In Case You Missed it: Joe Root rides high, Mithali Raj calls time
Our best content from the week gone by
ESPNcricinfo staff
11-Jun-2022
Root to the top: Joe Root became the 14th batter to 10,000 runs, and the joint-youngest with Alastair Cook • Getty Images
England's new era under new captain Ben Stokes began with a bang, as former captain Joe Root hit peak form and yet another milestone in his prolific year on the way to a win against New Zealand. Meanwhile another captain hung up their hat - Mithali Raj called time on her 23-year career, leaving as the most capped player in the women's game. Here's everything you need to catch up on the action this week, including Pakistan's win over West Indies and Australia's over Sri Lanka.
Joe Root's 115* seals England march to victory
Joe Root knocked down two milestones simultaneously as he took England to a win in the first Test against New Zealand. The former captain passes 10,000 runs and brought up his 26th Test hundred as he and Ben Foakes completed the fourth-innings chase on the fourth morning. Andrew Miller says Root's feat and prolific form was all the more notable given England's recent woes in the format, and Mark Nicholas agrees, saying Root is right up with the likes of Hutton, May, Gooch and Cook. Ian Chappell believes England need to focus more on the bowlers' wicket-taking capabilities, and trade containment for attack.
Joe Root knocked down two milestones simultaneously as he took England to a win in the first Test against New Zealand. The former captain passes 10,000 runs and brought up his 26th Test hundred as he and Ben Foakes completed the fourth-innings chase on the fourth morning. Andrew Miller says Root's feat and prolific form was all the more notable given England's recent woes in the format, and Mark Nicholas agrees, saying Root is right up with the likes of Hutton, May, Gooch and Cook. Ian Chappell believes England need to focus more on the bowlers' wicket-taking capabilities, and trade containment for attack.
Babar Azam ton, Khushdil Shah cameo ensure Pakistan win a thriller
Shai Hope's century gave West Indies 305 to defend, and with their death bowling, they nearly pulled off a win in the first of their three ODIs, but Babar, and Khushdil - who Danyal Rasool thinks might be the answer to Pakistan's brittle middle order - had other plans. And even as the teams battled it out in the 40-degree heat of Multan, Osman Samiuddin wondered if ODIs are still relevant, given how the format has been squeezed for calendar space by the rise of T20, and looking like it's only going to get worse in the next FTP.
Shai Hope's century gave West Indies 305 to defend, and with their death bowling, they nearly pulled off a win in the first of their three ODIs, but Babar, and Khushdil - who Danyal Rasool thinks might be the answer to Pakistan's brittle middle order - had other plans. And even as the teams battled it out in the 40-degree heat of Multan, Osman Samiuddin wondered if ODIs are still relevant, given how the format has been squeezed for calendar space by the rise of T20, and looking like it's only going to get worse in the next FTP.
Babar or Kohli? Shaheen or Shahid?
We force Shaheen Afridi to make some tough choices in You Have To Answer.
We force Shaheen Afridi to make some tough choices in You Have To Answer.
In Sri Lanka's hour of economic and political crisis, their cricketers have spoken up
The country is on the brink of economic collapse - even as Australia's tour of Sri Lanka has gone ahead, with the tourists winning the T20I series - brought on by poor governance, but in its time of need, sportspeople have added their voices to those of common citizens, says Andrew Fidel Fernando.
The country is on the brink of economic collapse - even as Australia's tour of Sri Lanka has gone ahead, with the tourists winning the T20I series - brought on by poor governance, but in its time of need, sportspeople have added their voices to those of common citizens, says Andrew Fidel Fernando.
Mithali Raj retires from international cricket
The former India captain called time on her storied career "as the team is in the capable hands of some very talented young players." Shashank Kishore says Raj leaves the game as its most prolific batter, but she should also be remembered for all the work she did to bring the women's game into the mainstream in India.
The former India captain called time on her storied career "as the team is in the capable hands of some very talented young players." Shashank Kishore says Raj leaves the game as its most prolific batter, but she should also be remembered for all the work she did to bring the women's game into the mainstream in India.
Photo feature: Going up a level
We take in stairs, in our collection of cricket photos this month.
We take in stairs, in our collection of cricket photos this month.
Who took a wicket off the first and last balls of Gujarat Titans' winning campaign this IPL season?
And who was the only batter to be out for 99? Now that the 2022 IPL is over, take our quiz and see how well you followed it.
And who was the only batter to be out for 99? Now that the 2022 IPL is over, take our quiz and see how well you followed it.
How many 'team hat-tricks' have there been in Tests?
Also, what is the record for the most men out for 1 in a Test? A Test special in this week's Ask Steven.
Also, what is the record for the most men out for 1 in a Test? A Test special in this week's Ask Steven.