Where did the term “Nelson” for 111 in cricket come from?
Neil is right; It is called “a Nelson” or “Nelson’s” after Admiral Nelson, who allegedly only had “One Eye, One Arm, One Ball” near the end of his life. Another suggestion is that the number is derived from his three great victories, thus Copenhagen, Nile and Trafalgar which gives the sequence “Won – Won – Won” A score of 111 or multiples thereof (called “double nelson”, “triple nelson” etc.) is considered an ill omen in cricket, because the figures “111” resemble a wicket without bails.
