In Case You Missed it: England finds coach in Brendon McCullum, Gujarat Titans clinch IPL playoffs berth
Our best content from the week gone by
ESPNcricinfo staff
14-May-2022
Back to the drawing board with England for Brendon McCullum? • Getty Images
In its most unpredictable season yet, the IPL currently has its two newest entrants at the top of the table, with Gujarat Titans winning nine of their 12 matches to clinch their spot as the first team in the playoffs. Elsewhere, England's long hunt for a red-ball coach has ended in the Antipodes, with the former captain of the New Zealand team. Here's all the action that went down this week.
Brendon McCullum named England's new Test coach
The current KKR coach, who says he was inspired to take the England job by the challenge of lifting the team up from rock bottom, will stand down from his IPL role at end of the season after signing a four-year deal with the ECB. Andrew Miller says on paper McCullum's Test coaching experience may look thin, but it might just be the masterstroke required to give the England team a sense of identity.
The current KKR coach, who says he was inspired to take the England job by the challenge of lifting the team up from rock bottom, will stand down from his IPL role at end of the season after signing a four-year deal with the ECB. Andrew Miller says on paper McCullum's Test coaching experience may look thin, but it might just be the masterstroke required to give the England team a sense of identity.
Torn by war, Ukraine still has cricket
At a time when the country's very existence is at stake, a few hardy souls are making a pitch for Associate membership of the ICC. By Osman Samiuddin
At a time when the country's very existence is at stake, a few hardy souls are making a pitch for Associate membership of the ICC. By Osman Samiuddin
CSA withdraws misconduct charges against Mark Boucher
With less than a week to go before the head coach's disciplinary hearing, the board found the charges were no longer sustainable. Earlier it also cleared Graeme Smith of all racism charges. Firdose Moonda says the Social Justice and Nation Building project's work is not done yet. For it to be meaningful, it needs to go beyond Smith and Boucher and allay the rest of the concerns raised by the process.
With less than a week to go before the head coach's disciplinary hearing, the board found the charges were no longer sustainable. Earlier it also cleared Graeme Smith of all racism charges. Firdose Moonda says the Social Justice and Nation Building project's work is not done yet. For it to be meaningful, it needs to go beyond Smith and Boucher and allay the rest of the concerns raised by the process.
Five months into 2022, Bangladesh unsure of Test philosophy
With a crucial series against Sri Lanka starting this week, Mominul Haque's men have some big questions to answer, says Mohammad Isam.
With a crucial series against Sri Lanka starting this week, Mominul Haque's men have some big questions to answer, says Mohammad Isam.
At the IPL
Gujarat Titans become first team to make the playoffs
Lucknow Super Giants came a cropper against Titans in the clash of the table-toppers, with the latter sealing their playoffs spot. LSG remain well placed to make the playoffs, but the rest of the spots are still in contention.
Lucknow Super Giants came a cropper against Titans in the clash of the table-toppers, with the latter sealing their playoffs spot. LSG remain well placed to make the playoffs, but the rest of the spots are still in contention.
Rajasthan Royals reaping benefits of investing in players
Royals and Punjab Kings have gone hell for leather in the competition this year, but one has found more success than the other - PBKS have chopped and changed, and struggled to narrow down on combinations.
Royals and Punjab Kings have gone hell for leather in the competition this year, but one has found more success than the other - PBKS have chopped and changed, and struggled to narrow down on combinations.
India have the IPL to thank for their formidable international depth
Ian Chappell says the country has long had the potential but with the IPL, it has been translated into visible, measurable performance.
Ian Chappell says the country has long had the potential but with the IPL, it has been translated into visible, measurable performance.
Shahbaz Ahmed: 'Prepared and waiting to finish matches on my own'
After struggling with his batting in the 2021 IPL, the RCB allrounder has been setting the pace with both bat and ball this season.
After struggling with his batting in the 2021 IPL, the RCB allrounder has been setting the pace with both bat and ball this season.
Jitesh Sharma: 'The responsibility of finishing is huge and not everyone has the capability'
After finding his way into cricket in an unusual fashion, in his second IPL stint, the wicketkeeper-batter has turned matches around for Punjab Kings. He believes his middle-order prowess means he's here to stay.
After finding his way into cricket in an unusual fashion, in his second IPL stint, the wicketkeeper-batter has turned matches around for Punjab Kings. He believes his middle-order prowess means he's here to stay.
'He hadn't eaten lunch for a year' - The sacrifices of Kumar Kartikeya Singh
The 24-year old left-arm spinner from Uttar Pradesh who was called up by the Mumbai Indians this season has had to cross several hurdles to fulfill his dream of playing cricket. Nikhil Sharma follows his story. Mumbai's other discovery has been Tilak Varma, who brought the only light in an otherwise dark season for the former champions. Shashank Kishore spoke to the 19-year-old batter's early coaches about the dedication and maturity he brings to his game.
The 24-year old left-arm spinner from Uttar Pradesh who was called up by the Mumbai Indians this season has had to cross several hurdles to fulfill his dream of playing cricket. Nikhil Sharma follows his story. Mumbai's other discovery has been Tilak Varma, who brought the only light in an otherwise dark season for the former champions. Shashank Kishore spoke to the 19-year-old batter's early coaches about the dedication and maturity he brings to his game.
What is the highest opening partnership in IPL history?
Also, which Pakistan player was unflatteringly nicknamed "Peshawar Rickshaw"? From the IPL to the trivial, all your cricket questions are answered by Steven Lynch.
Also, which Pakistan player was unflatteringly nicknamed "Peshawar Rickshaw"? From the IPL to the trivial, all your cricket questions are answered by Steven Lynch.
Which bowler has the most hat-tricks in international cricket?
And who is the first woman to take two international hat-tricks? Take our hat-trick trivia quiz to test your knowledge.
And who is the first woman to take two international hat-tricks? Take our hat-trick trivia quiz to test your knowledge.
County-prepped Will Young now looks to deliver in New Zealand colours
While the rest of the New Zealand team arrives next week to begin prep for their series against England, two New Zealanders have been honing their chops in the County Championship. Matt Roller says Young's Northants stint has left the NZ batter well equipped to face Ben Stokes' England challenge.
While the rest of the New Zealand team arrives next week to begin prep for their series against England, two New Zealanders have been honing their chops in the County Championship. Matt Roller says Young's Northants stint has left the NZ batter well equipped to face Ben Stokes' England challenge.
Samit Patel: 'Who'd have thought that I'd play 20 years of T20 cricket? It's pretty special'
The second-highest wicket-taker in the history of English domestic T20 cricket, Patel is targeting more success with Notts as the tournament's 20th season draws near.
The second-highest wicket-taker in the history of English domestic T20 cricket, Patel is targeting more success with Notts as the tournament's 20th season draws near.