In Case You Missed It: Broady's big goodbye, MLC's blockbuster first season
Our best content from the week gone by
ESPNcricinfo staff
05-Aug-2023
No Mo Broad: two England Test stalwarts walked into the sunset together • PA Images via Getty Images
An Ashes series that seemed to have gone on forever ended 2-2, but produced enough exciting cricket, and drama, and the end result was almost eclipsed by Stuart Broad's shocker of a retirement announcement. But there's no time to catch a breath as the Hundred kicks off and the LPL gets into its swing. India have taken a drubbing and still won the ODI series in the Caribbean but West Indies isn't making it easy for the visitors in the T20I series. Here's a round-up of this week in cricket.
Stuart Broad conjures one last burst of magic as England win fifth Test by 49 runs
A nail-biting final day saw the series levelled but Stuart Broad, who announced his retirement on the penultimate day of the Ashes, had a near-perfect finish.Ian Chappell says England were correct to prioritise run-scoring and wicket-taking but their selection errors is what cost them. Mark Nicholas sees echoes of 2005 in this Ashes series, but finds it difficult to pick between the two for cricket played or the impact it made. S Rajesh examined why the risk-reward equation worked in England's favour. And despite ending with honours even, there's one clear place where England came out ahead - on the run-scoring charts.
A nail-biting final day saw the series levelled but Stuart Broad, who announced his retirement on the penultimate day of the Ashes, had a near-perfect finish.Ian Chappell says England were correct to prioritise run-scoring and wicket-taking but their selection errors is what cost them. Mark Nicholas sees echoes of 2005 in this Ashes series, but finds it difficult to pick between the two for cricket played or the impact it made. S Rajesh examined why the risk-reward equation worked in England's favour. And despite ending with honours even, there's one clear place where England came out ahead - on the run-scoring charts.
Australia leave UK with the mace and the urn, but no gold star
For Australia it was a more circumspect Ashes, and while winning Tests in England isn't easy, Andrew McGlashan says Pat Cummins' men fell short in terms of an era-defining series. As the focus shifts to the World Cup, Australia are left with questions, and none more pressing than the transition phase of the Test side.
For Australia it was a more circumspect Ashes, and while winning Tests in England isn't easy, Andrew McGlashan says Pat Cummins' men fell short in terms of an era-defining series. As the focus shifts to the World Cup, Australia are left with questions, and none more pressing than the transition phase of the Test side.
Big-action Broad, and the sharp spells of utter anarchy
Osman Samiuddin tips his hat to Broad, cricket troll extraordinaire and England's second highest wicket-taker of all time. Also calling time, this time for good, on his career, was Moeen Ali, England silent warrior, whose Ashes, Vithushan Ehantharajah says, finished much like his career - entertaining, endearing and inconsistent.
Osman Samiuddin tips his hat to Broad, cricket troll extraordinaire and England's second highest wicket-taker of all time. Also calling time, this time for good, on his career, was Moeen Ali, England silent warrior, whose Ashes, Vithushan Ehantharajah says, finished much like his career - entertaining, endearing and inconsistent.
MLC final week: Nicholas Pooran, and a bit of this and that
America's first proper stint with T20 cricket ended with MI adding yet another trophy to their cabinet - how closely did you watch it? - and a stunning Pooran century. It was a great first season and a fantastic advertisement for cricket, one that's prompted the organisers to dream bigger for the next season. Peter Della Penna also explored how, in a scenario almost improbable a few years ago, Rashid Khan, a cricketer from Afghanistan, inspired a spot of celeb mania in Texas.
America's first proper stint with T20 cricket ended with MI adding yet another trophy to their cabinet - how closely did you watch it? - and a stunning Pooran century. It was a great first season and a fantastic advertisement for cricket, one that's prompted the organisers to dream bigger for the next season. Peter Della Penna also explored how, in a scenario almost improbable a few years ago, Rashid Khan, a cricketer from Afghanistan, inspired a spot of celeb mania in Texas.
The Hundred is back and with a rare window of opportunity
Following in the wake of an enthralling Ashes, Matt Roller asks can the much-maligned competition seize its moment? He also spoke to Jemimah Rodrigues, who went unpicked in March's draft but then returned to Superchargers as Heather Graham's replacement, and who believes there's enough place in women's cricket for both The Hundred and the WPL.
Following in the wake of an enthralling Ashes, Matt Roller asks can the much-maligned competition seize its moment? He also spoke to Jemimah Rodrigues, who went unpicked in March's draft but then returned to Superchargers as Heather Graham's replacement, and who believes there's enough place in women's cricket for both The Hundred and the WPL.
How many players have equalled Stuart Broad's double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets against one country in Tests?
And who has the most Test runs in their home country? Steven Lynch does a stats and trivia deep dive.
And who has the most Test runs in their home country? Steven Lynch does a stats and trivia deep dive.