In Case You Missed It: New Zealand win the WTC, Multan Sultans take the PSL title
Our best content from the week gone by
Deepti Unni
26-Jun-2021
Ace of mace: New Zealand's pace quartet celebrate their win • ICC/Getty Images
Blighted by rain and plagued by low light, the World Test Championship final was threatening to be a washout before a final sun-soaked day brought respite, and the inaugural title to New Zealand. A few hundred miles away the women's Test had ended in a draw, but India had reasons for cheer. And the PSL found its 2021 champion - first-timers the Multan Sultans beat 2017 winners Peshawar Zalmi. Here's a catch-up of all that you may have missed.
New Zealand trump India to become Test world champions
Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson fittingly took the side home after India's collapse on the final day. It's not luck, it's not a fluke, says Jarrod Kimber. New Zealand deserved it. Andrew Miller concurs: when it comes to the crunch, no one digs deep, get down and gets dirty to get it done like New Zealand.
Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson fittingly took the side home after India's collapse on the final day. It's not luck, it's not a fluke, says Jarrod Kimber. New Zealand deserved it. Andrew Miller concurs: when it comes to the crunch, no one digs deep, get down and gets dirty to get it done like New Zealand.
In Kyle Jamieson, Kimber sees fast-bowling perfection. And while the WTC got its fitting finale in the end, for the first couple of days it almost looked like it might not happen. Mark Nicholas was there.
Spectacular Sneh Rana stars in India's great escape
The one-off women's Test between England and India ended in a draw, but the scoreline belied the many twists and turns of a thrilling contest. Sneh Rana made an unbeaten 80 to defy England on the final day. Shafali Verma was player of the match for her 96 and 63 on debut - a true vindication of her talent, says Annesha Ghosh.
The one-off women's Test between England and India ended in a draw, but the scoreline belied the many twists and turns of a thrilling contest. Sneh Rana made an unbeaten 80 to defy England on the final day. Shafali Verma was player of the match for her 96 and 63 on debut - a true vindication of her talent, says Annesha Ghosh.
Final defeat leaves India's batting in the spotlight
India's sudden collapse on the final day of the WTC final put the batting - and Rishabh Pant's bold approach - on the spot. No need for rash judgements, says Nagraj Gollapudi, but a few questions loom ahead of the England series.
India's sudden collapse on the final day of the WTC final put the batting - and Rishabh Pant's bold approach - on the spot. No need for rash judgements, says Nagraj Gollapudi, but a few questions loom ahead of the England series.
Multan Sultans clinch maiden PSL title
They surged to their first-ever title win on the back of Sohaib Maqsood and Rilee Rossouw fifties as Peshawar fell well short in the tall chase. It was an especially great run for Maqsood, who just before the final had been called up to the national squad, where he hopes to start in the top order, his preferred batting spot.
They surged to their first-ever title win on the back of Sohaib Maqsood and Rilee Rossouw fifties as Peshawar fell well short in the tall chase. It was an especially great run for Maqsood, who just before the final had been called up to the national squad, where he hopes to start in the top order, his preferred batting spot.
Before the final, it was announced that Haider Ali had been suspended from the match following a breach of bubble protocols. His suspension also extends to the tour England and West Indies following the PSL - he'd spoken to Umar Farooq just a few days earlier about how Peshawar Zalmi gave him the confidence to break into the Pakistan squad. Osman Samiuddin runs the rule over another PSL player, Asif Ali, who is a middle-order attack machine for Islamabad United but a shadow of that player when he's playing for the national side.
Keshav Maharaj hat-trick secures South Africa's 2-0 sweep
The left-arm spinner took 5 for 36 to help South Africa complete their first series win away from home in more than four years, and he's hoping his success can forge a path for South Africa's spinners of the future.
The left-arm spinner took 5 for 36 to help South Africa complete their first series win away from home in more than four years, and he's hoping his success can forge a path for South Africa's spinners of the future.
Liam Livingstone steers England home in rain-affected low-scorer
Sri Lanka gave England a fright defending the below-par score but conceded the series with one T20I left to play.
Sri Lanka gave England a fright defending the below-par score but conceded the series with one T20I left to play.
Who's got the most stumpings in a first-class match?
And what's the highest score by a batter in a final first-class game? Steven Lynch knows.
And what's the highest score by a batter in a final first-class game? Steven Lynch knows.
Nick Hockley: 'We won't rest until we are truly representative of the community we serve'
The Cricket Australia CEO spoke to Andrew McGlashan, reflect on the last 12 months and the challenges and opportunities of the future.
The Cricket Australia CEO spoke to Andrew McGlashan, reflect on the last 12 months and the challenges and opportunities of the future.
Photo feature: Seating at the cricket
Pictures from and of the best seats in the house.
Pictures from and of the best seats in the house.
Paul Stirling: 'I remember thinking, "That's the pinnacle of the game and Stokes has achieved it"'
The Ireland batter on a modern classic innings he wishes he'd played.
The Ireland batter on a modern classic innings he wishes he'd played.
Watch: 25 Questions with Smriti Mandhana
Which team-mate would Mandhana not sit next to on a long flight? We asked the India batter that and 24 other questions.
Which team-mate would Mandhana not sit next to on a long flight? We asked the India batter that and 24 other questions.
Deepti Unni is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo