In Case You Missed It: A subcontinental battle, and mile-eating monsters
Our best content from the week gone by
ESPNcricinfo staff
24-Sep-2018
Shikhar Dhawan's century steered India to victory in their second match against Pakistan this week • Associated Press
After a few herky-jerky starts, the Asia Cup has three teams standing, with a knockout match between Pakistan and Bangladesh to decide who goes up against India in the final. Meanwhile, we're looking at which cricketers have the most mileage points and who's playing how much cricket exactly. It's been an exciting week for cricket. Here's what you need to know to get up to speed.
Rohit Sharma leads India to a crushing win over Pakistan; Bangladesh knock Afghanistan out of the Asia Cup
Captain Rohit Sharma led India to their biggest win by wickets against Pakistan, while on the same evening, in Abu Dhabi, Mustafizur Rahman defended seven runs off the last over to take Bangladesh to victory over a scrappy Afghanistan.
Captain Rohit Sharma led India to their biggest win by wickets against Pakistan, while on the same evening, in Abu Dhabi, Mustafizur Rahman defended seven runs off the last over to take Bangladesh to victory over a scrappy Afghanistan.
Mashrafe, Sarfraz slam Asia Cup scheduling
The Asia Cup hasn't been without its share of controversies. Scheduling gaffes meant that some teams shuttled back and forth between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, while Asia Cup hosts India stayed put in Dubai, making both Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza and Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed very unhappy. Watch: How much travel and rest time did each team get on this tournament?
The Asia Cup hasn't been without its share of controversies. Scheduling gaffes meant that some teams shuttled back and forth between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, while Asia Cup hosts India stayed put in Dubai, making both Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza and Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed very unhappy. Watch: How much travel and rest time did each team get on this tournament?
Mathews removed as Sri Lanka ODI captain, Chandimal takes over
Heads are rolling after Sri Lanka's ignominious exit from the Asia Cup - they lost against both Afghanistan and Bangladesh in the opening stage - with ODI captain Angelo Mathews asked to step down and the selectors picking Dinesh Chandimal in his place. But is this closing the stable door after the horses have bolted, asks Andrew Fidel Fernando.
Heads are rolling after Sri Lanka's ignominious exit from the Asia Cup - they lost against both Afghanistan and Bangladesh in the opening stage - with ODI captain Angelo Mathews asked to step down and the selectors picking Dinesh Chandimal in his place. But is this closing the stable door after the horses have bolted, asks Andrew Fidel Fernando.
Jemimah Rodrigues' breezy 57 gives India unassailable 2-0 lead
After beating Sri Lanka women 2-1 in the ODIs, India have taken a 2-0 lead over Sri Lanka in the T20Is, with two matches still to go. Eighteen-year-old Jemimah Rodrigues gave India's chase impetus after Arundhati Reddy led a disciplined bowling effort to restrict Sri Lanka to 131 for 8.
After beating Sri Lanka women 2-1 in the ODIs, India have taken a 2-0 lead over Sri Lanka in the T20Is, with two matches still to go. Eighteen-year-old Jemimah Rodrigues gave India's chase impetus after Arundhati Reddy led a disciplined bowling effort to restrict Sri Lanka to 131 for 8.
Steven Smith, David Warner return to Sydney grade cricket
Warner scored a 98-ball hundred while Smith made a 92-ball 85 after underwhelming T20 stints in the Global T20 Canada and CPL.
Warner scored a 98-ball hundred while Smith made a 92-ball 85 after underwhelming T20 stints in the Global T20 Canada and CPL.
Ed Smith shows pragmatic side as England seek formula for overseas success
With the picks for his first England touring squad, selector Ed Smith has given the Test team options galore in their attempts to finally win away, including Rory Burns and the uncapped Olly Stone and Joe Denly as part of the 16-man squad to Sri Lanka. Alan Gardner looks at how this squad might line up in the post-Alastair Cook era.
With the picks for his first England touring squad, selector Ed Smith has given the Test team options galore in their attempts to finally win away, including Rory Burns and the uncapped Olly Stone and Joe Denly as part of the 16-man squad to Sri Lanka. Alan Gardner looks at how this squad might line up in the post-Alastair Cook era.
John Harnden, John Warn duel to replace James Sutherland
Cricket Australia could name its new chief executive next week as the race to replace the outgoing James Sutherland heats up. Will it be the former Melbourne Grand Prix chairman or the former Cricket New South Wales chairman?
Cricket Australia could name its new chief executive next week as the race to replace the outgoing James Sutherland heats up. Will it be the former Melbourne Grand Prix chairman or the former Cricket New South Wales chairman?
Who plays the most cricket?
In our new annual series, we're looking at player workloads. Ever wondered which cricketers tot up the most match days in a year? Here's the answer to that and more.
In our new annual series, we're looking at player workloads. Ever wondered which cricketers tot up the most match days in a year? Here's the answer to that and more.
Who travelled how much: from Grace to Gayle
How many miles do cricketers clock in their lifetime? If you're Chris Gayle, about 2 million kilometres; that's three trips to the moon and back. Who are the other mile-eating monsters in cricket?
How many miles do cricketers clock in their lifetime? If you're Chris Gayle, about 2 million kilometres; that's three trips to the moon and back. Who are the other mile-eating monsters in cricket?
A little grace and modesty please, India
India may be swaggering now in the wake of two victories against Pakistan, but a little over a week ago they were fielding uncomfortable questions after a 4-1 loss to England. It would do them well to remember that great teams make their name on dominating consistently, in all conditions, and don't rely on belittling their predecessors to do so, says Sharda Ugra.
India may be swaggering now in the wake of two victories against Pakistan, but a little over a week ago they were fielding uncomfortable questions after a 4-1 loss to England. It would do them well to remember that great teams make their name on dominating consistently, in all conditions, and don't rely on belittling their predecessors to do so, says Sharda Ugra.
What we remember: The 2006 Oval forfeit
In our look back at the big moments in cricket in the last 25 years - it's our 25th anniversary, remember? - we examine the first forfeit in Test cricket: when a five-run penalty for ball-tampering exploded into an international diplomatic standoff.
In our look back at the big moments in cricket in the last 25 years - it's our 25th anniversary, remember? - we examine the first forfeit in Test cricket: when a five-run penalty for ball-tampering exploded into an international diplomatic standoff.