Who has scored the most centuries ODI Cricket World Cup?
Here is a quick answer: Rohit Sharma & Sachin Tendulkar have scored the joint highest number of hundreds in ODI Cricket World Cups at 6 centuries each.
Rohit Sharma has a chance to go ahead of the pack by scoring more hundreds in the upcoming 2023 ODI Cricket World Cup.
Key Takeaways
10 cricketers have scored 4 or more centuries in the ODI Cricket World Cup. Rohit Sharma & Sachin Tendulkar lead the pack with 6 each, with Kumar Sangakkara, Ricky Ponting, and David Warner close behind with 5 each.
Sri Lanka, India, and Australia have 3 representatives each from this list while South Africa has only one in AB de Villiers
Rohit Sharma and David Warner are the only current players in the list. Joe Root is currently sitting at 3 World Cup tons.
Title: Mind and Matter: A Life in Math and Football
Authors: John Urschel and Louisa Thomas
Pages: 238
Chapters: 28
Publisher: Penguin Press, New York, 2019
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Mind and Matter Summary
This book is a goldmine for people who like mathematics, college football, sports, and reading in general.
For the mathematician, there are mentions of John von Neumann, Pascal, Fermat, Heisenberg, Bernoulli, Schrodinger, Kolmogorov, Leibniz, Newton, Godel, G.H. Hardy, Einstein and brief dives into the topics of probability, dynamical systems, Markov Chains, physics, measure theory, gambling, game theory, linear algebra, numerical analysis, set theory, and logic. For the football fan, there are references to locker room talks, deep friendships, training drills, college football season, tryouts, the NFL draft, CTE, concussions, injuries, and more.
Urschel reflects on the constant internal push and pull between doing mathematics and playing football. We learn how he developed these interests and navigated both spheres of his life without losing proficiency in either one. He ended up playing at the highest level in NFL with the Baltimore Ravens and completed his PhD in mathematics from MIT, specializing in linear algebra, graph theory, and numerical analysis. We also learn about important events that occurred during his education like the Jerry Sandusky scandal and how it impacted the Penn State community.
Quick Review
Two aspects that I really enjoyed were how (1) the writing style matched (2) the content of the book. The book seamlessly alternates between football and mathematics at different stages of his life. For example, he talks about Concussion in one chapter and moves on to Heisenberg’s Uncertainty principle in the next. The length of each chapter ranges from 4-15 pages, making it an accessible read.
I definitely recommend Mind and Matter for all ages looking to pick up a short, fun, and inspirational book.
Quotes from “Mind and Matter: A Life in Math and Football”: 5 Life Lessons We Can Learn from John Urschel
Background
Let’s start with a little back story. My family gifted me this book on my birthday.
In my undergraduate years studying mathematics, Urschel’s poster hung outside the math department. For four years, I walked by it, the image slowly getting ingrained in the deep echelons of my memory. I always smiled when I saw it but did not give it much deep thought.
However, over the years, I have often been conflicted and never really come to terms with balancing my own interests, whether that is as a mathematician, sports enthusiast, programmer, teacher, writer, or as a violinist.
I am glad to have finally received the opportunity to read this book, which breathed life into Urschel’s poster and provided me with some topics of reflection. The perfect gift.
In any case, here are a few quotes and life lessons that stuck with me from John Urschel’s life.
1. “So often, people want to divide the world into two. Matter and energy. Wave and particle. Athlete and mathematician. Why can’t something (or someone) be both?”
At some point in our childhood, we have all been asked the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Humans are multi-dimensional creatures. Kids especially are innately curious and are fascinated by different sort of things like solving puzzles, running around, reading a book, etc.
But as we grow up, there is the societal narrative to pick a field, choose a profession, and sacrifice interests that will not result in monetary gain later on.
Life Lesson 1: You can be a jack of many trades. You can be a master of one. Life is about choices and there really isn’t a right or wrong way. You can go the route of John Urschel, Justin Timberlake, Albert Einstein, Farhan Akhtar, Elon Musk or the way of Michael Phelps, Sachin Tendulkar, and John Nash. Be curious, be yourself. Why limit yourself to one sky when you can explore many galaxies?
2. “Nothing made me want to take that class more than being told that I couldn’t do it. That was my nature. If someone thought I wasn’t up for something, then I had to show them wrong.”
The only way to reach the peak is to overcome the struggle.
Stressing is bad, but struggling can be good.
Life Lesson 2: Challenges can be daunting, but they have the potential to mold you into the person you want to become. Take the extrinsic negative noise and convert it into positive intrinsic motivation. A ‘can do’ attitude is the way to go.
3. “I decided to stay. I did not know what would happen to the football team… But I loved Penn State, and I loved my teammates. I wasn’t going to walk away.”
I’ll jump directly into the life lesson on this one.
Life Lesson 3: Friendships and relationships are often the strongest bonds and the easiest ones to break. When someone close to you is in need, be there for them. Make time for your loved ones regardless of how busy you are. Send a quick text or give them a call.
4. “I wanted challenges. I liked the feeling of being tested—even if I disliked the tests we took at school.” Improvement did not always come easily. It took work. But there was nothing like realizing that what had seemed hard before now seemed easier, or that what I had done badly before I could now do well. Solving problems like the Einstein puzzle gave me satisfaction and clarity I rarely felt anywhere else. It gave me a sense of purpose. It gave me a sense of power.”
Similar to #2 but with a slight distinction.
Challenges are a common theme in Urschel’s journey, but here he stresses that these challenges came from within. Hence, overcoming them was more satisfying.
Life Lesson 4: If you do things that you enjoy, then even the greatest of challenges become child’s play.
5. “He was struck by the diligence and determination that brought to the work—or make me want to work even harder. ‘It is fascinating to see your progress and enthusiasm..'”
And finally, whatever you do, do it with a smile!
Life Lesson 5: Hardwork is good, but do you know what is even better? Hardwork plus enthusiasm.If you work with a smile, this will provide positive energy to those around you. A win-win situation.
Bonus: Relationship Between Math & Football by John Urschel
Here are a few quotes from John Urschel’s Path to Math& NFL film interviews that shed light into both of his topics of interest.
“Football helped my math career in a number of ways. In football, you’re constantly being challenged, every single day. You’re being knocked down and you have to get up, constantly fight back. Build this sense of resiliency. That has helped me in my math, the resiliency. Even when I try 99 things and I fail, I still try the 100th time. Stay curious.
“Math certainly defines football. Football is a game of numbers, and this governed by math. The physics going on, the forces, the momentums, the passes, the kicks, the catches, this is all mathematics….Every football player is just like a math formula in a way…My quantitative thinking is what helps me see what [the opposition does] and immediately know what I’m supposed to do.”
“The biggest similarity is intuition. In mathematics, intuition is a really strong thing that can help you. In football, you need instincts to make split second decisions.”
And finally, I am going to leave you with this one really cool fact: He wears #64 on the field, “a perfect square and perfect cube. A true mathematician’s number.”
John Urschel is famous for simultaneously pursuing professional careers in football and mathematics. He went to the highest level with the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL an became a professor of mathematics.
How did John Urschel Contribute to Mathematics?
John Urschel’s contributions have been in spectral graph theory, linear algebra, and numerical analysis among others. The Spectral Bisection of Graphs and Connectedness is one of his searly significant mathematical contributions.
Why did John Urschel Retire?
John Urschel retired because he wanted to focus on mathematics full-time and give time to his daughter and family. There was also an additional layer of concern with concussion he had suffered earlier.
Bangladesh Cricket Schedule 2023 Cricket World Cup—The Complete Guide.
2019 was probably Bangladesh’s best ODI World Cup with Shakib Al Hasan’s all-round performance. However, they fizzled out at the end. Does their schedule allow them to play high intensity cricket all the way through?
Let’s find out together.
Key Takeaways from Bangladesh’s World Cup Schedule
Bangladesh begin their opening match against Afghanistan on October 7, 2023 and play their last group stage match against Australia on November 11, 2023.
Bangladesh play three 3-day games, more than any team in the tournament.
The Tigers will play two games at Dharamsala, Kolkata, and Pune. They also have one game scheduled in Mumbai (Wankhede), Chennai, and Delhi.
Bangladesh have had a steady few years in ODI cricket. They have been rising since 2015 and ended in the Top 2 of the ODI Super League. However, their fortunes have dipped this year with the batting not pulling their
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Bangladesh Cricket Schedule 2023 Cricket World Cup
When is Bangladesh’s first match in the 2023 cricket World Cup?
Bangladesh’s first match is on October 7th, 2023 against Afghanistan.
Can Bangladesh defeat India in the 2023 Cricket World Cup?
Bangladesh surely have the potential to defeat India. It will be tough, but with spin conditions in Pune, Bangladesh may have a chance in a low scoring thriller.
When will Bangladesh play Sri Lanka in the 2023 Cricket World Cup?
Bangladesh will play archrivals, Sri Lanka, on November 6, 2023.
Afghanistan Cricket Schedule 2023 Cricket World Cup—The Complete Guide.
Afghanistan had a horrible 2019 World Cup. They have been steadily rising, but can they finally leave their mark in an ODI World Cup?
Let’s dive right in.
Key Takeaways from Afghanistan’s World Cup Schedule
Afghanistan begin their opening match against Bangladesh on October 7, 2023 and play their last group stage match against South Africa on November 10, 2023.
Except one, all of Netherlands’ matches are Day-Night affairs, scheduled to begin at 2 PM local time. The only day game is their opening game against Bangladesh in Dharamsala.
Afghanistan will play two games at Chennai and Delhi, while Dharamsala, Pune, Lucknow, Mumbai (Wankhede), and Ahmedabad will host one each.
Sri Lanka Cricket Schedule 2023 Cricket World Cup—The Complete Guide.
Sri Lanka has bittersweet memories from the 2011 World Cup in India. They are back here with a lesser experienced squad. Can they lift the trophy after 27 years?
Let’s dive right in by analyzing their fixtures.
Key Takeaways from Sri Lanka’s World Cup Schedule
Sri Lanka begin their opening match against South Africa on October 7, 2023 and play their last group stage match against New Zealand on November 9, 2023.
Except one, all of Netherlands’ matches are Day-Night affairs, scheduled to begin at 2 PM local time. The only day game is against Netherlands in Lucknow.
The Lankans will play two games at Lucknow, Delhi, and Bengaluru (back-to-back) and one each in Mumbai (Wankhede), Hyderabad, and Pune.
Sri Lanka Cricket Schedule 2023 Cricket World Cup: List of Sri Lanka’s World Cup Fixtures
1. Sri Lanka vs South Africa – Oct 7, 2023
SL vs SA 2023 ODI World Cup Details
Venue: Delhi
Stadium: Arun Jaitley Stadium
Time: 2:00 PM Local (8:30 AM GMT)
SL vs SA 2023 Preview
This game will be closer than it appears. Although South Africa is in red hot form at the moment, take SL lightly at your own peril. Especially with their spinners in Delhi.
Stadium: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium
Time: 2:00 PM Local (8:30 AM GMT)
SL vs Aus 2023 Preview
Lucknow. Spin. Australian middle order. Sri Lanka’s best time to put a statement in the tournament. If they win, they will be in contention for the race to the semis. If they lose, forget about it.
Sri Lanka should win a couple but there is too much uncertainty right now. Injuries, Shanaka’s form and captaincy, etc. We would love for Lanka to go to the semis, but it is looking unlikely at the moment.
New Zealand Cricket Schedule 2023 Cricket World Cup—The Complete Guide.
Can New Zealand take one final step towards victory this time? How does their schedule look? We will answer all of your questions.
Let’s dive in.
Key Takeaways from New Zealand’s World Cup Schedule
New Zealand begin their opening match against England on October 5, 2023 and play their last group stage match against Sri Lanka on November 9, 2023.
Except one, all of Netherlands’ matches are Day-Night affairs, scheduled to begin at 2 PM local time. Oddly enough, the marquee Trans-Tasman contest of Australia-New Zealand is the only day game.
The Kiwis will play two games at Chennai, Dharamsala, and Bengaluru (back-to-back) and one each in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Pune.
In 2019, Bangladesh could have defeated NZ in a low scoring thriller had it not been a missed run out chance by Mushfiqur Rahim. That game was in England, this is in Chennai. Expect Bangladesh’s spinners to come to the party.
If the Bangladesh game doesn’t scare the Kiwis, the Afghanistan game definitely will. If it is the usual Chennai pitch, Rashid-Mujeeb-Nabi-Noor can be a handful.
Stadium: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium
Time: 10:30 AM Local (5 AM GMT)
NZ vs Aus 2023 Preview
Should be a cracker of a contest. This race, at the moment, is too close to call. I reckon one of these two will get into the semis, but not both. This game could well be a decider.one
Check Out:
7. New Zealand vs South Africa – Nov 1, 2023
NZ vs SA 2023 ODI World Cup Details
Venue: Pune
Stadium: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium
Time: 2:00 PM Local (8:30 AM GMT)
NZ vs SA 2023 Preview
One of cricket’s underrated rivalries. The scars of 2015 are still fresh for the Proteas. I’m giving South Africa a slight advantage due to incoming form, but on the day, it could be anyone’s game.
With back to back games at the Chinnaswamy – it is advantage New Zealand.
Final Thoughts
The Kiwis have a couple of slippery peels early on in spin conditions. If they lose a few up front, some of the marquee games against Australia, South Africa, or Pakistan could become virtual knockouts.
