In Case You Missed It: Healy smiles to victory, Mortaza signs off
Our best content from last week
ESPNcricinfo staff
09-Mar-2020
Crowds collect outside the MCG before the start of the T20 World Cup final • Getty Images
Last week was dominated by the last stages of the Women's T20 World Cup - from the farcical scenes at the semis to the emotional ones after the final. Aside from all the excitement in Australia, there was also a series whitewash for India, a captaincy change in Bangladesh, and a heartwarming rise for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. Here's your catch-up.
Healy, Mooney, Jonassen hand clinical fifth T20 World Cup title to Australia
A crowd of 86,174 turned up at the MCG to watch Australia demolish India in the T20 World Cup final. Opener Alyssa Healy's audacious 39-ball 85 and her century stand with Beth Mooney set up the win. Worse for India, Healy was smiling even when she was dismissed, so momentous did the occasion feel to her. India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said while the loss hurt, she was proud of her young team's achievements.
A crowd of 86,174 turned up at the MCG to watch Australia demolish India in the T20 World Cup final. Opener Alyssa Healy's audacious 39-ball 85 and her century stand with Beth Mooney set up the win. Worse for India, Healy was smiling even when she was dismissed, so momentous did the occasion feel to her. India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said while the loss hurt, she was proud of her young team's achievements.
Another team that was hurting was England, who lost their semi-final to India after rain forced the game to be abandoned without a ball being bowled. Andrew McGlashan tried to understand why the two semis were scheduled on the same day at the same venue and why there was no reserve day.
IPL 'on' with 'all precautions' against coronavirus - Ganguly
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said the board is taking all necessary precautions for the smooth conduct of cricket's most lucrative tournament, which begins on March 29.
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said the board is taking all necessary precautions for the smooth conduct of cricket's most lucrative tournament, which begins on March 29.
New Zealand seal 2-0 after impressing with bat and ball
New Zealand wrapped the second Test early on day three, chasing down 132 to whitewash India 2-0. The 120 points New Zealand gained from the series win opened up the World Test Championship points table somewhat - if they draw away in Bangladesh and sweep Pakistan and West Indies at home, New Zealand could finish in the top two. In analysing India's defeat, captain Virat Kohli said they made too much of the conditions. Kohli also lost his cool at the post-match press conference when asked about the verbal send-off he gave Kane Williamson.
New Zealand wrapped the second Test early on day three, chasing down 132 to whitewash India 2-0. The 120 points New Zealand gained from the series win opened up the World Test Championship points table somewhat - if they draw away in Bangladesh and sweep Pakistan and West Indies at home, New Zealand could finish in the top two. In analysing India's defeat, captain Virat Kohli said they made too much of the conditions. Kohli also lost his cool at the post-match press conference when asked about the verbal send-off he gave Kane Williamson.
It was a poor series with the bat for Kohli, who made only 38 in four innings. Karthik Krishnaswamy reckoned the problem was his head position. Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra analysed the challenging length Neil Wagner bowls.
The Kiwi adventures of Waqar, Vaasy, Asif and Pras
India have won only one Test in New Zealand since 1976 and subcontinental teams have generally struggled there. Danyal Rasool looked back at five memorable Asian triumphs in the country.
India have won only one Test in New Zealand since 1976 and subcontinental teams have generally struggled there. Danyal Rasool looked back at five memorable Asian triumphs in the country.
Siriwardene sets up Sri Lanka victory in her final game
Offspinner Shashikala Siriwardene said farewell to international cricket in a big win over Bangladesh in Sri Lanka's final game of the Women's T20 World Cup. Siriwardene, who received a signed shirt from the Indian team and a guard of honour from Sri Lankan and Bangladesh players ahead of the game, took 4 for 16 to restrict Bangladesh to 91 for 8.
Offspinner Shashikala Siriwardene said farewell to international cricket in a big win over Bangladesh in Sri Lanka's final game of the Women's T20 World Cup. Siriwardene, who received a signed shirt from the Indian team and a guard of honour from Sri Lankan and Bangladesh players ahead of the game, took 4 for 16 to restrict Bangladesh to 91 for 8.
How can women's cricket learn to use the DRS better?
If women are allowed access to the DRS only during world tournaments, how will they get better at using the system, asked Raf Nicholson.
If women are allowed access to the DRS only during world tournaments, how will they get better at using the system, asked Raf Nicholson.
Harbhajan Singh picks an XI of the best red-ball cricketers he played against
Who opens the batting with Virender Sehwag? And what does his bowling attack look like?
Who opens the batting with Virender Sehwag? And what does his bowling attack look like?
The revolution Kieron Pollard led
Pollard played his 500th T20 last week. Deivarayan Muthu looked back at the impact he has had on the format since he decided to go freelance at the age of 23.
Pollard played his 500th T20 last week. Deivarayan Muthu looked back at the impact he has had on the format since he decided to go freelance at the age of 23.
Tamim Iqbal hits record-breaking 158 as Bangladesh win a thriller
Iqbal notched up Bangladesh's highest individual score in ODIs in an exciting four-run win over Zimbabwe.
Iqbal notched up Bangladesh's highest individual score in ODIs in an exciting four-run win over Zimbabwe.
Marnus Labuschagne's South African origins and the pronunciation conundrum
Why are we pronouncing the Australian batsman's surname "La-boo-shayne"? Firdose Moonda got us the correct Afrikaans pronunciation after talking to his uncle Martin in Bloemfontein.
Why are we pronouncing the Australian batsman's surname "La-boo-shayne"? Firdose Moonda got us the correct Afrikaans pronunciation after talking to his uncle Martin in Bloemfontein.
Whatever happened to Lancaster Park?
Karthik Krishnaswamy visited the Christchurch ground that hosted rugby and cricket more from 1881 until its demolition in the wake of extensive damage suffered in the February 2011 earthquake.
Karthik Krishnaswamy visited the Christchurch ground that hosted rugby and cricket more from 1881 until its demolition in the wake of extensive damage suffered in the February 2011 earthquake.
Sleepless nights and 'madness' in training: how Bengal made the Ranji final
Bengal's last Ranji title came in 1990. Varun Shetty found out what sort of work they put in to make it to this season's final. And Shashank Kishore talked to the bowling coach, Ranadeb Bose, about the blood, sweat and tears that went into their five-year plan to build a fast-bowling line-up. And Shamya Dasgupta spoke to Sourav Ganguly, Arun Lal, Sambaran Banerjee, Utpal Chatterjee and others who featured in Bengal's memorable win in the 1989-90 final.
Bengal's last Ranji title came in 1990. Varun Shetty found out what sort of work they put in to make it to this season's final. And Shashank Kishore talked to the bowling coach, Ranadeb Bose, about the blood, sweat and tears that went into their five-year plan to build a fast-bowling line-up. And Shamya Dasgupta spoke to Sourav Ganguly, Arun Lal, Sambaran Banerjee, Utpal Chatterjee and others who featured in Bengal's memorable win in the 1989-90 final.
'Nobody should forget what Mashrafe Mortaza has done for Bangladesh cricket'
Mortaza stepped down as Bangladesh's ODI captain last week and his team-mates talked about the impact he has had on the side over the years.
Mortaza stepped down as Bangladesh's ODI captain last week and his team-mates talked about the impact he has had on the side over the years.
Shadab Khan's form returns in the PSL, but this time with the bat
Danyal Rasool spoke to the legspinner, whose bowling has suffered a dip but who is hoping to raise his game with confident batting and leadership for Islamabad United.
Danyal Rasool spoke to the legspinner, whose bowling has suffered a dip but who is hoping to raise his game with confident batting and leadership for Islamabad United.