In Case You Missed It: Cancellations, cuts and #CatCricket
Our best content from last week
ESPNcricinfo staff
20-Apr-2020
Meowzzat! Cats are the latest stars of cricket online • Getty Images
The 2020 IPL has become the latest casualty of ongoing cricket schedule disruption, even as cricketers find their county contracts cancelled or deferred, cricket board staff take massive pay cuts, and ICC tournaments like the T20 World Cup later look increasingly doubtful. These are tough times, but we'll get by with a spot of #CatCricket and nostalgia. Here's last week's action to carry you through this week.
With India in lockdown, IPL 2020 suspended till further notice
With no real end in sight to the Covid-19 pandemic and the disruptions in its wake, the BCCI has formally suspended the 12th edition of the IPL and informed franchises. No fresh window has been finalised.
With no real end in sight to the Covid-19 pandemic and the disruptions in its wake, the BCCI has formally suspended the 12th edition of the IPL and informed franchises. No fresh window has been finalised.
Playing India is like pie in the sky - Ehsan Mani
With no bilateral series lined up between the two countries, the PCB chief said the board is exploring alternative revenue streams with the broadcast deal set for renewal. He also warned of the financial fallout of the potential cancellation of the T20 World Cup due to the Covid-19 disruption, and how it could adversely impact the ICC's revenue distributions to members and boards.
With no bilateral series lined up between the two countries, the PCB chief said the board is exploring alternative revenue streams with the broadcast deal set for renewal. He also warned of the financial fallout of the potential cancellation of the T20 World Cup due to the Covid-19 disruption, and how it could adversely impact the ICC's revenue distributions to members and boards.
India qualify for 2021 Women's World Cup after ICC splits points from unplayed Pakistan series
This means Pakistan do not automatically qualify for the tournament, which they would have had ICC's technical committee awarded full points to Pakistan, as they did in 2016. Instead they now have to play the qualifiers that were originally scheduled to take place in July in Sri Lanka but are now under review because of the pandemic. PCB chairman Ehsan Mani has said he's "disappointed" with the decision and an internal team will review it.
This means Pakistan do not automatically qualify for the tournament, which they would have had ICC's technical committee awarded full points to Pakistan, as they did in 2016. Instead they now have to play the qualifiers that were originally scheduled to take place in July in Sri Lanka but are now under review because of the pandemic. PCB chairman Ehsan Mani has said he's "disappointed" with the decision and an internal team will review it.
Dream Team: Who makes it to our Asian World Cup-winning dream team?
And how do we resolve the matter of who should be captain, and whether Imran Khan and Kapil Dev both deserve a place in the XI? Osman Samiuddin, Sharda Ugra and Andrew Fidel Fernando play selectors for an Asian dream team.
And how do we resolve the matter of who should be captain, and whether Imran Khan and Kapil Dev both deserve a place in the XI? Osman Samiuddin, Sharda Ugra and Andrew Fidel Fernando play selectors for an Asian dream team.
Hot Seat: Who gets to bowl first at Steven Smith?
It's 30 for 2 on the first day at the SCG. Steven Smith comes out to bat. Who do you give the ball to? And what's the field? The ESPNcricinfo staff take a stab at playing captain.
It's 30 for 2 on the first day at the SCG. Steven Smith comes out to bat. Who do you give the ball to? And what's the field? The ESPNcricinfo staff take a stab at playing captain.
What we're watching
Remember the time Dinesh Karthik took a wicket? Or when Aravinda de Silva played for Malaysia? Deivarayan Muthu is revisiting all the oddball formats that have come and gone in cricket. Osman Samiuddin meanwhile is delighting in a moustachioed Waqar Younis and revelling in some legspinning allrounder... er, porn.
Remember the time Dinesh Karthik took a wicket? Or when Aravinda de Silva played for Malaysia? Deivarayan Muthu is revisiting all the oddball formats that have come and gone in cricket. Osman Samiuddin meanwhile is delighting in a moustachioed Waqar Younis and revelling in some legspinning allrounder... er, porn.
Alternative Universe
What if South Africa win the 2015 World Cup They gloriously beat New Zealand in the semis and roll over Australia in the final - Firdose Moonda lays it out.
What if South Africa win the 2015 World Cup They gloriously beat New Zealand in the semis and roll over Australia in the final - Firdose Moonda lays it out.
Come to think of it: Are lefties really prettier?
Are they really more elegant? Do we think that because they are rarer, and forget that there's a Chanderpaul for every Lara? Jarrod Kimber investigates.
Are they really more elegant? Do we think that because they are rarer, and forget that there's a Chanderpaul for every Lara? Jarrod Kimber investigates.
'If you say English wickets don't take spin in April, I want to prove you wrong'
Essex and former South Africa offspinner Simon Harmer was recently voted one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year. He spoke to Alan Gardner about his glorious 2019 and what his future looks like.
Essex and former South Africa offspinner Simon Harmer was recently voted one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year. He spoke to Alan Gardner about his glorious 2019 and what his future looks like.
Just how good has Andre Russell been in the IPL in recent years?
He has been taking KKR to wins from impossible positions as a matter of routine. The ESPNcricinfo stats team has rounded up some numbers to find out what makes Wisden's T20 Cricketer of the Year so good.
He has been taking KKR to wins from impossible positions as a matter of routine. The ESPNcricinfo stats team has rounded up some numbers to find out what makes Wisden's T20 Cricketer of the Year so good.
'Palairet had style. It stood out a mile'
In the first of a new series, Paul Edwards takes us back to the Golden Age and an unmistakable Somerset stylist.
In the first of a new series, Paul Edwards takes us back to the Golden Age and an unmistakable Somerset stylist.
Who will bowl the cat?
There's no live cricket on the telly, you're locked down at home with the kids and pets. How do you fill the void in your life? If you're Andrew Miller, you rope in your very reluctant cat to recreate some classic moments from matches past.
There's no live cricket on the telly, you're locked down at home with the kids and pets. How do you fill the void in your life? If you're Andrew Miller, you rope in your very reluctant cat to recreate some classic moments from matches past.
Green days: the prettiest outgrounds of England
They are lush, quaint and full of history: cricket is a sidelight on these charming grounds. Valkerie Baynes takes a stroll.
They are lush, quaint and full of history: cricket is a sidelight on these charming grounds. Valkerie Baynes takes a stroll.
Hate to Love: Big little ABD
A bona fide genius: love that. The picking and choosing, the hemming and hawing: not so much. Shamya Dasgupta on his love-hate relationship with AB de Villiers.
A bona fide genius: love that. The picking and choosing, the hemming and hawing: not so much. Shamya Dasgupta on his love-hate relationship with AB de Villiers.