In Case You Missed It: Mahmudullah's swansong, England's win, and The Hundred's brain drain
Our best content from the week gone by
Deepti Unni
17-Jul-2021
It was a quiet farewell for Mahudullah, who made 150 in his last Test for Bangladesh • BCB
Covid-19 continues to make its presence felt even as the cricket summer hits its peak: this week India's limited overs series in Sri Lanka had to pushed back after positive tests in the hosts' camp, while in England Rishabh Pant, who is part of India's Test squad, tested positive and had to quarantine, along with other players and support staff. Elsewhere, the Hundred is finally ready for kick-off, even if the teams are almost unrecognisable from when they were first announced.
Mitchell Marsh's all-round brilliance and Mitchell Starc's final over earn Australia first win
Australia broke their three-match losing streak with a win in the fourth ODI against West Indies. Fabian Allen briefly threatened to win the match with four late sixes but Starc stymied Andre Russell with four yorkers in the last over.
Australia broke their three-match losing streak with a win in the fourth ODI against West Indies. Fabian Allen briefly threatened to win the match with four late sixes but Starc stymied Andre Russell with four yorkers in the last over.
James Vince trumps Babar Azam's 158 as England seal stunning 332 chase
A career-best 158 by Azam wasn't enough for Pakistan to salvage a win after a maiden international hundred by Vince - a moment he says he never thought would come - saw England seal the series 3-0. Osman Samiuddin has his eye on Saqib Mahmood, in whom he sees the influence of Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee, but who has channelled their moods into moulding himself as a complete England package..
A career-best 158 by Azam wasn't enough for Pakistan to salvage a win after a maiden international hundred by Vince - a moment he says he never thought would come - saw England seal the series 3-0. Osman Samiuddin has his eye on Saqib Mahmood, in whom he sees the influence of Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee, but who has channelled their moods into moulding himself as a complete England package..
Fatima Sana, Nashra Sandhu and Omaima Sohail guide Pakistan Women to victory
Pakistan's women had more luck than their male counterparts, eking out a solitary win after losing the first three ODIs. Kyshona Knight made 88 for West Indies Women before the batting collapsed from 171 for 2 to 210 all out.
Pakistan's women had more luck than their male counterparts, eking out a solitary win after losing the first three ODIs. Kyshona Knight made 88 for West Indies Women before the batting collapsed from 171 for 2 to 210 all out.
Mahmudullah shines in Test swansong as Taskin, Miraz hand Bangladesh big win in Harare
Zimbabwe lost by 220 runs after Mahmudullah made 150 not out in his farewell Test, one marked by a strange silence, says Mohammad Isam .
Zimbabwe lost by 220 runs after Mahmudullah made 150 not out in his farewell Test, one marked by a strange silence, says Mohammad Isam .
Andy Balbirnie century sets up Ireland's upset against South Africa
Tector, Dockrell and the bowlers combined to set up Ireland's first ODI win against South Africa after Balbirnie's 102. The two sides have faced off in seven ODIs.
Tector, Dockrell and the bowlers combined to set up Ireland's first ODI win against South Africa after Balbirnie's 102. The two sides have faced off in seven ODIs.
Has silly season come early to England this year?
There's a Shakespearean comedy, or three, being scripted this English summer, and Alan Gardner has front-row seats. George Dobell finds very little to smile about, as the Hundred cannibalises county squads to fill in the gaps left by withdrawn foreign players. In its quest for populist cricket, hasthe ECB failed the game itself?
There's a Shakespearean comedy, or three, being scripted this English summer, and Alan Gardner has front-row seats. George Dobell finds very little to smile about, as the Hundred cannibalises county squads to fill in the gaps left by withdrawn foreign players. In its quest for populist cricket, hasthe ECB failed the game itself?
1981, the year of Botham, Willis, Brearley, magic
Mark Nicholas harks 40 years back to one of the greatest of all Test series.
Mark Nicholas harks 40 years back to one of the greatest of all Test series.
1983 World Cup winner Yashpal Sharma dies aged 66
Maninder Singh remembers the gritty cricketer - he was the second-highest run-getter for India at the 1983 World Cup. "While doing commentary with him, I felt I was learning cricket all over again", he says.
Maninder Singh remembers the gritty cricketer - he was the second-highest run-getter for India at the 1983 World Cup. "While doing commentary with him, I felt I was learning cricket all over again", he says.
Where does traditional fingerspin fit into T20?
Forget flight and deception, in the shortest format offspinners are just looking to give the batter one, says Cameron Ponsonby.
Forget flight and deception, in the shortest format offspinners are just looking to give the batter one, says Cameron Ponsonby.
Heather Knight: 'The first time I was at Lord's they had giant prawns on the table'
The England women's captain on her love for seafood, the best cook in the team, and the Vietnamese salad recipe she won't share.
The England women's captain on her love for seafood, the best cook in the team, and the Vietnamese salad recipe she won't share.
Nantie Hayward: 'There's nothing better to watch than Allan running in like that'
The former South Africa fast bowler looks back at a legendary duel he wishes he had been part of, in Wish I'd Done That.
The former South Africa fast bowler looks back at a legendary duel he wishes he had been part of, in Wish I'd Done That.
Watch: 360 Batter: Sanjay Manjrekar
What goes into the making of Manjrekar's ideal cricketer? A dash of Sunil Gavaskar, a pinch of Zaheer Abbas, a cut of Gundappa Viswanath, and more.
What goes into the making of Manjrekar's ideal cricketer? A dash of Sunil Gavaskar, a pinch of Zaheer Abbas, a cut of Gundappa Viswanath, and more.
Deepti Unni is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo