In Case You Missed it: A week of devastating goodbyes
Our best content from the week gone by
ESPNcricinfo staff
12-Mar-2022
Shane on you crazy diamond: Warne was mourned in every corner of the world • Rajanish Kakade/Associated Press
It's been a week of mourning as cricket bid goodbye to two Australia greats, former wicketkeeper Rob Marsh, and Shane Warne, whose sudden death at the age of 52 plunged the cricket fraternity into grief. Cricket continued, nevertheless - a dull draw in Pakistan, a one-sided affair in India, and some upsets at the Women's World Cup, where West Indies toppled England and New Zealand, and Bangladesh and Pakistan lost their first two matches, even as Bismah Maroof's daughter stole the show at the India-Pakistan match. Catch up on the news, tributes and happenings from a busy week in our round-up.
Shane Warne, Australia's legendary legspinner, dies aged 52
News that Warne passed away of a sudden heart attack in a vacation villa in Thailand plunged the cricket world into shock and grief, coming less than 12 hours after news of the death of Rod Marsh. To Mark Nicholas, Warne was a good friend who had given the cricket world so much, and had so much more to give. Brydon Coverdale remembered him as a cricketing genius with immense skill and charisma, Alex Malcolm as "the King", whose aura rubbed off on his fans and made them all believe they could be like him. Andrew Miller looks back through a different lens: Shane Warne, passionate poker player, who could do hard graft putting aside his ego. Osman Samiuddin examines Warne's greatest deliveries and what they tell us, while Ian Chappell remembers him as a generous, honest champion.
News that Warne passed away of a sudden heart attack in a vacation villa in Thailand plunged the cricket world into shock and grief, coming less than 12 hours after news of the death of Rod Marsh. To Mark Nicholas, Warne was a good friend who had given the cricket world so much, and had so much more to give. Brydon Coverdale remembered him as a cricketing genius with immense skill and charisma, Alex Malcolm as "the King", whose aura rubbed off on his fans and made them all believe they could be like him. Andrew Miller looks back through a different lens: Shane Warne, passionate poker player, who could do hard graft putting aside his ego. Osman Samiuddin examines Warne's greatest deliveries and what they tell us, while Ian Chappell remembers him as a generous, honest champion.
Dear India, enough is enough, this is no longer funny, please stop
After India thumped Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs in the first Test in Mohali, Andrew Fidel Fernando tried to make sense of the latest mismatch between these two teams. He also really enjoyed Rishabh Pant enjoying himself, and wondered, how did a system as rigorous as India's generate such a free spirit? Shiva Jayaraman has the numbers to prove Ravindra Jadeja is the sting in India's tail. Jadeja once played fun little innings and is now capable of turning a match with bat or ball, or both.
After India thumped Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs in the first Test in Mohali, Andrew Fidel Fernando tried to make sense of the latest mismatch between these two teams. He also really enjoyed Rishabh Pant enjoying himself, and wondered, how did a system as rigorous as India's generate such a free spirit? Shiva Jayaraman has the numbers to prove Ravindra Jadeja is the sting in India's tail. Jadeja once played fun little innings and is now capable of turning a match with bat or ball, or both.
Imam, Shafique hit tons as Test ends in tame draw
Australia's first Test in Pakistan in 23 years ended up a damp, if high-scoring, squib as Pakistan racked up an astounding aggregate of 728 for 4 - including twin centuries for a "mature" Imam-ul-Haq. Danyal Rasool wondered why Pakistan would sedate their liveliest pitch in Rawalpindi. Australia's bowlers found little to work with, and Alex Malcolm says they need a whole new method in the subcontinent. They had better luck with the bat, none more than Usman Khawaja, whose Test renaissance comes down to being daring and being himself.
Australia's first Test in Pakistan in 23 years ended up a damp, if high-scoring, squib as Pakistan racked up an astounding aggregate of 728 for 4 - including twin centuries for a "mature" Imam-ul-Haq. Danyal Rasool wondered why Pakistan would sedate their liveliest pitch in Rawalpindi. Australia's bowlers found little to work with, and Alex Malcolm says they need a whole new method in the subcontinent. They had better luck with the bat, none more than Usman Khawaja, whose Test renaissance comes down to being daring and being himself.
Cricket's mothers have it better now than ever (but not all of them)
Annesha Ghosh spoke to Megan Schutt, Bismah Maroof, Amy Satterthwaite, Lea Tahuhu, Lizelle Lee, Jess Duffin, Nain Abidi and other cricketer mothers about motherhood and post-baby career opportunities.
Annesha Ghosh spoke to Megan Schutt, Bismah Maroof, Amy Satterthwaite, Lea Tahuhu, Lizelle Lee, Jess Duffin, Nain Abidi and other cricketer mothers about motherhood and post-baby career opportunities.
Watch: 25 Questions with Jhulan Goswami
Who is the angriest fast bowler in women's cricket today? And would Jhulan Goswami rather never take a five-for again or never eat fish-curry rice again? We put the India fast bowler on the spot.
Who is the angriest fast bowler in women's cricket today? And would Jhulan Goswami rather never take a five-for again or never eat fish-curry rice again? We put the India fast bowler on the spot.
Yastika Bhatia wants to erase the pain of India's 2017 World Cup final defeat
The young wicketkeeper-batter from Baroda talks to Annesha Ghosh about improving her skills by training with Kiran More and the Pandya brothers.
The young wicketkeeper-batter from Baroda talks to Annesha Ghosh about improving her skills by training with Kiran More and the Pandya brothers.
The Richa Ghosh story: from part-time keeper to World Cup record-breaker
India have looked far better balanced since she took over the gloves, and her keeping is now matching up to her hitting.
India have looked far better balanced since she took over the gloves, and her keeping is now matching up to her hitting.
What are the best figures by a captain in ODIs and T20Is?
Also: how many women have scored World Cup centuries in a losing cause? Steven Lynch with the answers in this week's Ask Steven.
Also: how many women have scored World Cup centuries in a losing cause? Steven Lynch with the answers in this week's Ask Steven.