In Case You Missed It: Cricket in the time of no cricket
Our best content from the last fortnight
ESPNcricinfo staff
30-Mar-2020
Social distancing done right, courtesy Yabba • AFP
In the last two weeks since the Covid-19 outbreak was officially declared a pandemic, nearly all sports have officially been halted. So what do we do in times of no cricket? We watch old cricket, of course. ESPNcricinfo's #RetroLive relives classic matches with real-time ball-by-ball commentary as if it were being played today - catch up on the 1992 World Cup final between Pakistan and England, for starters. Elsewhere, we're looking back at cricket history with 2020-vision and wondering if perhaps South Africa's cruel exit from the 1992 World Cup was portended, and if maybe Greg Chappell wasn't the monster coach he was made out to be after all. Catch up on all the non-match action from the fortnight here.
Sport still matters, perhaps more than we think
Sambit Bal says that in times like these, when we feel besieged and anxious, it can offer some of the respite our minds and hearts need.
Sambit Bal says that in times like these, when we feel besieged and anxious, it can offer some of the respite our minds and hearts need.
Push T20 World Cup to 2021? Rework WTC? Scrap ODI league?
With the Covid-19 pandemic disrupting sports schedules worldwide, the ICC and member boards are being confronted with difficult questions in coming months. What happens to the T20 World Cup later this year? And what about the World Test Championship now that several Test series have been called off? Nagraj Gollapudi looks for answers.
With the Covid-19 pandemic disrupting sports schedules worldwide, the ICC and member boards are being confronted with difficult questions in coming months. What happens to the T20 World Cup later this year? And what about the World Test Championship now that several Test series have been called off? Nagraj Gollapudi looks for answers.
Come to think of it
In the first of a brand new series that reviews accepted cricket wisdom with the benefit of hindsight, Sidharth Monga looks back at South Africa's controversial exit from the 1992 World Cup and asks: Were the Proteas really unlucky or did they simply suffer the consequences of their own action earlier in the semi-final?
In the first of a brand new series that reviews accepted cricket wisdom with the benefit of hindsight, Sidharth Monga looks back at South Africa's controversial exit from the 1992 World Cup and asks: Were the Proteas really unlucky or did they simply suffer the consequences of their own action earlier in the semi-final?
And Karthik Krishnaswamy revisits Greg Chappell's tempestuous two-years coaching India coach and wonders whether Chappell was really all that terrible a coach?
Downtime Diaries
How have cricketers been spending their time in self-isolation? R Ashwin thinks there is a lesson in all this: that we take the game too seriously, as he spends time at home with his wife and kids, while Hanuma Vihari might be cheating a little on his diet as carbs come calling.
How have cricketers been spending their time in self-isolation? R Ashwin thinks there is a lesson in all this: that we take the game too seriously, as he spends time at home with his wife and kids, while Hanuma Vihari might be cheating a little on his diet as carbs come calling.
Alternative Universe
In a sport where the impossible often comes to pass, our writers look at what would have happened had things not panned out the way they did. For instance, what if Kane Williamson had won the 2019 World Cup?
In a sport where the impossible often comes to pass, our writers look at what would have happened had things not panned out the way they did. For instance, what if Kane Williamson had won the 2019 World Cup?
What we're watching now:99.94 and all that
How are we coping without live cricket? Last week, we watched Bradman.
How are we coping without live cricket? Last week, we watched Bradman.
This is a time for healing and we are all in charge
With sport on hold, we get the opportunity to recalibrate and reassess, says Mark Nicholas. Paul Edwards, meanwhile, looks to cricket's glorious treasure house to sustain us in perilous times.
With sport on hold, we get the opportunity to recalibrate and reassess, says Mark Nicholas. Paul Edwards, meanwhile, looks to cricket's glorious treasure house to sustain us in perilous times.
'If we can build by winning against big teams, the boys will find confidence'
Newly minted Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal talks to Mohammad Isam about his plans for the team.
Newly minted Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal talks to Mohammad Isam about his plans for the team.
'The chance to get back out there, we're all going to cherish that moment' - James Anderson
The veteran seamer, who was hoping to make his comeback from injury over the next few weeks, tells Alan Gardner that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic has helped him gain perspective on his career.
The veteran seamer, who was hoping to make his comeback from injury over the next few weeks, tells Alan Gardner that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic has helped him gain perspective on his career.
'It's not about learning to defend or attack, it's about knowing when to defend or attack'
Lance Klusener, who was appointed Afghanistan coach last year, talks to Deivarayan Muthu about the approach he takes with the side.
Lance Klusener, who was appointed Afghanistan coach last year, talks to Deivarayan Muthu about the approach he takes with the side.
Cricket, interrupted
In our photo feature, we look back to times when cricket has been disrupted, by war, terrorism and natural disasters.
In our photo feature, we look back to times when cricket has been disrupted, by war, terrorism and natural disasters.
'I hope I see the day when people acknowledge men's and women's cricket equally'
Mithali Raj looks back at the India women's performance in the T20 World Cup, and ahead to the possibility of a women's IPL.
Mithali Raj looks back at the India women's performance in the T20 World Cup, and ahead to the possibility of a women's IPL.