In Case You Missed It: Minor hurts, major stars
Our best content from last week
ESPNcricinfo staff
27-May-2019
The only time the World Cup is within easy reach • IDI via Getty Images
We're here and it's all happening. This is the week the top 10 cricketing nations battle rain and injuries, and hopefully each other, to world dominance. We're six games and two washouts into the warm-ups and the World Cup officially starts on Thursday. Who will play? Who will win? Who will get soaked to the skin? Grab a raincoat and head to our rolling coverage page if you like all your World Cup news, fixtures and features in one place. If you're only now catching up on the World Cup hype, here's a handy A to Z explainer. Keep checking back for more.
Who will win the World Cup? The captains have their say
Is it England? Or India? Or Australia? Or is there a dark horse lurking? The competing captains have answers.
Is it England? Or India? Or Australia? Or is there a dark horse lurking? The competing captains have answers.
The boy called Boom
Sharda Ugra delves into all the things that went into the making of Jasprit Bumrah, India's fast-bowling superhero.
Sharda Ugra delves into all the things that went into the making of Jasprit Bumrah, India's fast-bowling superhero.
Rashid Khan: Afghan, nomad, superstar
He's the world best T20 bowler, the third best in one-day internationals, and possibly the most recognised Afghan in the world. But his story is also the story of Afghanistan cricket, of the country, of a team in exile, of conflict and displacement, and of joy and hope. Sidharth Monga charts the rise of Rashid Khan, who came through war and displacement to become the best in the world.
He's the world best T20 bowler, the third best in one-day internationals, and possibly the most recognised Afghan in the world. But his story is also the story of Afghanistan cricket, of the country, of a team in exile, of conflict and displacement, and of joy and hope. Sidharth Monga charts the rise of Rashid Khan, who came through war and displacement to become the best in the world.
Boult and Jadeja stand out as New Zealand thump India
With everyone expecting 300-plus scores, India were bundled out for 179 in just 39.2 overs in their first warm-up game, against New Zealand, but Virat Kohli said he was pleased with India's lower-order fightback.
With everyone expecting 300-plus scores, India were bundled out for 179 in just 39.2 overs in their first warm-up game, against New Zealand, but Virat Kohli said he was pleased with India's lower-order fightback.
No fracture for Vijay Shankar, team confident of recovery
The medical team will continue assessing the allrounder's progress after he left a training session midway when he was hit on the right forearm. Earlier, Shankar had spoken to Deivarayan Muthu about how he was confident in his abilities and looking forward to the challenges of the World Cup.
The medical team will continue assessing the allrounder's progress after he left a training session midway when he was hit on the right forearm. Earlier, Shankar had spoken to Deivarayan Muthu about how he was confident in his abilities and looking forward to the challenges of the World Cup.
England limp towards World Cup with Mark Wood a serious doubt
England had to press assistant coach Paul Collingwood into play at their warm-up game against Australia when bowler Mark Wood was taken off the field complaining of pain in his foot. The day before the game, captain Eoin Morgan suffered a flake fracture to his finger and England's list of walking wounded has only increased after a narrow defeat. It's a reminder for the team, says George Dobell, of all that could go wrong.
England had to press assistant coach Paul Collingwood into play at their warm-up game against Australia when bowler Mark Wood was taken off the field complaining of pain in his foot. The day before the game, captain Eoin Morgan suffered a flake fracture to his finger and England's list of walking wounded has only increased after a narrow defeat. It's a reminder for the team, says George Dobell, of all that could go wrong.
Listen: How do England NOT win the World Cup?
Alan Gardner, Andrew Miller and Osman Samiuddin list the ways Eoin Morgan's men may not lift the World Cup trophy in the Switch Hit podcast.
Alan Gardner, Andrew Miller and Osman Samiuddin list the ways Eoin Morgan's men may not lift the World Cup trophy in the Switch Hit podcast.
Crowd abuse is 'water off a duck's back' as Steven Smith arrives in England with a hundred
Moeen Ali may have been worried for Smith and David Warner, but he needn't have. Despite the boos and jeering, Smith guided Australia to a comfortable win with a century, an ominous reminder of the team's World Cup form.
Moeen Ali may have been worried for Smith and David Warner, but he needn't have. Despite the boos and jeering, Smith guided Australia to a comfortable win with a century, an ominous reminder of the team's World Cup form.
'I was ready to walk away from the game because of the controversies after the World T20'
India's T20I captain talks to Annesha Ghosh about the mental struggles she faced, and what the team needs to do to have a shot at winning the World T20 in Australia next year
India's T20I captain talks to Annesha Ghosh about the mental struggles she faced, and what the team needs to do to have a shot at winning the World T20 in Australia next year
'When I look in a batsman's eyes and see fear, it'll pump me up to bowl even faster'
It's been a long way to the World Cup from Race Course, Jamaica, but West Indies fast bowler Oshane Thomas is just getting started, finds Saurabh Somani.
It's been a long way to the World Cup from Race Course, Jamaica, but West Indies fast bowler Oshane Thomas is just getting started, finds Saurabh Somani.
How far can hate take Imam-ul-Haq?
He's famous as nephew first, human later, and plays because uncle - a legend, former captain, and accidental comedy hero - is now selector. All of Pakistan seemingly loathes him for his privilege. How has that worked out for Imam-ul-Haq? Pretty well, says Osman Samiuddin.
He's famous as nephew first, human later, and plays because uncle - a legend, former captain, and accidental comedy hero - is now selector. All of Pakistan seemingly loathes him for his privilege. How has that worked out for Imam-ul-Haq? Pretty well, says Osman Samiuddin.
'I'm most effective when I'm operating at 140kph'
Mohammad Isam talks to New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry on how he learned to bowl fast, and what it's like to bowl with Southee and Boult.
Mohammad Isam talks to New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry on how he learned to bowl fast, and what it's like to bowl with Southee and Boult.