In Case You Missed it: Australia win the T20 World Cup, Paine steps down, de Villiers steps away
The best content from the week gone by
ESPNcricinfo staff
20-Nov-2021
Marsh attacks: Mitchell Marsh's 77 from 50 balls sealed Australia's first T20 World Cup win • Getty Images
Australia completed their come-from-behind takeover of the T20 World Cup by beating New Zealand to yet another title, thanks to Mitchell Marsh and David Warner's batting heroics. But even before the celebrations had died down, news broke that Test captain Tim Paine was stepping down from captaincy after a 2018 investigation came to light. In the UK, Azeem Rafiq's harrowing testimony on the racism he faced shook up cricket, and the fallout continues. AB de Villiers picked the same week to announce his retirement from all forms of cricket, breaking several RCB hearts in the process. In a week where everything that could happen happened, here's your catch-up of all the action.
Marsh, Warner muscle Australia to T20 World Cup glory
Australia won their first ever T20 World Cup trophy, despite Kane Williamson's valiant 85 for New Zealand. The game belonged to Mitch Marsh, who, Matt Roller says, has finally proven his doubters wrong, and David Warner, in whom Osman Samiuddin sees echoes of the bullish Australia of old. Josh Hazlewood was Australia's key bowler, and Jarrod Kimber explores how the fast bowler's talent, more than planning, made him a T20 superstar.
Australia won their first ever T20 World Cup trophy, despite Kane Williamson's valiant 85 for New Zealand. The game belonged to Mitch Marsh, who, Matt Roller says, has finally proven his doubters wrong, and David Warner, in whom Osman Samiuddin sees echoes of the bullish Australia of old. Josh Hazlewood was Australia's key bowler, and Jarrod Kimber explores how the fast bowler's talent, more than planning, made him a T20 superstar.
'That flame no longer burns so brightly' - AB de Villiers retires from all cricket
In a surprise announcement, the former South Africa and RCB batter said he's decided after a lot of contemplation to "hang up my boots and spend quality time with my family".
In a surprise announcement, the former South Africa and RCB batter said he's decided after a lot of contemplation to "hang up my boots and spend quality time with my family".
Tim Paine quits as Australia captain after sending explicit messages to female co-worker
Just weeks before the Ashes are set to begin, the Australia captain stepped down after news emerged that he was investigated in 2018 for explicit texts sent to a coworker, which have now gone public. The board accepted Paine's resignation and said that the process of identifying and appointing a new Test captain will be accelerated.
Just weeks before the Ashes are set to begin, the Australia captain stepped down after news emerged that he was investigated in 2018 for explicit texts sent to a coworker, which have now gone public. The board accepted Paine's resignation and said that the process of identifying and appointing a new Test captain will be accelerated.
Yorkshire come to grief over Azeem Rafiq affair, but acceptance is a way off yet
Azeem Rafiq gave explosive, emotional testimony at the parliamentary hearing last week that sent shock waves through cricket. It prompted Roger Hutton, former Yorkshire chair, to admit the club's behaviour fell within the scope of institutional racism. David Hopps says the proud club's agonies may only be beginning as change comes too late to save reputation. Osman Samiuddin sees in Rafiq's testimony an experience shared by minorities everywhere - that sometimes when discrimination is so insidious and all-pervasive, it becomes hard to see it for what it is.
Azeem Rafiq gave explosive, emotional testimony at the parliamentary hearing last week that sent shock waves through cricket. It prompted Roger Hutton, former Yorkshire chair, to admit the club's behaviour fell within the scope of institutional racism. David Hopps says the proud club's agonies may only be beginning as change comes too late to save reputation. Osman Samiuddin sees in Rafiq's testimony an experience shared by minorities everywhere - that sometimes when discrimination is so insidious and all-pervasive, it becomes hard to see it for what it is.
A formulaic tournament with twists in its tail
Mark Nicholas reviews the T20 World Cup, which he says was front-loaded with predictable games but redeemed itself by saving the best for last. For Tim Wigmore, the first leg of the tournament was a sign that Associate nations haven't kept up in T20, because they're just getting too few games, and the pandemic can only be blamed so much for that. Alan Gardner found unlikely new cult heroes in Marcus Stoinis and Jimmy Neesham, and sang their praises in this month's Light Roller.
Mark Nicholas reviews the T20 World Cup, which he says was front-loaded with predictable games but redeemed itself by saving the best for last. For Tim Wigmore, the first leg of the tournament was a sign that Associate nations haven't kept up in T20, because they're just getting too few games, and the pandemic can only be blamed so much for that. Alan Gardner found unlikely new cult heroes in Marcus Stoinis and Jimmy Neesham, and sang their praises in this month's Light Roller.
Ricky Skerritt: 'There's a growing desire to support the sustainable return of international cricket in Pakistan'
This week the ICC approved 14 host countries across continents that will stage eight marquee global tournaments between 2024 to 2031. Skerritt, who was part of the committee involved in the process, explains the bidding process and logic behind picking the hosts for the ICC tournaments from 2024 to 2031.
This week the ICC approved 14 host countries across continents that will stage eight marquee global tournaments between 2024 to 2031. Skerritt, who was part of the committee involved in the process, explains the bidding process and logic behind picking the hosts for the ICC tournaments from 2024 to 2031.
Venkatesh Iyer: 'I'm blessed I had to struggle to understand the value of cricket'
The Kolkata Knight Riders batter on his call-up to the India squad, his long journey so far, and the people who have helped along the way.
The Kolkata Knight Riders batter on his call-up to the India squad, his long journey so far, and the people who have helped along the way.
What's the most runs scored by a side in the last four overs to win a T20I?
And what's the highest score by a No. 11 in ODIs and T20Is? If you have questions, Steven Lynch has the answers, and then some.
And what's the highest score by a No. 11 in ODIs and T20Is? If you have questions, Steven Lynch has the answers, and then some.
What looking at the halfway mark of Tests and innings tells us about them
Anantha Narayanan deep-dives into patterns of runs scored and wickets taken at halfway points of Test matches and innings.
Anantha Narayanan deep-dives into patterns of runs scored and wickets taken at halfway points of Test matches and innings.