In Case You Missed It: Are big changes coming?
Our best content from last week
ESPNcricinfo staff
27-Apr-2020
Shine on: Could ball-tampering under umpire supervision become a routine part of the game? • Getty Images
Could this pandemic change cricket as we know it? While boards are looking at closed-door matches - when they happen - in the short term, there are signs that we may be looking at larger shifts in the game and its laws. Could we see an English County Championship season played out in Abu Dhabi? Will ball tampering no longer be taboo? All these questions and more answered in our round-up of the week gone by.
Cricket to consider legalised ball-tampering in wake of coronavirus
Last week a few bowlers raised concerns about the use of saliva to shine the ball due to the risk posed by Covid-19. Now Daniel Brettig reports that authorities are considering legalising one of cricket's biggest taboos, ball-tampering, to allow the use of artificial substances to help polish the ball.
Last week a few bowlers raised concerns about the use of saliva to shine the ball due to the risk posed by Covid-19. Now Daniel Brettig reports that authorities are considering legalising one of cricket's biggest taboos, ball-tampering, to allow the use of artificial substances to help polish the ball.
Sana Mir retires from international cricket
Mir, arguably Pakistan's greatest female cricketer, announced her retirement from international cricket after a 15-year career in which she took 151 wickets in 120 ODIs and 89 wickets in 106 T20Is.
Mir, arguably Pakistan's greatest female cricketer, announced her retirement from international cricket after a 15-year career in which she took 151 wickets in 120 ODIs and 89 wickets in 106 T20Is.
No English cricket before July, Hundred decision delayed
The English summer continues to take a hit with all professional cricket suspended until July and no decision yet on the Hundred, which was also to take place in July.
The English summer continues to take a hit with all professional cricket suspended until July and no decision yet on the Hundred, which was also to take place in July.
FAQ - What is happening at Cricket Australia?
Last week Cricket Australia announced that a majority of its staff will be stood down with an 80% pay cut. What are CA's numbers, how much is being saved, and will there be another pay dispute? Andrew McGlashan and Daniel Brettig have the answers.
Last week Cricket Australia announced that a majority of its staff will be stood down with an 80% pay cut. What are CA's numbers, how much is being saved, and will there be another pay dispute? Andrew McGlashan and Daniel Brettig have the answers.
'There has to be a format where the bowlers are able to challenge batters'
It was Sachin Tendulkar's 47th birthday a few days ago and he spoke to Sharda Ugra about how he would approach cricket today, how ODIs are skewed in favour of batsmen, and looked back to his landmark Sharjah innings against Australia 22 years ago
It was Sachin Tendulkar's 47th birthday a few days ago and he spoke to Sharda Ugra about how he would approach cricket today, how ODIs are skewed in favour of batsmen, and looked back to his landmark Sharjah innings against Australia 22 years ago
'The break might make me rusty, but I can't forget the basics'
Babar Azam may have hit pause on his journey to becoming one of the best batsmen in the world but he's been working on a more team-oriented approach that has lifted his batting to new heights, he tells Umar Farooq.
Babar Azam may have hit pause on his journey to becoming one of the best batsmen in the world but he's been working on a more team-oriented approach that has lifted his batting to new heights, he tells Umar Farooq.
Come to think of it: Is Saeed Anwar criminally underrated?
Before there were Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya the ODI openers, there was Saeed Anwar. If we remember him at all, it's as a silken stylist who excelled in ODIs, but he was far more than that. Osman Samiuddin offers conclusive proof
Before there were Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya the ODI openers, there was Saeed Anwar. If we remember him at all, it's as a silken stylist who excelled in ODIs, but he was far more than that. Osman Samiuddin offers conclusive proof
'I want to be the player who stands up when it's 40 degrees and it's flat'
It's been a hard, injury-studded slog to the top for South Africa's brightest pace-bowling hope, and now he's looking to turn up the heat. Firdose Moonda speaks to Anrich Nortje.
It's been a hard, injury-studded slog to the top for South Africa's brightest pace-bowling hope, and now he's looking to turn up the heat. Firdose Moonda speaks to Anrich Nortje.
Alternative Universe: Pakistan win the 2016-17 Gabba Test
They chase down 390 and we're all in awe of Asad Shafiq. It could have happened, says Danyal Rasool.
They chase down 390 and we're all in awe of Asad Shafiq. It could have happened, says Danyal Rasool.
What we're watching: When Waqar wore a moustache
Plus a fourth-innings hundred from Asif Iqbal, and brisk legspin from two charismatic Pakistan allrounders - that's all the stuff Osman Samiuddin's been watching on YouTube in lieu of live cricket.
Plus a fourth-innings hundred from Asif Iqbal, and brisk legspin from two charismatic Pakistan allrounders - that's all the stuff Osman Samiuddin's been watching on YouTube in lieu of live cricket.
Hot seat
Our ESPNcricinfo writers play armchair captains and put their analytical skills to work on cricket scenarios. For instance, it's 30 for 2 on the first day at the SCG. Steven Smith comes out to bat. Who gets to bowl first at Smith? And what's the field? Elsewhere, they take a stab at breaking Pakistan in Dubai in a Test. How are you going to get six wickets in half a session in the desert heat?
Our ESPNcricinfo writers play armchair captains and put their analytical skills to work on cricket scenarios. For instance, it's 30 for 2 on the first day at the SCG. Steven Smith comes out to bat. Who gets to bowl first at Smith? And what's the field? Elsewhere, they take a stab at breaking Pakistan in Dubai in a Test. How are you going to get six wickets in half a session in the desert heat?
Downtime Diaries
We continue to check in on players in lockdown and discover that Cheteshwar Pujara is not letting a pandemic get in the way of his badminton and is certainly not giving away easy points to his wife. And over in South Africa, Laura Wolvaardt is frustrated - this is the year she picked professional cricket over a career in medicine.
We continue to check in on players in lockdown and discover that Cheteshwar Pujara is not letting a pandemic get in the way of his badminton and is certainly not giving away easy points to his wife. And over in South Africa, Laura Wolvaardt is frustrated - this is the year she picked professional cricket over a career in medicine.
'My coaching starts from the point of a bowler's delivery, not before the ball is bowled'
Bangladesh white-ball batting coach Neil McKenzie spoke to Mohammad Isam on the importance of being in the players' corner and tailoring his approach to every batsman's mentality.
Bangladesh white-ball batting coach Neil McKenzie spoke to Mohammad Isam on the importance of being in the players' corner and tailoring his approach to every batsman's mentality.
Fast times with Jeff Thomson
Even when he wasn't at his peak, Thommo made you wish you were at the other end of the pitch, says Mark Nicholas
Even when he wasn't at his peak, Thommo made you wish you were at the other end of the pitch, says Mark Nicholas
When Colin Milburn went berserk at the Gabba
Ian Chappell remembers an astonishing session of batting at a Shield game in 1968-69.
Ian Chappell remembers an astonishing session of batting at a Shield game in 1968-69.