In Case You Missed It: Come-from-behind wins and twists in the tail
Our best content from the week gone by
Deepti Unni
21-Aug-2021
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami's 89-run stand had England chasing the tail • Getty Images
Two cracking Tests set the tone for the week: there was plenty of drama in India's high-octane last-day defeat of England and West Indies' one-wicket win over Pakistan. And there's barely any time to catch a breath as the Hundred's inaugural season wraps up this weekend, even as debate rages about its long-term impact. There's an IPL round the corner and plenty more Tests to get through, so get stuck in on a recap of all the action from the week.
Siraj finishes England off as India script famous win
In a high-octane match that brought a new twist every hour, Kohli's men went 1-0 up after England folded for 120 chasing 272, despite a valiant attempt by Jos Buttler to see his team through to at least a draw. Jasprit Bumrah shone with bat and ball on the final day as England suffered malfunction after malfunction after what Andrew Miller calls a needlessly self-destructive passage of play. For Nagraj Gollapudi, the win epitomised the collective strength of the Indian team, while in KL Rahul's golden run in the last two Tests, Aakash Chopra sees a dogged return to form after powering through a rough patch.
In a high-octane match that brought a new twist every hour, Kohli's men went 1-0 up after England folded for 120 chasing 272, despite a valiant attempt by Jos Buttler to see his team through to at least a draw. Jasprit Bumrah shone with bat and ball on the final day as England suffered malfunction after malfunction after what Andrew Miller calls a needlessly self-destructive passage of play. For Nagraj Gollapudi, the win epitomised the collective strength of the Indian team, while in KL Rahul's golden run in the last two Tests, Aakash Chopra sees a dogged return to form after powering through a rough patch.
Roach and Seales help West Indies pull off a thrilling one-wicket win over Pakistan
An equally exciting first Test concluded at Sabina Park, where after taking a five-for in the morning, No. 11 Jayden Seales hung around for his partner Kemar Roach to hit the winning runs. It was cricket that echoed some of the very best West Indies-Pakistan contests that have come before, says Danyal Rasool - and now joins the list of West Indies' most memorable Test wins this century.
An equally exciting first Test concluded at Sabina Park, where after taking a five-for in the morning, No. 11 Jayden Seales hung around for his partner Kemar Roach to hit the winning runs. It was cricket that echoed some of the very best West Indies-Pakistan contests that have come before, says Danyal Rasool - and now joins the list of West Indies' most memorable Test wins this century.
Azeem Rafiq calls on ECB, politicians to intervene after Yorkshire delay publication of racism report
The former England Under-19 and Yorkshire captain prompted the report following his allegations of racism at the club a year ago, but Yorkshire has held on to the completed report citing the need to reflect and "take advice on the content" of it. The club has apologised to Rafiq though, saying the report has upheld several of his allegations that led to the probe, but without specifying which allegations were upheld.
The former England Under-19 and Yorkshire captain prompted the report following his allegations of racism at the club a year ago, but Yorkshire has held on to the completed report citing the need to reflect and "take advice on the content" of it. The club has apologised to Rafiq though, saying the report has upheld several of his allegations that led to the probe, but without specifying which allegations were upheld.
Mission 2028: what does cricket's road to the Olympics look like?
The ICC has announced that cricket is officially making its push for the Los Angeles Games, but it has to overcome many practical and logistical hurdles on the way there. Sharda Ugra examines the challenges.
The ICC has announced that cricket is officially making its push for the Los Angeles Games, but it has to overcome many practical and logistical hurdles on the way there. Sharda Ugra examines the challenges.
Australia's best are back, but will it be enough for a title tilt?
Australia have had a particularly rough time of it on all fronts since the beginning of this year - with rumbles of discontent about coach Justin Langer the latest to roil the camp. Alex Malcolm takes stock of where the squad stands with the T20 World Cup and the Ashes coming up.
Australia have had a particularly rough time of it on all fronts since the beginning of this year - with rumbles of discontent about coach Justin Langer the latest to roil the camp. Alex Malcolm takes stock of where the squad stands with the T20 World Cup and the Ashes coming up.
If players believe Test cricket is the pinnacle, they need to call for a summit on its future
Ian Chappell says we often hear that the five-day format is the premier one, but the reality is different.
Ian Chappell says we often hear that the five-day format is the premier one, but the reality is different.
So you thought cricket was uncool?
Alan Gardner's got his best dress shirt on and his cap backwards to catch the newest, coolest format of cricket in this month's Light Roller.
Alan Gardner's got his best dress shirt on and his cap backwards to catch the newest, coolest format of cricket in this month's Light Roller.
Ask Steven: How many batters have survived two hat-trick balls in the same Test innings?
It's not just Joe Root. Steven Lynch has answers to questions that keep cricket fans awake at night.
It's not just Joe Root. Steven Lynch has answers to questions that keep cricket fans awake at night.
Varun Chakravarthy's checklist: IPL playoffs, T20 World Cup
The mystery spinner talks to Deivarayan Muthu about his immediate goals and how the intense competition is making him want to keep getting better at what he does.
The mystery spinner talks to Deivarayan Muthu about his immediate goals and how the intense competition is making him want to keep getting better at what he does.
Which team has made the CPL final five times without ever winning the title?
How well do you know the Caribbean league? Take our quiz and find out.
How well do you know the Caribbean league? Take our quiz and find out.
360 Batter: Dinesh Karthik
What goes into the making of an ideal batter, according to Dinesh Karthik? A pinch of Tendulkar, a cut of Sehwag and a scoop of Buttler.
What goes into the making of an ideal batter, according to Dinesh Karthik? A pinch of Tendulkar, a cut of Sehwag and a scoop of Buttler.
Deepti Unni is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo