In Case You Missed It: Insults and injuries
Our best content from last week
ESPNcricinfo staff
10-Jun-2019
Will the dark horses gallop again? • Getty Images
Ten days into the World Cup and we already have some big winners and losers. New Zealand have won all three of their games so far, though they are yet to be seriously tested. India have won two of two, while England and Australia have won two of three matches each. The big losers so far have been Afghanistan and South Africa, who have each lost all the three matches they have played. But the one-sided contests of the first few matches have given way to competitive games, despite injuries claiming some big names. Here's your cheat sheet to the events of last week.
Victory a tangle of threads that can't be untangled, unless it's Pakistan doing the untangling
Last week started with a big upset as Pakistan beat out favourites England in the sixth match of the World Cup. Never mind that they just broke an 11-match losing streak, this Pakistan is not as bad as that might suggest, says Osman Samiuddin as he tries to make sense of the win - as did everyone else. George Dobell, in trying to make sense of England's loss, says none of the reasons had anything to do with Jos Buttler's near-miraculous innings.
Last week started with a big upset as Pakistan beat out favourites England in the sixth match of the World Cup. Never mind that they just broke an 11-match losing streak, this Pakistan is not as bad as that might suggest, says Osman Samiuddin as he tries to make sense of the win - as did everyone else. George Dobell, in trying to make sense of England's loss, says none of the reasons had anything to do with Jos Buttler's near-miraculous innings.
AB de Villiers sought World Cup recall, SA team management said no
The other big story of last week that tumbled out in the wake of South Africa's poor form in this World Cup was de Villiers' last-ditch offer to come out of retirement, made in May, just 24 hours before the selectors unveiled their final 15-man squad for the tournament. Cricket South Africa said the "decision was based on principle; had to be fair to the team", while coach Ottis Gibson would much rather people just focused on the cricket. Firdose Moonda asks: did AB de Villiers want to have his cake and eat it too?
The other big story of last week that tumbled out in the wake of South Africa's poor form in this World Cup was de Villiers' last-ditch offer to come out of retirement, made in May, just 24 hours before the selectors unveiled their final 15-man squad for the tournament. Cricket South Africa said the "decision was based on principle; had to be fair to the team", while coach Ottis Gibson would much rather people just focused on the cricket. Firdose Moonda asks: did AB de Villiers want to have his cake and eat it too?
Injured Dale Steyn ruled out of World Cup, Beuran Hendricks named replacement
And for South Africa, the hits keep coming. Just before the revelation about de Villiers, news broke that a second injury to Dale Steyn's shoulder has not responded to treatment and has ruled him out of bowling for the foreseeable future.
And for South Africa, the hits keep coming. Just before the revelation about de Villiers, news broke that a second injury to Dale Steyn's shoulder has not responded to treatment and has ruled him out of bowling for the foreseeable future.
Ash Barty praises 'amazing' cricket experience after French Open victory
There was a bit of cricket at Roland Garros this week as Australia's Ash Barty - formerly of Brisbane Heat - took the women's Grand Slam title. Barty had stepped away from tennis in 2014 and a year later signed for Brisbane Heat in the WBBL.
There was a bit of cricket at Roland Garros this week as Australia's Ash Barty - formerly of Brisbane Heat - took the women's Grand Slam title. Barty had stepped away from tennis in 2014 and a year later signed for Brisbane Heat in the WBBL.
Mohammad Shahzad ruled out of World Cup with knee injury
Afghanistan have suffered yet another setback with opening batsman and wicketkeeper Shahzad being ruled unfit. Ikram Alikhil has been named replacement wicketkeeper for the remainder of the tournament. Afghanistan have lost all three of their World Cup matches so far; Jarrod Kimber bemoans their self sabotage.
Afghanistan have suffered yet another setback with opening batsman and wicketkeeper Shahzad being ruled unfit. Ikram Alikhil has been named replacement wicketkeeper for the remainder of the tournament. Afghanistan have lost all three of their World Cup matches so far; Jarrod Kimber bemoans their self sabotage.
ICC says no to dagger emblem on MS Dhoni's gloves
While everyone waded into the debate over the appropriateness of Dhoni wearing a military symbol on his glove, the ICC pointed to its rules that expressly forbade anything but manufacturer's logos on equipment. The BCCI called it a "non-issue"; Dhoni, meanwhile, quietly switched to another pair of gloves for the match against Australia.
While everyone waded into the debate over the appropriateness of Dhoni wearing a military symbol on his glove, the ICC pointed to its rules that expressly forbade anything but manufacturer's logos on equipment. The BCCI called it a "non-issue"; Dhoni, meanwhile, quietly switched to another pair of gloves for the match against Australia.
Are these the most remarkable shots in modern cricket?
Jarrod Kimber lines up 11, from Gayle, Kohli, Buttler, Williamson and others.
Jarrod Kimber lines up 11, from Gayle, Kohli, Buttler, Williamson and others.
Brearley's lecture, Warnie's diet, and Mickey's love for Pakistan
Plenty of action (and wining and dining) for Mark Nicholas as the World Cup kicks off.
Plenty of action (and wining and dining) for Mark Nicholas as the World Cup kicks off.
Ian Chappell: Long live the 50-over game
This World Cup cup so far has belonged to the bowlers, and it has shown that the ODI format is worth preserving.
This World Cup cup so far has belonged to the bowlers, and it has shown that the ODI format is worth preserving.