In Case You Missed It: CA's horror week, South Africa's cricket tweaks
Our best content from last week
ESPNcricinfo staff
22-Jun-2020
No-confidence motion: Kevin Roberts stepped down as CEO of CA over his handling of the Covid-19 crisis • Getty Images
While cricket does the will-it-won't-it dance with its return - last week South Africa announced an experimental format one-off game at the end of the month only to withdraw it a couple of days later - cricket boards are having a torrid time. In a horror week for Cricket Australia, the board lost its CEO, lost more jobs, faced up to the T20 World Cup not happening this year, and then got slammed by fans for its takedown of Rob Moody's digital video library. It's been a one-step forward, two-steps back week for cricket. Here's what you may have missed.
South Africa's wait gets longer with 3TC competition delayed
Last week South Africa announced their return to cricket via a one-off experimental game involving three teams on June 27, but had to walk it back two days later because they hadn't received approval from the government. The money raised from the event was meant to go towards a hardship fund for people in the cricket community affected by the pandemic.
Last week South Africa announced their return to cricket via a one-off experimental game involving three teams on June 27, but had to walk it back two days later because they hadn't received approval from the government. The money raised from the event was meant to go towards a hardship fund for people in the cricket community affected by the pandemic.
Knowledge, power - and the fall of Kevin Roberts
Just 18 months after he was appointed CEO of Cricket Australia. Roberts has had to step down from his position over the handling of the Covid-19 fallout, replaced in the interim by Nick Hockley, the T20 World Cup local organising chief. The same day, CA also announced 40 job losses amid a restructuring. And in the midst of this turmoil, CA chairman Earl Eddings signalled that the T20 World Cup was looking more and more unlikely this year.
Just 18 months after he was appointed CEO of Cricket Australia. Roberts has had to step down from his position over the handling of the Covid-19 fallout, replaced in the interim by Nick Hockley, the T20 World Cup local organising chief. The same day, CA also announced 40 job losses amid a restructuring. And in the midst of this turmoil, CA chairman Earl Eddings signalled that the T20 World Cup was looking more and more unlikely this year.
Why cricket boards should be more liberal with archival footage
On June 16, the largest online cricket video library, run by Rob Moody, was slapped with copyright notices and temporarily shut down by Twitter. After a huge backlash from fans, CA retracted the notices, saying they were made in error, but boards and broadcasters continue to crack down hard on fans sharing clips on social media. Sidharth Monga argues that those putting archive footage out there, like Moody, are doing the game more good than they are doing the boards putative harm.
On June 16, the largest online cricket video library, run by Rob Moody, was slapped with copyright notices and temporarily shut down by Twitter. After a huge backlash from fans, CA retracted the notices, saying they were made in error, but boards and broadcasters continue to crack down hard on fans sharing clips on social media. Sidharth Monga argues that those putting archive footage out there, like Moody, are doing the game more good than they are doing the boards putative harm.
Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Dean Elgar… who will South Africa's next Test captain be?
With Quinton de Kock out of the running, there is no clear successor to Faf du Plessis in sight. Firdose Moonda weighs up the likely candidates.
With Quinton de Kock out of the running, there is no clear successor to Faf du Plessis in sight. Firdose Moonda weighs up the likely candidates.
Watch: Mohammed Shami: 'If someone looks at us India bowlers, they'll be struck by how happy we are with each other'
In a brand new Hindi talk show, Cricketbaazi, Shami talks to Deep Dasgupta about moving to Bengal for cricket, his ODI and Test debuts, and the camaraderie shared by India's fast bowlers.
In a brand new Hindi talk show, Cricketbaazi, Shami talks to Deep Dasgupta about moving to Bengal for cricket, his ODI and Test debuts, and the camaraderie shared by India's fast bowlers.
Hot Seat: Taking on the four horsemen of West Indies
Chasing 287 in the 1979 World Cup final against West Indies' all-star pace attack, England barely made an attempt. Which line-up from any era could have made a fist of it? Our writers take a stab at finding a fighting unit.
Chasing 287 in the 1979 World Cup final against West Indies' all-star pace attack, England barely made an attempt. Which line-up from any era could have made a fist of it? Our writers take a stab at finding a fighting unit.
Fifty landmark cricket moments: how many have ESPNcricinfo's writers watched?
Our writers pick their favourite moments and the ones they missed. Can you beat their scores?
Our writers pick their favourite moments and the ones they missed. Can you beat their scores?
Chappell: The racism I have seen in cricket
During his playing and broadcasting career, Ian Chappell has seen the toxic effect prejudice and ignorance could have on people and the game.
During his playing and broadcasting career, Ian Chappell has seen the toxic effect prejudice and ignorance could have on people and the game.
Rahkeem Cornwall: 'In Test cricket the margin is very slim, so you have to always be on the money'
The West Indies offspinner knows bowling spin in England is a tough ask, but he's up for the challenge, he tells Nagraj Gollapudi.
The West Indies offspinner knows bowling spin in England is a tough ask, but he's up for the challenge, he tells Nagraj Gollapudi.
Dream Team: The ultimate Test XI to beat Steve Waugh's side in Australia
Sambit Bal, Osman Samiuddin, Andrew Miller join Raunak Kapoor to pick a team from the 1999-2004 period that could have challenged the unstoppable Aussies.
Sambit Bal, Osman Samiuddin, Andrew Miller join Raunak Kapoor to pick a team from the 1999-2004 period that could have challenged the unstoppable Aussies.
Rabbit Holes: Malinga, Pollard, Dhoni, Watson: who is the IPL's all-time MVP?
Can you pit allrounders against specialist batsmen and bowlers? Can supercaptain MS Dhoni break into the MVP list? Does Kieron Pollard have a better claim than Shane Watson? How do you compare David Warner and Lasith Malinga? The debate rages on.
Can you pit allrounders against specialist batsmen and bowlers? Can supercaptain MS Dhoni break into the MVP list? Does Kieron Pollard have a better claim than Shane Watson? How do you compare David Warner and Lasith Malinga? The debate rages on.
Light Roller: It's time for the most one-sided battle ever: IPL v rest of the world
Alan Gardner imagines the brave new world of cricket post-pandemic and lays bets on the biggest box office clash of the overburdened cricket calendar.
Alan Gardner imagines the brave new world of cricket post-pandemic and lays bets on the biggest box office clash of the overburdened cricket calendar.
Tim Paine looked like a leader, then became one
How Australia's Test captain overcame injury, took the hot seat, and found empathy. Daniel Brettig tells the story
How Australia's Test captain overcame injury, took the hot seat, and found empathy. Daniel Brettig tells the story
When Mohammad Ashraful took on McGrath and Gillespie
Fifteen years on, Ashraful, Habibul Bashar, Jason Gillespie and others look back at that famous win in Cardiff.
Fifteen years on, Ashraful, Habibul Bashar, Jason Gillespie and others look back at that famous win in Cardiff.