In Case You Missed it: Australia's historic return, Kohli's 100, and World Cup time again
Our best content from the week gone by
ESPNcricinfo staff
04-Mar-2022
Pak it up: It's a battle for the ages in Rawalpindi • AFP/Getty Images
What a week it is in cricket. Australia are in Pakistan after 24 long years to play their first Test series since 1998. Virat Kohli has joined the 100-Test club. And the pandemic-delayed Women's ODI World Cup has kicked off in New Zealand. There's a lot of action to catch up on, so get stuck in on the week's biggest stories and events in our round-up.
Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj give South Africa series-tying win
Devon Conway's hard-fought 92 was not enough for New Zealand in the end after the hosts lost 6 for 61 on the final day. For South Africa, who've seen upheaval after upheaval, and were being written off not long ago, it's been a showcase of the resilience of the good old days, says Firdose Moonda. And credit must be given to captain Dean Elgar, who led the team through the storm. Mark Nicholas likewise says this South Africa have shown the fighting spirit that has always defined their cricket.
Devon Conway's hard-fought 92 was not enough for New Zealand in the end after the hosts lost 6 for 61 on the final day. For South Africa, who've seen upheaval after upheaval, and were being written off not long ago, it's been a showcase of the resilience of the good old days, says Firdose Moonda. And credit must be given to captain Dean Elgar, who led the team through the storm. Mark Nicholas likewise says this South Africa have shown the fighting spirit that has always defined their cricket.
Pat Cummins is golden - for now at least
As Cummins leads Australia on their first tour of Pakistan in 24 years, Osman Samiuddin looks at why the Australia captain represents an unusually evolved cricket leader for his age. For Usman Khawaja, who was born in Islamabad, it's a homecoming of sorts but he isn't fazed by it, and for Cameron Green, who had a breakout Ashes, it's a first proper overseas test. What was it like to tour Pakistan, and beat the home side, in 1998? Offspinner Colin Miller, who played in all three Tests, looks back at the series. For Pakistan, this is a chance to make the most powerful off-field statement, says Danyal Rasool. For too long it has seemed as if touring Pakistan is the last thing a western cricketing nation wants to do and this series has the power to change that.
As Cummins leads Australia on their first tour of Pakistan in 24 years, Osman Samiuddin looks at why the Australia captain represents an unusually evolved cricket leader for his age. For Usman Khawaja, who was born in Islamabad, it's a homecoming of sorts but he isn't fazed by it, and for Cameron Green, who had a breakout Ashes, it's a first proper overseas test. What was it like to tour Pakistan, and beat the home side, in 1998? Offspinner Colin Miller, who played in all three Tests, looks back at the series. For Pakistan, this is a chance to make the most powerful off-field statement, says Danyal Rasool. For too long it has seemed as if touring Pakistan is the last thing a western cricketing nation wants to do and this series has the power to change that.
Sri Lanka desperately need Dimuth Karunaratne to lead the charge of their building
The reason why we expect Sri Lanka will make something of the Tests against India is because in his own unobtrusive way, Karunaratne has made it so, says Andrew Fidel Fernando. He also has a list of lesser-known Sri Lanka players to keep an eye on in this Test series.
The reason why we expect Sri Lanka will make something of the Tests against India is because in his own unobtrusive way, Karunaratne has made it so, says Andrew Fidel Fernando. He also has a list of lesser-known Sri Lanka players to keep an eye on in this Test series.
Mohammad Hafeez shines with bat and ball as Qalandars lift PSL trophy
Lahore Qalandars turned the tables to beat defending champions Multan Sultans by 43 runs and lift their first PSL trophy. Qalandars' David Wiese credited captain Shaheen Afridi for the win. Afridi also made captain in ESPNcricinfo's PSL team of the tournament.
Lahore Qalandars turned the tables to beat defending champions Multan Sultans by 43 runs and lift their first PSL trophy. Qalandars' David Wiese credited captain Shaheen Afridi for the win. Afridi also made captain in ESPNcricinfo's PSL team of the tournament.
The many versions of batting genius Virat Kohli
As Kohli goes into his 100th Test, Sidharth Monga looks at what made him such a special batter and says he is of that rare breed who keep making changes to the very soul of their batting.- S Rajesh crunches numbers to figure out if Kohli's Test average of 50.39 is actually worth more in these bowler-dominated times. Which have been Kohli's best Test knocks? From Wellington 2014 to Perth 2018, we have a list.
As Kohli goes into his 100th Test, Sidharth Monga looks at what made him such a special batter and says he is of that rare breed who keep making changes to the very soul of their batting.- S Rajesh crunches numbers to figure out if Kohli's Test average of 50.39 is actually worth more in these bowler-dominated times. Which have been Kohli's best Test knocks? From Wellington 2014 to Perth 2018, we have a list.
Everything you need to know about the 2022 Women's World Cup
Who are the favourites? What's the format? Will DRS be used? Here's ESPNcricinfo's definitive guide for the tournament. Sampath Bandarupalli also has a deep dive into how women's ODIs have changed since the 2017 tournament. How much do you remember Women's ODI World Cups past? Take our quiz and find out.
Who are the favourites? What's the format? Will DRS be used? Here's ESPNcricinfo's definitive guide for the tournament. Sampath Bandarupalli also has a deep dive into how women's ODIs have changed since the 2017 tournament. How much do you remember Women's ODI World Cups past? Take our quiz and find out.
Beth Mooney: 'No situation gives me stress when I'm batting because I feel like I can control the game'
The pressure-specialist batter talks to Andrew McGlashan about how she gets going when the going gets tough.
The pressure-specialist batter talks to Andrew McGlashan about how she gets going when the going gets tough.
Meet Diana Baig, Gilgit-Baltistan's sole player at the 2022 Women's World Cup
The fast bowler talks to Firdose Moonda about growing up in the mountains, her "royal" name, and wanting to take her team to at least the semi-finals of the World Cup.
The fast bowler talks to Firdose Moonda about growing up in the mountains, her "royal" name, and wanting to take her team to at least the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Tahlia McGrath switches focus to World Cup after season she 'never would have imagined'
A little under a year ago, McGrath was part of Australia's tour of New Zealand and did not get a game. Now, she returns for the ODI World Cup as an integral part of the team after a breakout home season that saw her win Player-of-the-Series awards against India and England. Andrew McGlashan talks to her about her stupendous season.
A little under a year ago, McGrath was part of Australia's tour of New Zealand and did not get a game. Now, she returns for the ODI World Cup as an integral part of the team after a breakout home season that saw her win Player-of-the-Series awards against India and England. Andrew McGlashan talks to her about her stupendous season.
Who Does it Best?
The final two entries in our women's cricket series feature the small but quick Shabnim Ismail, owner of the meanest bouncer in the game, and Harmanpreet Kaur, whose sweep is the perfect marriage of technique and instinct.
The final two entries in our women's cricket series feature the small but quick Shabnim Ismail, owner of the meanest bouncer in the game, and Harmanpreet Kaur, whose sweep is the perfect marriage of technique and instinct.
Don't look up: the James Faulkner story
Andrew Fidel Fernando finds that the hottest face-offs in cricket now are currently happening off the field in this month's Briefing.
Andrew Fidel Fernando finds that the hottest face-offs in cricket now are currently happening off the field in this month's Briefing.
What is the highest partnership in a T20 match?
Also: what is the record for the most ducks in a first-class innings? Steven Lynch has all the answers.
Also: what is the record for the most ducks in a first-class innings? Steven Lynch has all the answers.