with wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, asking him if he could babysit his children while he took his wife to the movies. Pant was quick to give it right back to Paine calling him the temporary caption.
2. Scene-stealing Fan
At last year’s World Cup in Qatar, one Aussie fan made quite the impression as the country’s team took on France in their opening game. Panning to the Australian fans in the crowd, a camera managed to capture the moment this Aussie fan went into a shocked and panicked state after realizing that he was on the big screen. His unexpected reaction spawned countless memes insinuating that he was afraid of being caught at the game.
3. Runaway Racket
During the Australian Open match in 2011, while playing against Japanese star Kimiko Date, Agnieszka Radwanska gave us one of the funniest and most peculiar moments in the history of the competition. In the 5-5 decider round, Radwanska held her serve and took Date’s serve to deuce. However, when Date fired the ball down the center, as Radwanska went to return her racket snapped in half and went flying across the court leaving the Pole shocked and confused.
4. Poking Fun
In the 2021 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, JaspritBumrah decided to take aim at everyone’s favorite quirky cricketer Steve Smith by impersonating his weird mannerism and unique batting style. Bumrah’s hilarious take on Smith took place during the first day of the third Test in Sydney, causing the Indian players to burst into laughter. Don’t be fooled though, Smith was also flatted by the imitation enjoying the light-hearted fun during the intense Test series.
5. Surprise Attack
Generally, Australian Rugby matches are rarely the scene for comedic acts however during the 2013 tight second test in the British Lions tour, Welshman George North took Winger Israel Folau to new heights, quite literally. Responding to the opposing team member’s tackle North decided to counter the attack by simply picking up Folau and carrying him down the pitch. This surprising yet hilarious response was not lost on Folau who appeared to also find it humorous.
6. Pre-Fight Shenanigans
While weigh-ins can tend to be a very intense affair MMA fighter Sean O’Connell has taken it upon himself to bring the humor. Amassing an impressive 16 wins including eight by knockout, O’Connell’s antics during his weigh-ins have become as well-known as his performance in the ring. Whether he is wrapping his arms around his opponents to share a drink or playing a friendly game of rock paper scissors to even taking a selfie, O’Connell’s weigh-ins are undoubtedly the most entertaining.
7. Pure Joy
Rarely do we see such child-like excitement at high-level sporting events, especially golf tournaments, however during the 2008 Ryder Cup Boo Weekley could not contain his excitement when his US team secured the top spot as he mounted his driver like a horse exhibiting pure joy before cantering off the first tee on the final day. It appears that while Weekley has experienced a successful career he has never forgotten his down-to-earth country-boy roots.
8. Wrong Ball
Back in 2019, Sunderland beat Liverpool 1-0 with a goal that caused quite a stir. Six minutes into the game, striker Darren Brent scored a goal assisted by none other than a Liverpool-branded beach ball which had found its way out of a fan’s hands and into the Reds’ penalty area. Although the legality was hotly debated, the win still stands.
9. Mystery Card
Umpire Billy Bowden decided to add a humor element to the first-ever T20 international between Australia and New Zealand back in 2005 by throwing a red card into the mix. Played in the spirit of fun, both competing teams rocked retro kits, however, it was Gelnn McGrath’s reenactment of the 1981 underarm ball incident which landed him a playful red card. This refers to when Australia’s Trevor Chappell bowled underarm to save seven runs off the last ball.
10. Unlikely Triumph
Nicknamed “Eric the Eel”, Equatoguinean swimmer Eric Moussambani learnt to swim just nine months before taking on the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, going into the esteemed competition as a true wildcard. As the undisputed underdog of his heat not much was expected out of Moussambani however as luck would have it both of his competitors were recorded to have false starts. In an incredible turn of events, Eric the Eel swam his 100m freestyle head unopposed, enjoying his first time in a 50m pool.
