In Case You Missed it: Ben Stokes quits ODIs, Pakistan thump Sri Lanka at home
Our best content from the week gone by
ESPNcricinfo staff
23-Jul-2022
So long, Stokes: the England allrounder played his final ODI at his home ground in Durham • PA Photos/Getty Images
An eventful week of cricket saw Ben Stokes announce he was stepping away from 50-over cricket, Hampshire take the T20 Blast trophy in a chaotic final over against Lancashire, and Pakistan seal a coup on the final day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Here's the all the top news and stories you may have missed from the week.
Shafique's epic 160 not out leads Pakistan to fourth-innings glory
A sublime Babar Azam hundred in the first innings and an unbeaten, dreamy 160 by opener Abdullah Shafique in the second frustrated Sri Lanka's attempt to repeat their victory over Australia in Galle.
A sublime Babar Azam hundred in the first innings and an unbeaten, dreamy 160 by opener Abdullah Shafique in the second frustrated Sri Lanka's attempt to repeat their victory over Australia in Galle.
Ben Stokes announces retirement from ODI cricket
There was no farewell triumph for England's World Cup hero in his home town - South Africa beat the hosts by 62 runs at Chester-le-Street. Stokes' retirement statement highlighted how players are being stretched thin by the international calendar. It should prompt change, says Matt Roller, but it won't.
There was no farewell triumph for England's World Cup hero in his home town - South Africa beat the hosts by 62 runs at Chester-le-Street. Stokes' retirement statement highlighted how players are being stretched thin by the international calendar. It should prompt change, says Matt Roller, but it won't.
Tabraiz Shamsi: 'I've always wanted to get the best guy in the opposition out'
The South Africa spinner talks about relishing the chance to go up against England, his prolific 2021, and finding his feet in the national side
The South Africa spinner talks about relishing the chance to go up against England, his prolific 2021, and finding his feet in the national side
Katherine Brunt: 'If I break after the Commonwealth Games, so be it'
After a crushing 3-0 sweep of South Africa women in the ODI series and the first T20I in the bag as well, veteran seamer Brunt has her eyes on a gold medal after rolling back the years in the youthful T20I side.
After a crushing 3-0 sweep of South Africa women in the ODI series and the first T20I in the bag as well, veteran seamer Brunt has her eyes on a gold medal after rolling back the years in the youthful T20I side.
How Deepak Hooda turned things around (with a little help from Irfan Pathan)
A year ago, he didn't have a domestic team and things were looking grim. Then came the upswing, and now he's part of the India squad to the West Indies. Shashank Kishore follows his journey. India go into the limited-overs series against West Indies with their seventh captain of the year - a joint record with Sri Lanka who had seven in 2017. Abhijato Sensarma has a list of teams that had at least half a dozen captains in a calendar year.
A year ago, he didn't have a domestic team and things were looking grim. Then came the upswing, and now he's part of the India squad to the West Indies. Shashank Kishore follows his journey. India go into the limited-overs series against West Indies with their seventh captain of the year - a joint record with Sri Lanka who had seven in 2017. Abhijato Sensarma has a list of teams that had at least half a dozen captains in a calendar year.
Are Reece Topley's nine wickets across two consecutive ODIs a record?
And when was the last time a spinner took a ten-for in a Test in New Zealand? These and more questions answered by Steven Lynch in this week's Ask Steven.
And when was the last time a spinner took a ten-for in a Test in New Zealand? These and more questions answered by Steven Lynch in this week's Ask Steven.
Who was the first Kolpak player in county cricket?
And at which venue did Brian Lara make his 501 not out? Test your knowledge of famous overseas performances in county cricket in our quiz.
And at which venue did Brian Lara make his 501 not out? Test your knowledge of famous overseas performances in county cricket in our quiz.
Do teams benefit when their batters play long innings in T20s?
Himanish Ganjoo looks at why being set does not translate into enhanced hitting efficiency beyond a point
Himanish Ganjoo looks at why being set does not translate into enhanced hitting efficiency beyond a point
Captains should be suspended if their teams can't bowl 90 overs a day
Ian Chappell says over rates are a massive problem in the game, even after all these years. And so are issues with the DRS
Ian Chappell says over rates are a massive problem in the game, even after all these years. And so are issues with the DRS