In Case You Missed It: Hometown heroes and IPL millionaires
Our best content from last week
ESPNcricinfo staff
23-Dec-2019
Pat Cummins is having a very good year • Getty Images
Christmas came early for all those who struck pay dirt at the IPL auction this week, with the likes Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell and Sheldon Cottrell raking in millions. Elsewhere, Pakistan are having a fabulous second Test at home, India have squeaked through in the ODI series against West Indies, and Australia and New Zealand, and South Africa and England are limbering up for Boxing Day Tests. Here's what you may have missed.
Peerless Kohli, nerveless Jadeja and big-hitting Thakur seal the series for India
West Indies played their part in a classic in Cuttack as the decider went down to the wire. A stunning late attack by Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran took the tourists to 316, but Virat Kohli got stuck in, and Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur carried India through to a series win after Kohli fell.
West Indies played their part in a classic in Cuttack as the decider went down to the wire. A stunning late attack by Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran took the tourists to 316, but Virat Kohli got stuck in, and Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur carried India through to a series win after Kohli fell.
Azhar Ali, Babar Azam tons, Naseem Shah three-for put Pakistan on victory path
It's being called Pakistan's most magnificent day of Test cricket all year, after the top four all scored centuries, and Naseem Shah took a three-for to put the hosts three wickets shy of victory against Sri Lanka. On the streets, Andrew Fidel Fernando is hearing just one name that's making hearts flutter everywhere - that of Babar Azam.
It's being called Pakistan's most magnificent day of Test cricket all year, after the top four all scored centuries, and Naseem Shah took a three-for to put the hosts three wickets shy of victory against Sri Lanka. On the streets, Andrew Fidel Fernando is hearing just one name that's making hearts flutter everywhere - that of Babar Azam.
Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell biggest IPL buys; Piyush Chawla top Indian pick
The biggest franchise auction broke its own records after Pat Cummins became the IPL's most expensive overseas buy ever, going to the Kolkata Knight Riders for an eye-watering $2.2 million dollars. Indian Under-19 players struck gold as well - teen prodigies Yashasvi Jaiswal and Priyam Garg were both sold for ten times their base price. Here's the full list of sold and unsold players and a handy round-up of all the major talking points from the auction.
The biggest franchise auction broke its own records after Pat Cummins became the IPL's most expensive overseas buy ever, going to the Kolkata Knight Riders for an eye-watering $2.2 million dollars. Indian Under-19 players struck gold as well - teen prodigies Yashasvi Jaiswal and Priyam Garg were both sold for ten times their base price. Here's the full list of sold and unsold players and a handy round-up of all the major talking points from the auction.
Ellyse Perry named ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year for the second time
She bagged two of the three biggest annual ICC awards, also being named ODI player of the year, while Alyssa Healy took home the T20I award for 2019.
She bagged two of the three biggest annual ICC awards, also being named ODI player of the year, while Alyssa Healy took home the T20I award for 2019.
Explainer: How and why Cricket South Africa's crisis developed
As the year winds down, Firdose Moonda looks back at the on-field defeats to off-field meltdowns that made it an annus horriblis for South Africa.
As the year winds down, Firdose Moonda looks back at the on-field defeats to off-field meltdowns that made it an annus horriblis for South Africa.
Which ODI pair is greater: Tendulkar and Ganguly or Kohli and Sharma?
Ian Chappell says Indian fans have been fortunate to be able to watch four of the best short-form batsmen of all time.
Ian Chappell says Indian fans have been fortunate to be able to watch four of the best short-form batsmen of all time.
Timeless veterans take fans back to good old South Africa
Despite initial sparse crowds and chaotic changes at CSA, the MSL had its high points, and it belonged to the big names of years past, a reminder of what South Africa was and could be. Firdose Moonda takes stock.
Despite initial sparse crowds and chaotic changes at CSA, the MSL had its high points, and it belonged to the big names of years past, a reminder of what South Africa was and could be. Firdose Moonda takes stock.
ABD, the five finals, and everything else you need to know about #BBL09
And while the MSL has wound down, Australia's Big Bash League has just entered its ninth edition. Will it turn out to be among its most memorable? Srinath Sripath has the CliffsNotes.
And while the MSL has wound down, Australia's Big Bash League has just entered its ninth edition. Will it turn out to be among its most memorable? Srinath Sripath has the CliffsNotes.
'I'm still having therapy from that Boxing Day Test match in 1987'
Remember the last time Australia and New Zealand played a Boxing Day Test? Danny Morrison, Mike Whitney and Tony Dodemaide do, and they're reminiscing about it with Alagappan Muthu.
Remember the last time Australia and New Zealand played a Boxing Day Test? Danny Morrison, Mike Whitney and Tony Dodemaide do, and they're reminiscing about it with Alagappan Muthu.
Life as a Kolpak
Daniel Gallan delves into the life of Kolpak players and finds that race, privilege, political circumstances and opportunities are all intertwined in their decision to leave South Africa to play and earn money in the UK.
Daniel Gallan delves into the life of Kolpak players and finds that race, privilege, political circumstances and opportunities are all intertwined in their decision to leave South Africa to play and earn money in the UK.
When was the last time a Test in Melbourne had no play scheduled for Boxing Day?
And which debutant bowler's only Test wicket is Sachin Tendulkar? Ace the last TCM quiz of the decade for bragging rights.
And which debutant bowler's only Test wicket is Sachin Tendulkar? Ace the last TCM quiz of the decade for bragging rights.