In Case You Missed It: A rash of retirements and an abandonment
Our best content from this week
ESPNcricinfo staff
18-Sep-2021
New Zealand's limited-overs tour of Pakistan came to an abrupt end minutes before it began • AFP via Getty Images
After India pulled out of the last Test of their England series last week following a Covid scare, this week it was New Zealand's turn as security concerns meant their first tour of Pakistan in 18 years was <a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/pak-vs-nz-2021-new-zealand-call-off-pakistan-tour-minutes-before-start-of-first-odi-1278280">abandoned just minutes before the start</a> of the first ODI. The week also saw a few retirement announcements - Lasith Malinga from all cricket, former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor from international cricket, and Michael Holding from commentary. The CPL has a new title winner, the IPL kicks off its second leg this weekend and there's a whole lot of cricket to catch up on, so get stuck in.
Abandoned, forfeited or postponed? Official result of Manchester Test to have big repercussions for ECB
The fate of the England-India series still hangs in the balance with the England board wanting the ICC to adjudicate. If the Test is not rescheduled, the ECB wants the status to be "forfeited", to square the series and allow them to claim insurance payouts.
The fate of the England-India series still hangs in the balance with the England board wanting the ICC to adjudicate. If the Test is not rescheduled, the ECB wants the status to be "forfeited", to square the series and allow them to claim insurance payouts.
How Rohit Sharma changed his game to the point of almost being unrecognisable</b>
Aakash Chopra says it took courage to make the radical tweaks that Rohit made in England. Ian Chappell says it's almost <a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ian-chappell-its-scary-that-india-are-a-highly-successful-side-who-can-still-improve-1277305">frightening how successful India are as a side, with headroom to still improve if they can sort out their middle order.
Aakash Chopra says it took courage to make the radical tweaks that Rohit made in England. Ian Chappell says it's almost <a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ian-chappell-its-scary-that-india-are-a-highly-successful-side-who-can-still-improve-1277305">frightening how successful India are as a side, with headroom to still improve if they can sort out their middle order.
Nat Sciver, Katherine Brunt strike devastating blow after Heather Knight sets up England win
The two bowlers delivered a devastating spell at the start of New Zealand's innings to make them stumble, despite a valiant 79 not out by Amy Satterthwaite.
The two bowlers delivered a devastating spell at the start of New Zealand's innings to make them stumble, despite a valiant 79 not out by Amy Satterthwaite.
Yorkshire admit Azeem Rafiq suffered from "racial harassment" while at club - but refuse to release report
The summary released by the club says there was "insufficient evidence" to support claim of institutional racism.
The summary released by the club says there was "insufficient evidence" to support claim of institutional racism.
<b>Michael Holding to retire from cricket commentary<br>
Forthright with opinions, unafraid to show emotion, he brought the same grace to broadcasting as to his run-up during his playing days.
Mahmudullah on T20 World Cup: "Playing well but losing doesn't quite have the same effect as actually winning"</a>
The captain looks back on his, and his side's, recent success and talks to Mohammad Isam about his plans for and expectations from the World Cup.
The captain looks back on his, and his side's, recent success and talks to Mohammad Isam about his plans for and expectations from the World Cup.
IPL 2021 returns looks at the form of the teams in the top half of the table, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians and what they need to do differently in the second. Can the bottom teams - Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad - turn their fortunes around?
Samson's refused single, Jadeja's 37-run over, Brar's golden scalps
Catch up on the defining moments of the IPL's truncated first leg with five defining moments from the first chunk of the season.
Catch up on the defining moments of the IPL's truncated first leg with five defining moments from the first chunk of the season.
Jaskaran Malhotra gives stop-start career a boost, and is now dreaming bigger
Daya Sagar speaks to the USA batter who recently became only the fourth man to hit six sixes in an over in international cricket, after Gibbs, Yuvraj and Pollard.
Daya Sagar speaks to the USA batter who recently became only the fourth man to hit six sixes in an over in international cricket, after Gibbs, Yuvraj and Pollard.
What have been the most significant batting, bowling and all-round contributions in Test history?
Anantha Narayanan</b> analyses the impact of teams and players on match results.
Anantha Narayanan</b> analyses the impact of teams and players on match results.
Which batter has the biggest difference between averages in wins and defeats in Tests?
And what's the record for the most consecutive Test appearances by a player against the same opposition? All this answers in this week's <b>Ask Steven.
And what's the record for the most consecutive Test appearances by a player against the same opposition? All this answers in this week's <b>Ask Steven.
Slow Death back in the Fast Lane: How Tymal Mills rose again
After managing a long-standing back issue, and starring in the Hundred, Mills is back in vogue. <b>David Hopps speaks to the bowler who was called up to the England T20 World Cup squad after a four-year absence from the national side.
After managing a long-standing back issue, and starring in the Hundred, Mills is back in vogue. <b>David Hopps speaks to the bowler who was called up to the England T20 World Cup squad after a four-year absence from the national side.
Prasidh Krishna: 'Kamlesh Nagarkoti eats a lot, but it never shows on him'
The Kolkata Knight Riders fast bowler on the best dosa in Bengaluru, the team-mate with the best metabolism, and his kryptonite - dessert.
The Kolkata Knight Riders fast bowler on the best dosa in Bengaluru, the team-mate with the best metabolism, and his kryptonite - dessert.
Watch: On The Ball with Muthiah Muralidaran
In a candid chat with Aakash Chopra, the former Sri Lanka spinner speaks about his IPL journey, his time with CSK and RCB, and his role and strategies as the mentor for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
In a candid chat with Aakash Chopra, the former Sri Lanka spinner speaks about his IPL journey, his time with CSK and RCB, and his role and strategies as the mentor for Sunrisers Hyderabad.