Footballers are often talented cricketers and Gary Lineker was no different - reminiscing about the day he scored an unbeaten 112 on a Saturday morning - before bagging a hat-trick for Tottenham the same day.
Television personality Lineker is England ’s fourth-highest goal-scorer of all-time after scoring 48 in 80 caps during his playing career. The goal scoring machine scored 282 goals in a career spanning 16 years, but many believe he could have also made it to top of cricket.
Such was Lineker's talent that while playing for Tottenham Hotspur, he provided an incredible performance in both sports on the same day.
Speaking with the Cricketer the former Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham forward recalled being asked to play for Bunbury ahead of a pre-season match against West Ham at White Hart Lane in the evening.
After being offered the opportunity to open the batting Lineker couldn't resist the challenge.
"It was at Finchley, and Courtney Walsh was opening the bowling," Lineker recalled. "He bowled me a jokey bouncer which landed in his own half. He then walked back two paces and I said: 'Courtney, I want you to bowl me a proper over.'
"The first one whistled past me. I left the second. He was sensible, bowling on a good length, outside off. I managed a couple of forward-defensives but last ball I got brave. I figured he'd bowl it on the same spot, so I flew at it and 'bang', it steamed through the covers for four. A glorious moment. I was 112 not out at lunch."
However, Lineker ran out of time to complete his innings and was forced to retired after lunch at 112no before rushing across to White Hart Lane - where he scored a hat-trick against rivals West Ham.
"What a day," added Lineker. "I did have lots of failures as well!"
The football star captained Leicestershire Schools at cricket and has previously played played against Mexico City Cricket Club (MCCC) with his fellow England team-mates John Barnes, Glenn Hoddle, Mark Hateley and Paul Gascoigne.
"If you are good at one sport with hand-eye coordination then you tend to be good at others, added Lineker. "One year we played against the MCCC, and we absolutely battered them.
"It was the year before the 1986 World Cup there. I scored a 50, I think me and Barnesy saw us through. Sir Bobby Robson loved cricket too. At about that time I had to play five games a year for two years for the real MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), and I did alright, so I got membership as a player."
