In Case You Missed it: Australia, West Indies win big, Warne gets a final farewell
Our best content from the week gone by
ESPNcricinfo staff
02-Apr-2022
Can England stop the Australia juggernaut? • ICC via Getty Images
It's an Australia-England final at the Women's World Cup where Meg Lanning's invincibles will meet a young England team on the up, hungry to replicate their 2017 success. Australia men meanwhile are trying to make history in Pakistan by claiming the ODI series after their Test series win, but Pakistan just closed a record chase in the second game. Elsewhere England men have hit the lowest point of their miserable season away, while the IPL's first week gave us some cracking games. Catch up on all the action of the week in our round-up.
Healy 129, Haynes 85 power Australia to seventh final
Meg Lanning's Australia went through undefeated to their seventh World Cup final, comprehensively beating West Indies, who had scraped through after India's one-run loss to South Africa. For Alyssa Healy and Rachael Haynes, the architects of the semi-final win, it was vindication for not stepping away from the game during their rough patches, and Annesha Ghosh says the system needs to be lauded for that. The other finalists, England, also made it through after beating South Africa by 137 runs. Firdose Moonda says South Africa knew they were not good enough, and will now strive to get better.
Meg Lanning's Australia went through undefeated to their seventh World Cup final, comprehensively beating West Indies, who had scraped through after India's one-run loss to South Africa. For Alyssa Healy and Rachael Haynes, the architects of the semi-final win, it was vindication for not stepping away from the game during their rough patches, and Annesha Ghosh says the system needs to be lauded for that. The other finalists, England, also made it through after beating South Africa by 137 runs. Firdose Moonda says South Africa knew they were not good enough, and will now strive to get better.
Nathan Lyon five-for, Pat Cummins take Australia to 1-0 series win on final day
Australia mirrored their 1998-99 triumph in Pakistan with a 1-0 scoreline in their return to the country after 24 years, also marking their first Test series win in Asia since 2011. For Usman Khawaja, it was a dream homecoming, while Osman Samiuddin says Pat Cummins' show in the Test series puts him alongside the pantheon of greats, even as Ian Chappell sees India as Cummins' biggest test. Danyal Rasool says Pakistan's fatal flaw was that their spinners were outdone by their Australian counterparts in all three Tests.
Australia mirrored their 1998-99 triumph in Pakistan with a 1-0 scoreline in their return to the country after 24 years, also marking their first Test series win in Asia since 2011. For Usman Khawaja, it was a dream homecoming, while Osman Samiuddin says Pat Cummins' show in the Test series puts him alongside the pantheon of greats, even as Ian Chappell sees India as Cummins' biggest test. Danyal Rasool says Pakistan's fatal flaw was that their spinners were outdone by their Australian counterparts in all three Tests.
Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq hundreds take Pakistan to record chase
For all the faltering in the Test series, Pakistan set up a win for the ages in the second ODI, chasing down a record total to level the series. Ben McDermott's maiden international hundred ended up in a losing cause as Australia's bowlers suffered after Pakistan's Star and Crescent took centre stage.
For all the faltering in the Test series, Pakistan set up a win for the ages in the second ODI, chasing down a record total to level the series. Ben McDermott's maiden international hundred ended up in a losing cause as Australia's bowlers suffered after Pakistan's Star and Crescent took centre stage.
West Indies romp to ten-wicket victory, series spoils, as Roach and Brathwaite finish off England
It took just an hour and a half for West Indies to wrap up the Grenada Test on the fourth morning after England's spectacular collapse in the second innings. For Joshua Da Silva, whose maiden century set West Indies on the path to the win, it was an emotional day before one of the biggest crowds and with his oldest team-mate beside him. Alan Gardner says England's supposed red-ball reset has run out of rope, and Andrew Miller says though England have hit rock bottom, a rudderless ECB will struggle to set Joe Root adrift.
It took just an hour and a half for West Indies to wrap up the Grenada Test on the fourth morning after England's spectacular collapse in the second innings. For Joshua Da Silva, whose maiden century set West Indies on the path to the win, it was an emotional day before one of the biggest crowds and with his oldest team-mate beside him. Alan Gardner says England's supposed red-ball reset has run out of rope, and Andrew Miller says though England have hit rock bottom, a rudderless ECB will struggle to set Joe Root adrift.
Mehidy, Litton and Taskin - Bangladesh's metamorphosis men
Three men have helmed Bangladesh's miraculous first quarter of 2022, three men who had faded away after bright starts, but found ways to reclaim their places in international cricket. Mohammad Isam has their story.
Three men have helmed Bangladesh's miraculous first quarter of 2022, three men who had faded away after bright starts, but found ways to reclaim their places in international cricket. Mohammad Isam has their story.
Ashish Nehra: 'From year one, you should be looking to win the tournament'
The Gujarat Titans coach spoke to Nagraj Gollapudi about the franchise's auction strategy, the building of the squad, and what he expects from the team's first IPL season.
The Gujarat Titans coach spoke to Nagraj Gollapudi about the franchise's auction strategy, the building of the squad, and what he expects from the team's first IPL season.
Odean Smith, the next big thing from West Indies
The allrounder who starred in Punjab Kings' big win over RCB in only the second game of the season has made people in various leagues sit up and take notice and now he's done that at the IPL too, says Deivarayan Muthu.
The allrounder who starred in Punjab Kings' big win over RCB in only the second game of the season has made people in various leagues sit up and take notice and now he's done that at the IPL too, says Deivarayan Muthu.
Who was the first overseas player to take a hat-trick in the IPL?
And who was the final wicket in the first tied Test? Test your knowledge on memorable moments in cricket with our quiz.
And who was the final wicket in the first tied Test? Test your knowledge on memorable moments in cricket with our quiz.
Who has the most Test wickets without dismissing the same man twice?
And who is the youngest batter to make a first-class double-hundred? Steven Lynch has the answers and then some.
And who is the youngest batter to make a first-class double-hundred? Steven Lynch has the answers and then some.
Facing Warne: the magic, the theatre, and the whole shebang
As the world bid a final farewell to Shane Warne at his state funeral at the MCG, Rahul Dravid, Mahela Jayawardene, Ian Bell, Brian Lara, Waqar Younis, Sachin Tendulkar and Gary Kirsten recall the time they had to pit their skills against the greatest legspinner of all time.
As the world bid a final farewell to Shane Warne at his state funeral at the MCG, Rahul Dravid, Mahela Jayawardene, Ian Bell, Brian Lara, Waqar Younis, Sachin Tendulkar and Gary Kirsten recall the time they had to pit their skills against the greatest legspinner of all time.
Meet Logan van Beek, New Zealand's Dutch export, who is back down under again
The allrounder played U-19 cricket for New Zealand, now represents Netherlands, and is hoping to get back in black to play senior cricket for New Zealand again. Shashank Kishore follows his roundabout story.
The allrounder played U-19 cricket for New Zealand, now represents Netherlands, and is hoping to get back in black to play senior cricket for New Zealand again. Shashank Kishore follows his roundabout story.
Ireland coach Heinrich Malan: 'It's about inquisitively asking questions and getting people to think differently'
With 15 home games this summer, Ireland's new coach is hoping the players get plenty of experience ahead of the T20 World Cup.
With 15 home games this summer, Ireland's new coach is hoping the players get plenty of experience ahead of the T20 World Cup.