In Case You Missed It: Wizards, superheroes, and Dre Russ
Our best content from last week
ESPNcricinfo staff
13-Aug-2018
Chris Woakes is the only player to have a batting average of more than 50 and a bowling average of less than ten at a venue, with a minimum of ten wickets • AFP
The Lord's Test was interrupted by a lot of rain, but plenty happened in between.
Broad, Anderson and Woakes batter India
One and a half days were lost to rain at Lord's, but India still managed to lose by an innings - their first innings defeat under Virat Kohli. After After scoring 137 not out in the first innings, Chris Woakes now has his name on all three honours boards at Lord's: five wickets in an innings, ten in a match, and a century. India conceded a first-innings lead of 289 (and took only seven wickets) - did Virat Kohli's decision to pick two spinners hurt them? Watch: Polite Enquiries - Is being aggressive Kohli's only captaincy trait? If there are further rain delays during the series, you could entertain yourself with our England-India quiz: Who was the last India batsman to score a ton at Lord's?
The Imran Khans I've known
Superstar allrounder, heartthrob, World Cup-winning captain, controversial politician, and now prime minister - Imran Khan is all this (and more). Osman Samiuddin unpacks about four decades of feelings about the man who is going to shape Pakistan's destiny over the next five years.
Superstar allrounder, heartthrob, World Cup-winning captain, controversial politician, and now prime minister - Imran Khan is all this (and more). Osman Samiuddin unpacks about four decades of feelings about the man who is going to shape Pakistan's destiny over the next five years.
What is the best length to bowl in Tests?
When bowlers say they want to bowl in the "right areas" or commentators say "they need to pitch it up", what does it mean? Nathan Leamon, England's team performance analyst, explains how different lengths work in a match and looks at whether there is one ideal length to bowl.
When bowlers say they want to bowl in the "right areas" or commentators say "they need to pitch it up", what does it mean? Nathan Leamon, England's team performance analyst, explains how different lengths work in a match and looks at whether there is one ideal length to bowl.
Five reasons you should watch the CPL this season
The sixth season of the Caribbean Premier League kicked off last week. The banned Australian duo Steven Smith and David Warner will be playing the full tournament - is that reason enough for you to watch? If not, how about the fact that Andre Russell is also back, from a doping ban, and made his presence felt with a hat-trick and a (40-ball) hundred in the same game? Or perhaps what you'll really enjoy are the innovative wicket celebrations, send-offs and (possibly) cool dance moves? We also picked five players who might become household names by the end of the tournament.
The sixth season of the Caribbean Premier League kicked off last week. The banned Australian duo Steven Smith and David Warner will be playing the full tournament - is that reason enough for you to watch? If not, how about the fact that Andre Russell is also back, from a doping ban, and made his presence felt with a hat-trick and a (40-ball) hundred in the same game? Or perhaps what you'll really enjoy are the innovative wicket celebrations, send-offs and (possibly) cool dance moves? We also picked five players who might become household names by the end of the tournament.
Holy hat-tricks, Batman!
Dre Russ' efforts were cool, but were they superheroic? For that, we might need some Avengers, X Men and Justice Leaguers. Anuj Vignesh dreams up an alternative universe where comic-book heroes play cricket.
Dre Russ' efforts were cool, but were they superheroic? For that, we might need some Avengers, X Men and Justice Leaguers. Anuj Vignesh dreams up an alternative universe where comic-book heroes play cricket.
The Kohli-Tendulkar comparison in overseas Tests
In the Edgbaston Test, Virat Kohli made 200 runs and the rest of the Indian line-up made 214. Those comparative figures must have felt eerily familiar to Indian cricket fans of a certain age. In the 1990s, Sachin Tendulkar held up India's batting in the same way overseas. In fact, Tendulkar's and Kohli's run contribution to the team (in Australia, New Zealand, England and South Africa) is identical: 20.2%. S Rajesh digs up more such numbers for the two.
In the Edgbaston Test, Virat Kohli made 200 runs and the rest of the Indian line-up made 214. Those comparative figures must have felt eerily familiar to Indian cricket fans of a certain age. In the 1990s, Sachin Tendulkar held up India's batting in the same way overseas. In fact, Tendulkar's and Kohli's run contribution to the team (in Australia, New Zealand, England and South Africa) is identical: 20.2%. S Rajesh digs up more such numbers for the two.
The Ben Stokes trial
Ben Stokes' trial for his bust-up outside a pub in Bristol last September started at Bristol Crown Court last week. He has been charged with affray along with two others. A written statement from Stokes, given to the police after the incident took place, was read out in court. In it, Stokes - whose version of events is coming out in public for the first time - said he felt "vulnerable and frightened" during the fight. "I was concerned for myself and others. We knew that they were prepared to use weapons that could do serious injury and I feared they could have other weapons with them. The force I used in defending us was reasonable and entirely justified when the circumstances are viewed objectively."
Ben Stokes' trial for his bust-up outside a pub in Bristol last September started at Bristol Crown Court last week. He has been charged with affray along with two others. A written statement from Stokes, given to the police after the incident took place, was read out in court. In it, Stokes - whose version of events is coming out in public for the first time - said he felt "vulnerable and frightened" during the fight. "I was concerned for myself and others. We knew that they were prepared to use weapons that could do serious injury and I feared they could have other weapons with them. The force I used in defending us was reasonable and entirely justified when the circumstances are viewed objectively."
New central contracts guarantee earnings boost for Pakistan players
In our survey of what cricketers get paid, conducted last year, Pakistan were consistently placed in the lower half of the table, whether it was for top earners, central contracts or match fees. Things look better in their fresh three-year agreement with the PCB, with salaries across the central-contract spectrum expected to increase by 25% to 30%. Players' match fees will also go up by 20%. Babar Azam, who was named ODI player of the year at the PCB awards, won a category A contract, while the T20 Player of the Year, Hasan Ali, got a category B contract, and Test player of the year, Mohammad Abbas, got a category C contract.
In our survey of what cricketers get paid, conducted last year, Pakistan were consistently placed in the lower half of the table, whether it was for top earners, central contracts or match fees. Things look better in their fresh three-year agreement with the PCB, with salaries across the central-contract spectrum expected to increase by 25% to 30%. Players' match fees will also go up by 20%. Babar Azam, who was named ODI player of the year at the PCB awards, won a category A contract, while the T20 Player of the Year, Hasan Ali, got a category B contract, and Test player of the year, Mohammad Abbas, got a category C contract.
Dine like a player: the Lord's lunch experience
There may be debate about what the real home of cricket is (Dubai, anyone?), but it can't be denied that Lord's enthrals nearly everyone who visits. And the food, oh god, the food. Watch: Melinda Farrell try the lavish spread in the players' dining room and come away not certain how anyone can bowl ten overs after. She also takes us on the walk from the home dressing room to the pitch at Lord's.
There may be debate about what the real home of cricket is (Dubai, anyone?), but it can't be denied that Lord's enthrals nearly everyone who visits. And the food, oh god, the food. Watch: Melinda Farrell try the lavish spread in the players' dining room and come away not certain how anyone can bowl ten overs after. She also takes us on the walk from the home dressing room to the pitch at Lord's.