In Case You Missed It: Australia retain Women's Ashes but England emerge winners, Pakistan, India dominate hosts
Our best content from the week gone by
ESPNcricinfo staff
22-Jul-2023
England took the shine off Australia's retention of the Ashes with a 2-1 win in both T20I and ODI series • Getty Images
A thrilling Women's Ashes series concluded with Australia's invincibles ceding their first white-ball series in ten years even while they retained the Ashes. Pakistan turned the first Test in Galle decisively in their favour to beat Sri Lanka at home while India cruised to victory over West Indies. In the men's Ashes, England have found their Bazball rhythm while Australia look increasingly bereft of answers. Here's everything that happened in a busy week of cricket.
Australia bear the Sciver-Brunt in first ODI series loss since 2013
Kate Cross' three-for after Heather Knight's half-century helped England stifle the visitors in a rain-curtailed chase in the final ODI. With the success of this Women's Ashes - 110,000 people showed up across the series - Valkyrie Baynes says England have now thrown down the gauntlet for CA to take the series to the next level in 2025. Also on the Ladies who Switch podcast, Baynes and Firdose Moonda discuss how England's wins have made Australia look a little less invincible.
Kate Cross' three-for after Heather Knight's half-century helped England stifle the visitors in a rain-curtailed chase in the final ODI. With the success of this Women's Ashes - 110,000 people showed up across the series - Valkyrie Baynes says England have now thrown down the gauntlet for CA to take the series to the next level in 2025. Also on the Ladies who Switch podcast, Baynes and Firdose Moonda discuss how England's wins have made Australia look a little less invincible.
Pakistan end 365-day winless streak where they last won
With the target down to 83 to get on the final day, Imam-ul-Haq's unbeaten 50 steered visitors in a slightly tense and cloudy morning in Galle. Pakistan came at the game in seemingly un-Pakistan fashion, and not unlike a certain style of play currently trademarked by England. Andrew Fidel Fernando says it might only last until its first failure but Pakball is making an eminently watchable team even more watchable.
With the target down to 83 to get on the final day, Imam-ul-Haq's unbeaten 50 steered visitors in a slightly tense and cloudy morning in Galle. Pakistan came at the game in seemingly un-Pakistan fashion, and not unlike a certain style of play currently trademarked by England. Andrew Fidel Fernando says it might only last until its first failure but Pakball is making an eminently watchable team even more watchable.
Ashwin's seven-for sews up India's innings win
After West Indies' first-innings collapse, Ashwin did it all over again and finished with a match haul of 12 wickets to take India to a massive win. Karthik Krishnaswamy analysed two separate Ashwin wickets and what they say about his craft. He also says Virat Kohli's current struggles with his form have left him looking like a different kind of player. The second Test against West Indies is Kohli's 500th international. Do you remember if he's faced Vettori, Vaas, Lee and Akhtar? Take our quiz and test your knowledge of his career. And who has the most runs in West Indies vs India Tests in West Indies? Try our other quiz.
After West Indies' first-innings collapse, Ashwin did it all over again and finished with a match haul of 12 wickets to take India to a massive win. Karthik Krishnaswamy analysed two separate Ashwin wickets and what they say about his craft. He also says Virat Kohli's current struggles with his form have left him looking like a different kind of player. The second Test against West Indies is Kohli's 500th international. Do you remember if he's faced Vettori, Vaas, Lee and Akhtar? Take our quiz and test your knowledge of his career. And who has the most runs in West Indies vs India Tests in West Indies? Try our other quiz.
The Ashes have highlighted England's selection failings again
England turned the tide of the Ashes sharply in the third Test, but it was down to the addition of Mark Wood and Chris Woakes. Ian Chappell says the hosts haven't always got their picks right, but Ben Stokes' inspirational leadership continues to make it a competitively fought series.
England turned the tide of the Ashes sharply in the third Test, but it was down to the addition of Mark Wood and Chris Woakes. Ian Chappell says the hosts haven't always got their picks right, but Ben Stokes' inspirational leadership continues to make it a competitively fought series.
Cricket through the eyes of two baseball fans in America
Peter Della Penna was at the MLC watching Americans watch cricket for the first time. He stumbled across two 25-year-olds who'd come to watch a game to just knock off a bucket list item, only to return home as cricket fans. He also spoke to USA and MINY spinner Nosthush Kenjige, who believes they have a responsibility to do the right thing, irrespective of who's watching.
Peter Della Penna was at the MLC watching Americans watch cricket for the first time. He stumbled across two 25-year-olds who'd come to watch a game to just knock off a bucket list item, only to return home as cricket fans. He also spoke to USA and MINY spinner Nosthush Kenjige, who believes they have a responsibility to do the right thing, irrespective of who's watching.
Mel Jones: 'If you're after a quiet day, you're probably in the wrong job'
The former Australia international spoke to Matt Roller about switching to commentary, hoovering up opportunities, and dealing with abuse.
The former Australia international spoke to Matt Roller about switching to commentary, hoovering up opportunities, and dealing with abuse.
How many bowlers have dismissed a father and a son in Tests?
And did Yashasvi Jaiswal have the highest score for an opener on Test debut? Steven Lynch has the answers in this week's Ask Steven.
And did Yashasvi Jaiswal have the highest score for an opener on Test debut? Steven Lynch has the answers in this week's Ask Steven.