Somewhere among all the aggressive posturing a game of cricket demands - the stare-downs, the fist-waving, the belligerent celebrations - are hidden a few tender moments of love and camaraderie, expressed largely through a gentle squeeze, as in the picture above. Justin Langer ended his Test career at the non-striker's end when Matthew Hayden hit the winning runs to seal a 5-0 victory in the 2007 Ashes in Sydney, the match that also saw the retirements of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. You can bet there was a lot of emotional clutching at each other that day.
Hugs rarely get their moment in the limelight, though they're sprinkled generously through most games - to celebrate hundreds, historic wins, wrenching losses, and sometimes, just because. In the photo below, Virat Kohli and Kevin Pietersen share a moment straight out of a Bollywood movie poster.
Hugs are not necessarily all that tender - just look at Warne's running leap into Andrew Symonds' arms.
Have a flair for the dramatic? There's always a moment for it on the cricket field. Rubel Hossain channels Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan's trademark pose, which also conveniently leaves plenty of room for a quick squeeze.
The real reason batters wear all that protection? To put as much as possible between them and unwelcome fans on the field.
Sometimes all you need after a big win is a shoulder to cry happy tears on. Sarah Taylor offers her very capable wicketkeeper's arms to Charlotte Edwards after she led England to their third Women's World Cup title, in 2009.
Growing up with siblings, love for each other is mostly expressed through wrestling matches and fisticuffs. But it's all forgiven when you get to hand them their ODI cap, as Hardik Pandya did for older brother Krunal.
Recommended Read
Umpires are the unofficial pack mules of cricket, having to hold on to sweaters, caps, glasses, and sometimes players themselves.
You know who never gets hugs on the field irrespective of the outcome of the match? The umpires who've spent all day, or five, standing in it. So they have to do it themselves.
Sometimes all you need is a warm body to hold, especially on cold photo-call days in the English summer. Marcus Trescothick finds one in his Somerset team-mate.
Is the spirit of cricket ever more in evidence than when a bowler calls back a batter after running him out at the non-striker's end? Embrace the moment
One-on-one hugs are no good after a World Cup win. An occasion like this demands a full-blown cuddle puddle.
