In Case You Missed It: Australia eye series sweep, Pakistan hold out for a thrilling draw
Our best content from the week gone by
ESPNcricinfo staff
07-Jan-2023
When it rains, it bores: Usman Khawaja wishes the rain would have held off just long enough for him to get five more runs • Cricket Australia via Getty Images
New year, same old blues for South Africa, who are hoping the rain will come in the way of Australia sweeping them in all three Tests. In Pakistan, the first Test ended in a high-scoring draw after a mysterious declaration by Babar Azam and a last-minute dash by the New Zealand batters, and the second one went one better, setting up a nail-biter of a fourth innings. Sri Lanka have already posed a stiff challenge to India in the T20I series, with India squeaking past in the first one and Sri Lanka clinching a commanding victory in the second to level the series. The cricket isn't letting up - the ILT20 and SA20 begin in less than a week - so here's a round-up of the week and the year that was 2022.
Fantastic Sarfaraz ton not enough as bad light has final say in Karachi thriller
NZ came within a wicket of a win, Pakistan were 15 runs away from the target, but bad light snuffed out the final three overs. Sarfaraz played a part in securing a draw in both Tests, but Pakistan now have not won a single Test at home in this World Test Championship cycle. When did New Zealand first tour Pakistan? And who is the only member of New Zealand's current squad to have played in Pakistan before? Take our quiz on New Zealand's tours of Pakistan past.
NZ came within a wicket of a win, Pakistan were 15 runs away from the target, but bad light snuffed out the final three overs. Sarfaraz played a part in securing a draw in both Tests, but Pakistan now have not won a single Test at home in this World Test Championship cycle. When did New Zealand first tour Pakistan? And who is the only member of New Zealand's current squad to have played in Pakistan before? Take our quiz on New Zealand's tours of Pakistan past.
Khawaja waits on 195 as rain washes out day three at the SCG
Rain has so far denied Australia a 3-0 sweep against South Africa after they decimated the visitors by an innings and 182 runs in the second Test to secure the series. Usman Khawaja remains stuck on 195 not out, leaving Pat Cummins with a potentially tricky declaration call. Ian Chappell says South Africa's batting is sorely lacking and while their bowling looked good on paper, it hasn't quite paid dividends but with a bit of inspired captaincy it might have.
Rain has so far denied Australia a 3-0 sweep against South Africa after they decimated the visitors by an innings and 182 runs in the second Test to secure the series. Usman Khawaja remains stuck on 195 not out, leaving Pat Cummins with a potentially tricky declaration call. Ian Chappell says South Africa's batting is sorely lacking and while their bowling looked good on paper, it hasn't quite paid dividends but with a bit of inspired captaincy it might have.
The year in review
We look back at the year that was 2022 in cricket, with a series of report cards. In our first, we analyse England's turbo-charged year, India's stutter at the crunch, Bangladesh's move up, and how Ireland, Afghanistan, West Indies and Zimbabwe have fared. In our second batch - Australia women's all-conquering year, Ireland's moments of greatness, Pakistan's so-near-yet-so-far finishes, and report cards for New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Netherlands, and more.
We look back at the year that was 2022 in cricket, with a series of report cards. In our first, we analyse England's turbo-charged year, India's stutter at the crunch, Bangladesh's move up, and how Ireland, Afghanistan, West Indies and Zimbabwe have fared. In our second batch - Australia women's all-conquering year, Ireland's moments of greatness, Pakistan's so-near-yet-so-far finishes, and report cards for New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Netherlands, and more.
The three best Tests I watched this year
Mark Nicholas looks back at an exciting year of Tests capped by three special ones, starring Dean Elgar, Virat Kohli, Jonny Bairstow and an England team playing a fierce and fun brand of the game.
Mark Nicholas looks back at an exciting year of Tests capped by three special ones, starring Dean Elgar, Virat Kohli, Jonny Bairstow and an England team playing a fierce and fun brand of the game.
T20s might be the future, but they won't thrive without bilateral cricket and its ecosystem
Sambit Bal takes stock of a year in which the big change - players choosing cash over country - came without fuss or fanfare; and how Stokes and Co redefined Test cricket.
Sambit Bal takes stock of a year in which the big change - players choosing cash over country - came without fuss or fanfare; and how Stokes and Co redefined Test cricket.
England flip the switch, Australia Women rule, and Pakistan's pitches give batters joy
S Rajesh has the stats and trends that defined 2022.
S Rajesh has the stats and trends that defined 2022.
Has Jaydev Unadkat had the longest wait ever for a Test wicket?
And how many times has a team fielded an XI of only players over 30? No question too strange for Steven Lynch as he fires up his stats and trivia machine for answers.
And how many times has a team fielded an XI of only players over 30? No question too strange for Steven Lynch as he fires up his stats and trivia machine for answers.